Scottish Women's Football

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As season's go, Kathleen McGovern has had a good one.

Thirty-one goals in Hibernian's SWPL-title-winning campaign earned her a much-deserved first Scotland call-up for the final two Nations League games.

She may have missed the initial phone call, twice, but that didn't detract head coach Melissa Andreatta from starting the 22-year-old at Hampden in her first game in charge.

Following an "exciting" first week in camp, McGovern, ended it with a "dream" debut at the national stadium.

"I was really taken back," the forward told Hibs' club media. "I didn't even expect to really play.

"I didn't believe it when people were telling me that it looked like I was going to start. The team came out and I felt my jaw hit the floor a bit. I was like, this is reality, I'm starting at Hampden.

"I just had to try and control my emotions. I was excited and I couldn't even get to sleep. I just couldn't wait for the game to come, knowing that my family were there at the game, and to start at the national stadium. It's been a dream of mine since I was young.

"To make my debut at Hampden was special, because it was in front of the fans, and I was trying to give a good account of myself to show why I deserved to be there. It was just amazing."

If that wasn't good enough, the striker started again four days later in Tilburg and netted her first Scotland goal on just her second appearance.

"I actually still don't think I had processed my debut," she added.

"I knew the second game was going to be a lot harder as the chances would come few and far between. I just tried to get myself in the right areas.

"I just remember peeling off the defender, just trying to get in front of her and obviously Emma [Lawton] played in a great pass. I just knew that I had to get contact on it.

"It felt silent in the stadium because it was all Netherlands fans. There was no noise at all. Then I looked at the lineswoman and obviously saw that her flag was down. I thought, 'Wow, I've just scored.'

"That was really nice, just to celebrate with the girls on the pitch. To walk away with the draw, when we actually could have won the game, was just excellent. It showed how far we had come in the camp.

"To score my first goal. It really topped off a great season at club and national team level, as well. I was just grateful for the opportunity. I learned a lot and hopefully it was the first of many."

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Rangers have announced that Victoria Esson, Tessel Middag, and Chelsea Cornet will all depart the club upon the expiry of their contract this summer.

Goalkeeper Esson and midfield duo Middag and Cornet have spent a combined 12 seasons at Rangers, who have said they "wish them all the very best for the future".

Striker Jane Ross' departure was already confirmed, with the veteran forward having announced her retirement from football. Loanee Charlie Devlin is also returning to her parent club, Birmingham City.

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Hearts have confirmed the departures of Lisa Robertson, Naomi Powell, Beth Rennie and Ashleigh Williams.

Powell scored twice in 15 appearances after joining the club last summer from Edinburgh rivals Hibernian.

Fellow midfielder Robertson, 33, departs despite having a year left on her contract after making 32 appearances following her move from Celtic.

Forward Williams joined in February from Texas Tech Raiders and scored on her debut against Queen's Park, but then suffered an injury that ruled out her out for the remainder of the season.

Goalkeeper Rennie, a 19-year-old Hearts academy graduate, signed her first professional contract last summer then spent the season on loan at Dundee United.

We asked for your views on Scotland's 1-1 draw away to Netherlands in their final Nations League outing and Melissa Andreatta's second match in charge.

Here's what some of you said:

Iain: It's the first time in recent years that I've seen a Scottish women's team have a go. Great to watch the second half especially.

Colin: A great performance from the Scottish Women. Well deserved. We move on.

Gordon: Definitely an improvement, great second half.

Scott C: What a fantastic battling performance. So much improvement.

Miller: Well off the pace defensively for the first 20 minutes but grew into the game. Intensity was much better in the second half. Great to see Mia McAulay, Kathleen McGovern, Emma Lawton and Kirsty Maclean doing well, four promising young players.

Dave: The best I've seen from this team in years, that took the game forward instead of sitting back and waiting.

Liz: Much better game, especially second half! Great to see.

Douglas: Much-improved performance from the sometimes dire stuff over the last few years. Making things happen instead of hoping they would happen. Restoring my faith in watching some exciting football again from them.

Pat: Let's give credit when it's due. Erin Cuthbert was immense.

Jim: Four halves of football, and you could see the improvement in each half. That second half was the best I've seen Scotland play in at least five years. Good to see a system where Caroline Weir and Cuthbert looked like the world-class players they are.

Ellie: Lots more energy and promise under the new coach, hopefully a start of a good new era in Scottish football.

Franny: That was a good positive performance by the ladies. The new coach seems to be instilling a belief in the players, that can only stand us in good stead going forward.

