Scottish Women's Football

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Celtic are winless in eight Old Firm derbies - but head coach Elena Sadiku insists there's more pressure on Rangers in Friday night's meeting at Ibrox.

Celtic have failed to beat Rangers since March 2024, losing five and drawing three of the subsequent meetings.

However, Sadiku's third-place side are three points above the Ibrox team heading into the latest derby, which you can watch live on BBC Alba and the BBC Sport website and app.

"I'm so excited, I said to the players yesterday, the Glasgow derbies are the best games, we know what it means," said Sadiku.

"It's more than just a game, the most exciting part of playing in this league is playing Rangers.

"The belief is going to be stronger than tactics. The desire, the togetherness and everything that we've talked about during this week is going to be very, very important.

"The players have been brilliant this week. The energy, the vibe, the focus. I'm really happy with how this week has gone.

"We know we need to learn from the previous game when we lost and make sure that we try to execute much, much better.

"There's a bigger pressure on Rangers because they're behind us but we have a lot of games in front of us.

"It's about showing up and showing desire and showing passion and showing how much we want it."

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Head coach Leanne Crichton insists there are "so many positives" to playing at Ibrox despite Rangers' patchy record there as they eye Old Firm derby victory on Friday night.

Rangers have won just one of their three league games at Ibrox this season - losing to Glasgow City and drawing with Hearts - before Celtic's visit to Govan, live on BBC Alba and the BBC Sport website and app.

"It's a brilliant opportunity, any Friday night game for me always feels better than a Sunday afternoon," said Crichton.

"I don't know if it's just the evening fixture under the lights. The fact that more often than not more people will come out to the game. We hope we can lean on that. We hope the fans will come and support us and get behind us.

"The players love it. They thrive in it. I know people go on about Ibrox and at times it's not been kind in terms of the results we would have wanted and that's been the same this season on a couple of occasions, but performances have been there.

"There's been so many positives. I don't think you can complain or be frustrated at playing at Ibrox. The arena that it is, the quality of the surface, everything it gives us in terms of the preparation and the pre-match experience, that coupled with the fan experience and the game throughout. Hopefully we can maximise that."

Crichton, who was appointed on a three-year deal in the summer, won the first meeting with Celtic 2-0 in September and is craving another derby triumph with her side fifth in the table after 10 games, nine points behind leaders Glasgow City.

"In Glasgow and to both teams, it's one that you really want to win," the former Scotland midfielder added.

"It's one that you love the fact it's in the diary. I really enjoyed the experience earlier on in the season and was even more pleased and delighted with our performance that day and the result. Hopefully we can go and replicate that."

Watch the goals as Glasgow City draw 1-1 at home to Sporting in the first leg of their Europa Cup last-16 tie.

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Glasgow City's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa Cup remain in the balance as Sporting Club came from behind to earn a draw at Petershill.

The SWPL leaders took a first-half lead in the first leg of their last-16 tie when Natalia Wrobel lashed a precise shot into the bottom corner from inside the box.

However, Telma Encarnacao's superb volley from a corner kick pulled the Portuguese club level with 15 minutes to go.

Glasgow City midfielder Natalia Wrobel: "It was really tough. High intensity for 90 minutes. I think we deserved to win the game. But in the second leg we'll go for it.

"We were organised defensively and tried to transfer the ball forward. It was hard but we did our best today. It's 1-1 and we have something to fight for."

Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross: "I felt we lacked a bit of control, especially in the second half. I wanted us to get the ball down and play a bit more football. Still, we had chances and it's finely poised for the second leg.

"We played really well in the first half and we had the control we wanted. But good teams are always going to come back into it and they did in the second half.

"I still thought we defended well at times. And it's taken a really decent goal for them to get back into the game. So a lot of pleasing aspects for us but a lot to improve ahead of next week as well."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta has been talking to the media after selecting her squad for the upcoming friendlies against Ukraine and China.

Here are the key points:

• "Let's build on what we've built so far" is Andreatta's message prior to fixtures that mark Scotland's final preparation before World Cup qualifying starts next year.

• She adds: "Two tough games against teams that are in form, that are flying high in confidence, but so are we. Two teams who are taking these two games very seriously."

• Andreatta - who has one win in her opening four games - is pleased with the progress she has seen since taking charge, but says there are aspects "we need to tighten up", adding: "There's things we can always improve on and with this group, that's what they're hungry to do."

