Scottish Women's Football

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Rangers have signed China defender Li Mengwen on a one-year deal following her departure from Brighton.

The 30-year-old spent 14 years with Chinese club Jiangsu and won four trophies before joining Paris St-Germain on loan in 2022.

Mengwen made a permanent move to Brighton the following year and spent last season on loan with fellow WSL side West Ham, making 16 appearances.

The right-back has been capped 35 times for China, scoring twice, and played for her country in the 2023 World Cup.

"We're delighted to welcome Li to Rangers," head coach Leanne Crichton said.

"She brings a wealth of international and Women's Super League experience and her traits will really complement the way we want to play.

"Her composure in possession and defensive abilities will add real quality and also further depth to our squad, we're excited to see the impact she can have both on and off the pitch."

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Glasgow City strolled into the second qualifying round of the Europa Cup with a 3-0 win away to Athlone Town.

Having won the first leg at home by the same margin, City struck first when Emily Whelan celebrated being back in her homeland with a back-post header on 33 minutes.

City went close to a second on the hour when defender Kimberley Smit nodded just wide from a Lisa Evans corner.

Linda Motlhalo and Erin McLaughlin had shots saved before a penalty gave Nicole Kozlova the chance to double the visitors' lead.

Her spot-kick was well saved but the substitute was able to head home seconds later as the ball was quickly worked back into her path.

A few minutes later, Kozlova grabbed her second with a simple tap-in to wrap up a comfortable victory.

What they said

Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross: "I'm delighted. We wanted to come and give a professional performance, we knew that the tie wasn't over.

"We've been focusing on how to get control of the game and we did that right from the start. We came out and played some really nice football, scored some really good goals as well."

Two-goal forward Nicole Kozlova: "When you're coming off the bench you can see the areas you can exploit, I knew when I came on that's what I had to do. Everybody on the field did their job and it was enjoyable to play and watch.

"When you're a little girl you're dreaming of playing in those European games. We do everything we can to make sure we are playing those games, I'm excited to see where we go next."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Easter Road

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Hibernian exited the Europa Cup after they followed a first-leg thrashing against Inter Milan with a 1-0 defeat at Easter Road.

The reigning SWPL champions had a mountain to climb after a 4-1 loss in Italy and though they were much-improved, they never looked like giving their visitors a scare.

A credible goalless draw appeared likely on a night where the Italians were dominant without doing much with the ball, but the game swung in their favour with 10 minutes to go when home goalkeeper Noa Schumacher was sent off after rushing out her box and blocking Benedetta Glionna going through on goal.

Seventeen-year-old goalkeeper Rowena Armitage came in for only her second Hibs appearance and nearly saw out the clean sheet, but substitute Masa Tomasevic tucked away from close range in stoppage-time.

Long before that there were a few near things for Hibs through Scotland strikers Kathleen McGovern and Eilidh Adams - who scored a superb goal in Milan - while defender Siobhan Hunter had a wild pop at goal from a first-half free kick in her own half.

An unlikely task turned out to be insurmountable and it is Inter who progress into the second qualifying round of the inaugural second-tier competition.

What they said

Hibernian coach Joelle Murray: "When you're in a dressing room after the game with players who are disappointed and frustrated at getting beat 1-0 against a team like Inter Milan, it just speaks volumes. I don't think we deserved it, not at all.

"I think the growth within a week, individually and collectively, was fantastic. We're proud but frustrated because we knew that we were competing. We frustrated them."

Hibernian winger Rosie Livingstone: "I think the fact that we've managed to keep them out for so long in the game, it's frustrating in a sense to sort of have that first game go so against us.

"I think we always play better against better teams. We play faster when we play against teams that play fast too, so I think it kind of worked in our favour a little bit."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Siobhan Hunter wants to hear "no excuses" when Hibernian take to the Easter Road turf and try to overturn their three-goal deficit against Inter Milan in the Europa Cup tonight.

The SWPL champions suffered a 4-1 defeat in Italy last week and have the odds stacked against them - again - to progress in the inaugural European competition.

Grant Scott's side dropped into the second-tier tournament after being knocked out of the Champions League and are already playing their fourth European fixture this season.

Despite a hectic start to the campaign, with their title defence starting with three wins and a derby defeat, the defender doesn't want to hear any complaints come kick-off.

"I think it's easy to make excuses at this level," Hunter said previewing the Inter game, which will be shown live on BBC Alba, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

"It's easy to turn around and say, 'I'm tired, I'm exhausted'... it's a privilege. You have to be grateful for these opportunities. There are players out there that will never do it, never have done it.

"You have to get around each other and make sure you're all up for it. You might be tired, you might be sore, but there's no better competition in the world that you'd rather be in."

Hunter is confident the club can remain in the competition, though they are under no illusions of how tricky the task ahead is.

"We have to pick our moments when we want to jump, when we want to step or when we want to stay," she added.

"We have to be careful and really, really organised.

"We have to believe that we can go and do it at home and there's no more special place to do it than Easter Road."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Erin Halliday (Hamilton): Despite conceding midway through the first half, she recovered well and made a couple of vital stops to restrict Glasgow City to just a 1-0 win. The 18-year-old was well tested and came through with a confident display.