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Kirsty Morrison is looking forward to the "special experience" of playing Champions League football after the forward signed a two-year contract extension to keep her at Hibernian until 2027.

The 23-year-old, a Hibs academy graduate, scored four goals in 23 appearances in last season's title triumph.

"I'm really happy to extend my stay at the club, I've been at the club a long time now and there's nowhere else I'd rather be," said Morrison.

"I'm really excited for what the future holds. After having such a successful season we have a great opportunity to build on that. We also have the opportunity to play in the Champions League which will be a special experience."

Head coach Grant Scott said "talented" Morrison's attitude "sets a great example for the other young players coming through".

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Hibs striker Kathleen McGovern hopes her maiden Scotland goal is the first of many after opening her account on just her second international start.

The 22-year-old received her first senior call-up for the final Nations League games against Austria and Netherlands and started both under new manager Melissa Andreatta.

The forward, who last month helped Hibs lift their first SWPL trophy in 18 years, scored the equaliser in the 1-1 draw away to the Dutch on Tuesday night as Scotland secured their first point.

"It's been nice to start both games, something I didn't really expect," McGovern said.

"It's been a privilege this week and it was just great to see the ball hit the back of the net. I don't really think it's sunk in yet.

"It was a great delivery by Emma [Lawton], she knew exactly where to put it, and I was just so happy to see it hit the back of the net and get a great result for the team.

"It's been good to work with her [Andreatta], she's had so much belief in me. I've learned so much, especially from her, and the players I've been working with. I hope there's many more to come.

"I was flying on confidence when I first came in. To end the season at Hibs on such a high to then get the call-up was amazing to top off a great season.

"I came in and didn't want to put too much pressure on myself. I feel like that's what I did in training, just showed my ability, and I've been grateful to start the last two games."

After Melissa Andreatta's second game in charge, has your opinion changed on the new manager? What did you make of the 1-1 draw away to the Netherlands?

Let us know your thoughts

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Koning Willem II Stadion

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Not that it was a high threshold, but that was Scotland's best performance by a mile against a top-tier side in a fair old while.

For a side who have had challenge after challenge thrown at them - particularly in the last 24 hours or so - there was an energy, enthusiasm and excitement about them.

Melissa Andreatta asked for a fast start and she got it, until they conceded that early goal, of course. When she made a tactical change at half-time, she got a response. When she pushed on for a strong finish from the touchline, she saw it action.

At full-time, smiles were ear-to-ear, hugs were full and happiness palpable. It's been a long time since such feelings were present.

Andreatta promised to support young players upon her appointment and tonight it paid dividends.

Kathleen McGovern, 22, showed the qualities Scotland have craved from a number nine. Kirsty Maclean, 20, provided the perfect balance in midfield to the magic of Caroline Weir and Erin Cuthbert. Mia McAulay, 18, on her first start carried the Scots up the park with her pace.

There was so much to like about the performance, attitude and application of a side who stared adversity in the face.

It's early days in the Andreatta reign, but if this proves to be benchmark she says it is, then better days are ahead.

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Captain Caroline Weir says "all eyes are on the 2027 World Cup" after Scotland closed out a disappointing Nations League campaign with a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands.

The Scots travelled to Tilburg already relegated from Nations League A, the top tier of the competition, following their 1-0 defeat to Austria at Hampden on Friday night.

Despite conceding early, Kathleen McGovern's equaliser proved enough to snatch a promising point to the team ranked 10th in the world.

"We're happy with that result," the midfielder said.

"We did have chances to nick it, especially in the end, but the Netherlands also had chances. To come away from home and get a point, it's massive for us.

"In the end it doesn't mean anything for this campaign but going forward it's huge. It gives us confidence, we set a new baseline there we need to run with it and push on.

"It's been a tough campaign, we always knew it was going to be tough, but we finished the campaign off very well tonight.

"We had some challenges getting here, some logistical things which I think makes it even more impressive. I'm really proud of the performance of the players, the staff. we gave it everything tonight and to come away with the draw we're really proud of that.

"It wasn't ideal preparation but these things happen. We stuck together, you can see this group is special, we tried to be positive and at the end of the day we had 90 minutes to play, no excuses and I think we proved that tonight. I'm really proud of not just the performance but how we approached the game.

"Mel [Andreatta] has come in with so much energy, enthusiasm and she's so positive. She has so much belief in us and I think today showed that. It's a start, there's a long way to go but all eyes are on that World Cup in 2027. There's a lot of football to be played but draws like tonight really help.

"It's in Mel's mind, it's in my mind, that's what we're all here for. This performance is one we're going to come back to, be proud of and it's a benchmark for this squad."