• The former Australia assistant coach called for fans to get behind the men's and women's teams as they seek World Cup qualification: "Doesn't matter if it's a Caroline [Weir] or [Scott] McTominay wearing the tartan blue. Get behind both teams because we're representing you and this nation to do you proud."

• On Aston Villa midfielder Miri Taylor's first call-up after switching allegiance from England, Andreatta says the 25-year-old comes into camp with good form having "shown her qualities". While it is a "very competitive position" in the squad, Taylor's "holding midfield qualities is something want to look at".

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Glasgow City forward Sofia Maatta has been named the SWPL player of the month for October.

The Finland international scored and recorded an assist in City's 2-1 win against Celtic as Leanne Ross' table-topping side maintained their unbeaten domestic start with two league victories and a draw.

Maatta also netted a double in the 5-0 SWPL Cup victory over Hamilton.

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Gary Holt has been appointed manager of Partick Thistle women.

The former Scotland and Kilmarnock midfielder, 52, replaces David Elliot, who stepped down after five months in charge of the SWPL side.

Holt has managed Falkirk and Livingston's men's teams and has also held academy and sporting director roles.

He takes over a Thistle side second bottom of the SWPL, five points above Hamilton Academical and two points below Aberdeen. Thistle host Aberdeen on Sunday.

"We're delighted to welcome Gary to the football club," Partick Thistle women CEO Caroline Mackie said.

"His experience and coaching record speak for themselves. His enthusiasm to drive this club forward and develop players was clear to see from the very first conversation we had with him."

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Holders Rangers will host Old Firm rivals Celtic in the semi-finals of the SWPL Cup.

Current league leaders Glasgow City visit reigning champions Hibernian in the other tie.

The matches are to be played on Sunday, 1 February.

Rangers are bidding to win the trophy for a fourth consecutive season.

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David Elliot has stepped down as Partick Thistle head coach after just five months in charge of the SWPL side.

Thistle, who finished seventh last season under Brian Graham, currently sit second bottom of the top flight with with one win in 10 games having lost four in a row.

Elliot initially joined the coaching staff near the end of last term before succeeding Graham, who joined Scottish Premiership club Falkirk on a one-year playing deal.

In a statement, Thistle women's CEO Caroline Mackie thanked Elliot for his contribution to the club.

"David leaves with our immense gratitude for everything he has given to the team over the past few months," said Mackie.

"He is always welcome back at Petershill Park - and, of course, at Firhill - where he remains a huge fans' favourite from his playing days with the men's side."

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Rangers beat Partick Thistle 3-0 to progress to the semi-final of the League Cup.

Laura Berry got Rangers off the mark with 17 minutes on the clock before fellow striker Katie Wilkinson doubled their advantage just six minutes later.

Eilidh Austin grabbed a third before the break to give Leanne Crichton's side a comfortable advantage at half-time.

Partick Thistle held firm in the second half and Rangers failed to extend their advantage any further.

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Hibernian came from a goal down to knock Hearts out of the League Cup with a narrow 3-2 victory in Edinburgh.

Hearts took the lead at the Oriam after just 13 minutes when striker Georgia Timms slotted Sade Adamolekun's pass into the back of the net.

Kathleen McGovern got the equaliser for Hibs before the half hour mark and Tegan Bowie added to the visitors' advantage just before half-time.

Eilidh Adams grabbed a third just six minutes into the second half when she headed home from Ellis Notley's corner.

Bayley Hutchison pulled one back for the hosts in the 89th minute to make it a nervy end at the Oriam but Eva Olid's side couldn't complete the comeback.

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Glasgow City scored two goals in six minutes as they struggled past Aberdeen to book their spot in the League Cup semi-final with a 2-0 win at Petershill Park.

The Dons, who sit eighth in the SWPL, held the league leaders for 70 minutes before Nicole Kozlova broke the deadlock with a strike from range.

Substitute Katie Lockwood grabbed a second for the hosts just minutes after entering the pitch when she turned home Lisa Evans' cross.

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Celtic secured their place in the League Cup semi-final with a thumping 9-1 win over SWPL 2 outfit Queen's Park.

First half goals from Maria McAneny, Momo Nakao, Morgan Cross, Emma Lawton and a penalty from Saoirse Noonan gave the hosts a 7-0 lead at the break.

Lawton added to Celtic's advantage in the second half before McAneny made it nine.

Amelie Chomczuk pulled one back for the Spiders with 20 minutes to play but it was only a consolation.