Danique Ypema (Hearts): Composed in possession and certainly has an eye for a pass as she showed with her ball for Lauren Wade's goal against Motherwell. Also not afraid to have a go herself, coming close on a couple of occasions. Kept a clean sheet too.

Linzi Taylor (Hibs): The defender's goal made life more comfortable against Montrose. There was a bit of fortune about it as the rebound fell straight to her, but the the 30-year-old did well to react in a composed manner to score.

Hannah Luke (Celtic): A memorable debut off the bench from the English defender. Her two late corners resulted in two big goals as Celtic completed a late comeback to beat Aberdeen.

Sofia Maatta (Glasgow City): The Finn's impressive assist rate is growing by the game. She added another on Sunday and also came close to scoring with a well-saved shot.

Hannah Stewart (Aberdeen): Despite defeat to Celtic, the captain shone for the Dons with two equalising goals, including an absolute beauty of a header.

Maria McAneny (Celtic): A real driver with her pace and energy. Claimed a fine goal by holding off a Dons player and sending a clever looping finish over the keeper.

Lauren Wade (Hearts): Scored Hearts' second against Motherwell and came close on a number of occasions. A consistent threat racing forward and setting up attacks.

Brogan Hay (Rangers): Quite the impact after her introduction on the hour. The Scotland international had an influence in three of Rangers' four goals. Pick of her work was showing brilliant skill and tenacity in setting up the second, which gave the visitors the lead.

Tegan Bowie (Hibs): Full of energy on the flank and always a threat. Produced three terrific balls to set up Kathleen McGovern's treble.

Kathleen McGovern (Hibs): A second hat-trick of the league season for the 24-year-old. Could have had more goals too, but for the woodwork and some good saves.

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Aberdeen manager Scott Booth: "I said it was always going to be a really tough game against Celtic, but I asked the players for a reaction from last week and I 100% got the reaction.

"At half-time, I said we had to be a bit braver in possession, about getting in behind them, getting a shot away, putting a cross in. To be fair to them in the second half, they were much more on the front foot. The most disappointing thing out there for me is that we lose the game through two corners, when we work on corners a lot.

"We need to keep getting better, keep developing, keep learning from things like today."

Celtic boss Elena Sadiku: "The performance overall was really good. What I'm most proud of is the players' response in the second half when things went against us. They fought really hard for each other.

"It's easy when things go against you to get frustrated and lose focus, but it fired the players up and that togetherness and strength is a key for the win.

"We know how strong we are if we stick to what we're good at. There's great things waiting for us."

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Hearts assistant head coach Paschalis Xanthos: "A very positive afternoon for the team. Three goals, a lot of chances, fluid football. I think the girls started applying what we have been working on through the week.

"We need to get better at finishing all the chances we create but apart from that the team looks ready to go and compete against the good teams and we consider ourselves one of them."

Motherwell boss Paul Brownlie: "I'm disappointed with the result and the performance. I didn't think we were great.

"We were quite limited in terms of the squad which didn't help us. We faced a team that were really good and we couldn't manage that.

"We understand there's a gap, we understand and respect the quality we're up against but the challenge for us is to get closer in these games. We need to maintain the consistency in these games."

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Partick Thistle boss David Elliot: "We were really, really good for 90 minutes. I think tiredness kicked in and we made a few mistakes but over the whole game the girls gave me everything.

"At 1-0 we had one rattled off the bar, Hannah Robinson got the ball caught under her feet so it probably could have been more at half time.

"We had players that cause them problems but we just ran out of legs in the second half I think."

Rangers head coach Leanne Crichton: "It was a day that probably comes with a few frustrations.

"First and foremost we're pleased with the three points. We understand and respect Partick Thistle and the opponent they would be. They're always really tough, they're well organised.

"We fell short of our standards in the first half, we didn't ask enough questions. We probably rode our luck, we could have been 2-0 down at half time but we managed to calm the nerves and the response in the second half was very good."

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Hamilton Accies boss Robert Watson: "We definitely deserved a point. I thought the players were magnificent and they showed a level of maturity when City went down to 10, we didn't get excited.

"At the end of the day Glasgow City are wasting time for the last 10 minutes of the game to get a result against Hamilton Academical.

"Everyone who was at the game knows how close we were to getting something out of the game."

Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross: "It was a bit of a frustrating performance but all in all we came here for three points and that's what we've got.

"When you come and play a team like Hamilton that sit in and pack the box, and their goalkeeper has an outstanding day, it becomes very difficult at times. There's aspects we need to be much better at."

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Hibs boss Grant Scott: "Another excellent goalscoring performance. Kathleen [McGovern] probably had a couple of chances in the first half she probably should have done better on but I think the link up across our font line was exceptional at times.

"We were a bit rusty in the first half but we settled into the game and were much better in the second."

Montrose manager Craig Feroz: "We've been here before, this isn't our first season. We know the start is hard, before the split is difficult but we've proved before that we have got what it takes to stay in this league.

"We'll just get the heads up, go and fight again because we've got a cup final next week."