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Scotland boss Melissa Andreatta tells BBC Scotland: "With that performance we earned that result.

"Especially when you think about the last 24 hours that we had, I think that showed what this team is about. That was established long before me but they put in a great performance tonight.

"We've talked a lot about belief. There's things that can happen that are out of your control but if you can focus on what you can control, the football, then you can get the result.

"I was really pleased. I think we did start well then the Netherlands started to dominate. We did a tactical change, got a foothold back in the game and we were unlucky to conceded that chance but I think we dominated the second half and were unlucky not to win.

"The growth of this team with only five or six sessions, players finishing seasons, I'm excited now to take all this in. We have a bit of a break and we'll start again in October and get a chance to look at players who aren't even here. This is a good way to finish this campaign.

"There's nothing like being in the environment, being involved in matchday. I think now it's about consolidating the learnings and maximising the strengths of everyone in this team."

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Kirsty Maclean was outstanding in the middle of the park as Scotland ended a disappointing Nations League campaign with a promising 1-1 draw in the Netherlands.

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Captain Rachael Boyle says "there is no place I would rather be" after signing a one-year contract extension with SWPL champions Hibernian.

The 33-year-old midfielder, who has 43 Scotland caps, joined Hibs in 2016 and helped the club end their 18-year title wait last season despite injuries restricting to her 14 appearances.

"I'm absolutely delighted that I'm extending my time at the club," said Boyle. "I've obviously had to miss a lot of football over recent years but last season's success, and the excitement building towards the new season, just made me want to be a part of it all.

"I'm desperate to put injuries behind me and be ready to help the team to more success this upcoming season."

Head coach Grant Scott praised "real leader" Boyle and said: "We're all hoping for an injury-free campaign and it'll be great to have her involved in her first full pre-season in a few years. That consistency will be huge for both her and the team."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Tilburg

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For a wee while there, I thought I was going to have to look out a pair of boots...

But the panic is over, Scotland have - eventually - made it to Tilburg.

It's so far from ideal for Melissa Andreatta, on her first away day with the Scots, and for the players.

And for captain Rachel Corsie, who will retire tonight. What a way to go out...

The squad had a morning training session at Oriam yesterday, before gearing up for their scheduled flight in the afternoon. Then it was delay after delay after delay.

A late night was had as plans were hastily put in place for this morning's take-off.

And after a long couple of days comes a gruelling meeting with the Netherlands.

Andries Jonker's side were surprisingly scudded by Germany on Friday, so could be in frightening mood.

Here's hoping the Scots are awake and alert, or it could be an even longer night.

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Leanne Crichton believes Scotland's "bleak" Nations League campaign can't end quickly enough, while fellow former international Joelle Murray has called for a reset of expectations amid the national team's "very underwhelming" form.

Scotland were relegated from the top tier of the Nations League last week as Melissa Andreatta's tenure as head coach began with a 1-0 home loss to Austria.

Andreatta's side play their final fixture away to the Netherlands tonight - live on BBC Scotland - seeking a first point after five successive defeats.

"It's been a real poor run of form for Scotland in terms of the results, even going back beyond this Nations League campaign," ex-midfielder Crichton told BBC Scotland.

"As bleak as this Nations League campaign has felt, we understand the magnitude of the challenge going up against real top sides in the Netherlands and Germany.

"The disappointment lies with the two Austria games, which when anybody looked at the draw would have been the two games that you earmarked as your potential three points and looked to maximise that opportunity.

"The fact we've lost on both occasions just leaves the nation feeling deflated.

"We've gone from qualifying for two back-to-back major tournaments [Euro 2017 and 2019 World Cup] and we've fallen off the edge of a cliff because we've not capitalised on that.

"We find ourselves now a huge transitional period."

Former defender Joelle Murray echoed those sentiments, telling the BBC's Scottish Football podcast: "There's no hiding from it, it's been a very underwhelming, frustrating, disappointing campaign for the national team.

"It's maybe one of those ones where we may need to reset our expectations. What we've been experiencing, is that now our reality?

"Do we need to reset, refocus and get back on a journey that gets us back to where we were in 2017 and 2019?"

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Melissa Andreatta is determined to see the positives from Scotland's defeat by Austria as her side prepare for "a massive test" against the Netherlands.

The Scots head into their final Nations League Group A1 game against the Dutch having already been relegated following Friday's loss at Hampden.

The Netherlands are ranked 10th in the world and are looking to bounce back from their own defeat in Germany - a result that means they are now unable to overtake the group leaders.

Scotland have lost all five of their games so far in the Nations League top flight, with second-half goals from Lineth Beerensteyn and Chasity Grant giving the Dutch a deserved win at Hampden in February despite the hosts leading through Emma Lawton.

That game was under caretaker Michael McArdle after Pedro Martinez Losa was sacked following the failure to reach this summer's Euro 2025 finals - and Andreatta believes she has already seen areas where her squad can improve.

"It's just identifying the moments when we want to press or protect, or progress the ball and penetrate," the Australian said.

"There's going to be moments in the match where it doesn't go right, but that's where we are right now.

"We took a lot of learnings from [Friday] and now what we want to do is close this campaign and then, after that, look ahead to a new start in our next camp."

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

On Tuesday night Scotland will face a Netherlands team - live on BBC Scotland - which is wounded, both in a physical and emotional sense before their final Nations League match in Tilburg.

Missing some of their key stars, the Dutch were walloped 4-0 by Germany in their penultimate game, which set off alarm bells back home as they prepare to play in the Euro 2025 group of death this summer alongside England, France and Wales.

First-choice goalkeeper Daphne Van Domselaar was missing with injury, as well as attacking totems Lineth Beerensteyn and top scorer Vivianne Miedema.

The latter will definitely not return to face Scotland, while Beerensteyn missing out would be music to Scotland's ears given she has scored three goals across the last two meetings.

Arsenal's Victoria Pelova and key midfielder Danielle van de Donk were not fit enough to start in Bremen either.

That meant a switch to a back-three formation, which seemed to bring confusion rather than stability as Germany ran riot, scoring three in the first half.

Manager Andries Jonker, whose contract is not being renewed after the Euros this summer, said too many players were below par as questions surround his side.

So can Scotland capitalise? Well, they will need to be far better than they were for the first 70 minutes against Austria in Melissa Andreatta's first game.

In the reverse fixture, Emma Lawton's first international goal gave Scotland the lead before the Dutch turned things around in the second half to win 2-1.

But in truth, the gap between the two teams at Hampden in February was much more than one goal as the Netherlands squandered numerous chances.

The expectation on Scotland, already relegated and on the back of six straight defeats, could hardly be lower. That tends to be how they like it, though.

A victory against even this version of the Dutch seems unlikely, but if Andreatta could grab a result it would jolt her tenure to life ahead of another summer when Scotland watch on from a distance as others enjoy a major tournament party.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden Park

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"You don't ever want to keep coming out and saying, we've done really well, we've tried hard, but we're fallen short again.

"That's just the reality of where we're at, at the moment."

For someone who made save after save on Friday night, Lee Gibson pulled no punches in the post-match press conference.

The Scotland shotstopper kept her country in their penultimate Nations League A match against Austria, but she was left helpless when a front-post flick from Julia Hickelsberger broke the deadlock.

That sole goal, in Melissa Andreatta's first game in the Scotland dugout, confirmed relegation to League B, too.

It was an all too familiar story for the Scots who suffered a six successive defeat, and Gibson has grown tired of the tale.

"It's took us 60 minutes to actually properly open up Austria, that's the disappointing thing." the Glasgow City goalkeeper said.

"You just want that to happen a little bit earlier. That's up to us as players to recognise that and change things in the game, but it was too little, too late unfortunately.

"That's probably the same thing that we've been saying over the last year or so in these games when we play against top opponents, that we've not been able to be consistent enough.

"It's frustrating. You don't ever want to keep coming out and saying, we've done really well, we've tried hard, but we're fallen short again.

"That's just the reality of where we're at, at the moment.

"I think other teams have improved and they've raised their levels. We maybe haven't made those strides forward that we wanted to or we feel we deserve.

"But as players and coaching staff and everybody behind the scenes, it's up to us to be able to try and change that.

"That's hopefully something that under Mel we can take strides in doing."

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Shannon Leishman will leave SWPL champions Hibs after over a decade with the Leith club.

The defender only made two starts this campaign before joining Motherwell on loan in January, helping cement their historic top-six finish.

Leishman made her debut back in 2014, aged just 16, and went on to make over 150 appearances for her childhood club, winning four domestic Cups in the process.

She follows fellow Hibs' stalwart Leah Tweedie out the door after her departure was announced earlier in the week.

On Leishman's exit, head coach Grant Scott said: "Shannon has been a dedicated servant to Hibernian over the past 11 years.

"Coming through our Academy, Shannon has from a young age always set an example for others to follow and her commitment to being the ultimate professional has helped us to many successes over the years.

"More than all of that, she's a great person whose presence will be missed. We thank her for her contributions and wish her all the best for the future."