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Fresh off the back of one Glasgow derby against Celtic last Sunday, Rangers will be hoping for another three points in this weekend's city meeting with Partick Thistle.

Thanks to the 2-0 victory over Celtic at New Douglas Park, Rangers are top of the SWPL table with three wins from four, while Thistle sit seventh with just one victory so far this term.

Both teams have faced changes in the dug-out this summer.

David Elliot replaced Brian Graham as Thistle head coach, while Leanne Crichton was chosen to succeed back-to-back cup double winning boss Jo Potter. And it is fair to say the pair have had contrasting fortunes so far.

After Elliot steered his side to an opening-day victory over Hamilton Academical, Thistle were beaten 5-0 by champions Hibernian before taking a 7-0 hammering by Celtic - then last weekend they were confined to a point away to Aberdeen with a 94th-minute equaliser.

Rangers, on the other hand, got their league campaign up and running with a 6-1 win over Montrose before coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Heart of Midlothian. Crichton's side avoided a later scare to beat Motherwell before last weekend's Old Firm victory.

Two teams in very different form, but there is always the chance for an upset.

How to follow on BBC

Partick Thistle v Rangers will be live on the BBC Sport Scotland website and app, as well as on BBC iPlayer, and it kicks off at 13:00 BST.

Later on, Aberdeen v Celtic will be shown on BBC Alba. It kicks off at 16:10 BST.

You can watch highlights from all the weekend's games on Monday, 15 September at 19:30 BST.

Plus there will be match reports from Sunday's matches on the BBC Sport Scotland website and app.

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Hibs have paid an undisclosed fee to sign defender Scarlett Herron from Shamrock Rovers and also added Peamount United midfielder Jessica Fitzgerald.

Both players are Republic of Ireland Under-19 internationals and have signed two-year contracts with the SWPL champions.

Herron, 20, joined Shamrock Rovers from Athlone Town two years ago and became a regular starter.

Hibs head coach Grant Scott said: "Scarlett is a talented defender we are excited to welcome into our squad. She is powerful and gives us an extra option in a key position.

"Despite her young age, she already has vast experience in the Irish league and has made a strong start to the 2025 season there, so we are naturally excited to see how she continues to develop over here in Scotland."

Fitzgerald, 19, was PFA Ireland young player of the year in 2023 at age 17 after helping Peamount United to win the Premier Division title.

"She's a composed, technically gifted midfielder who will offer so much to our team," said Scott.

"She is a league winner in Ireland and has prior experience in the Champions League, and we're confident her pedigree and experience at such a young age will only enhance our squad."

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Celtic forward Morgan Cross has won the first of the SWPL player of the month award this season.

Cross scored four goals and recorded two assists in August for Elena Sadiku's side.

The 24-year-old netted in Celtic's three opening matches, including a double in the 7-0 rout of Partick Thistle.

Celtic's 100% start was ended with derby defeat to Rangers in September leaving them second in the table.

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Celtic have signed English full-back Hannah Luke on a one-year deal from Blackburn Rovers.

The 23-year-old made 17 appearances for WSL Championship side Blackburn last season.

She previously spent time in the US college system with Creighton University, where she played 25 games, scoring twice and recording four assists.

Head coach Elena Sadiku said: "I'm really excited to bring Hannah to Celtic.

"She's a strong defender who is also comfortable pushing forward and making an impact in the final third.

"Hannah is a player of real quality and I am sure she'll be an important addition to the group."

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Joelle Murray says Hibs should be "proud" of their performance despite the disappointing 4-1 Europa Cup defeat against Inter Milan in Italy.

Eilidh Adams scored a fine goal for the SWPL champions, who have it all to do in next Wednesday's second leg of the first-round qualifier at Easter Road.

"It's not the result we wanted but the girls can take great heart and credit from the performance, they left everything out on the pitch and that's the minimum," said coach Murray.

"That's all we can ask from them. They can be proud, disappointed but proud of the performance they put out. They never let their head down, not once within the 90 minutes.

"All credit to the girls, they played with heart and spirit and you could see that in the performance.

"The fans have been tremendous. They were tremendous in Cyprus, they've been unbelievable out here, and they'll be a massive help next week at Easter Road, the girls deserve a big crowd under the lights on European nights."

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Head coach Leanne Ross was "more than" happy with Glasgow City's 3-0 win over Athlone Town as the SWPL runners-up put themselves in a strong position to progress in the Europa Cup.

City resume the first qualifying round tie in next Wednesday's second leg in County Westmeath.

"With the result, we're more than happy with that," Ross told BBC Alba. "You can see the quality that we have once we do get our foot on the ball and play.

"You can see the dangers that our opponent has. It's by no means done. We need to make sure we go over there and have a professional performance.

"Putting ourselves 3-0 ahead in the tie is certainly what we wanted."

Sofia Maatta set up all three goals, which were scored by Amy Anderson, Linda Motlhalo and Lisa Forrest.

"She's absolutely frightening," said Ross of the Finland international. "She's so dangerous and such a threat for us."

And Maatta added: "I am really happy. I was just trying to be positive and do what I'm good at.

"I would say I'm much more confident now."