Scottish Women's Football

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Scotland striker Abi Harrison has returned to Celtic on a deal until the end of the season after leaving Bristol City.

The Celtic academy graduate made her debut for the club at age 14 in 2011, becoming the youngest player ever in the SWPL.

Harrison joined Hibs in 2015, winning the 2016 Scottish Cup and three SWPL Cups in a four-year spell, then moved to Bristol City where she went on to become the club's record scorer with 40 goals in 128 appearances.

"I'm absolutely delighted to be back at Celtic and can't wait to get going again," Harrison said.

"It is a bit of a full circle fairytale for me. I made no illusions when I left the club as a 17-year-old that it was my dream to play for them again one day.

"As soon as I signed for Bristol, I said the only club that I would leave Bristol for was Celtic."

Head coach Elena Sadiku added: "We're very excited to bring Abi into our squad. She has great experience in both the Women's Super League and the Championship."

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The SWPL game between Celtic and Hearts on Friday night has been postponed because of the red weather warning in place across Scotland.

Elena Sadiku's side were due to host Hearts at New Douglas Park at 19:30 GMT.

The SWPL say details of the rearranged fixture will be confirmed in due course.

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Caitlin Hayes says playing for Celtic was "one of the greatest honours of my life" after sealing a move from the SWPL champions to Brighton.

The Republic of Ireland defender departs having made 153 Celtic appearances and won one league title and four domestic cups in her four-and-a-half-year spell.

"It has been nothing short of one of the greatest honours of my life to wear the green and white," said 29-year-old Hayes.

"My nine-year-old self would never have believed that her wildest dreams would become her reality. But I guess, after all, I was just a girl with a dream and a fan that got lucky.

"I wish nothing but success for everyone involved with Celtic. Once a Celt, always a Celt."

Head-coach Elena Sadiku praised Hayes' contribution, saying: "I want to thank Caitlin for everything she has done for the club,.

"Especially since I have come to Glasgow, she has been very important for the team on the pitch. She has been a great character."

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Hearts have signed Galway United midfielder Jenna Slattery on a deal until summer 2026.

Slattery, 20, was top scorer in the League of Ireland last season with 10 goals and has been capped 11 times for Republic of Ireland at Under-19 level.

Although currently sidelined with injury, the midfielder joins Eva Olid's side on an initial 18-month deal that includes the option for a 12-month extension.

"The proper feeling hasn't really sunk in yet," Slattery said.

"I've finally made this big move that I've always dreamt of as a young girl. To be here right now it's a pretty surreal moment."

Manager Olid added: "We're delighted to welcome a player of Jenna's quality to the club so early in the window.

"This was a position that we were keen to strengthen after what's been a positive start to the season."

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Former Scotland international Leanne Crichton says the "pressure is on" the international squad following the appointment of Michael McArdle as interim head coach.

The women's national team are in search for a permanent successor to Pedro Marintez Losa after he left his role last month following Scotland's failure to qualify for Euro 2025, in addition to missing out on the 2023 World Cup.

Former Ayr United assistant McArdle is the head of women's elite football for the SFA and will take charge of the upcoming Nations League games next month.

"Whatever this next appointment looks like, we have to get it right," Crichton told the BBC's Behind the Goals podcast.

"If it takes a bit longer to go through the process - if it ends up back at Mick and he does really well - the pressure is on the group to show the signs that we can really move forward. Whether that has an element of transition or not, he's going to have to steer that.

"The only thing I'm interested in is how he manages his workload. He's the busiest guy on the planet, doing a brilliant job in his current role at the Scottish FA. I'm looking forward to the next international window and seeing how it pans out."

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The SWPL is "disrespected" and "deserves a lot more recognition", says Celtic captain Kelly Clark.

The defender expressed her displeasure at the way the league is perceived in the wake of the news team-mate Caitlin Hayes is set to join WSL side Brighton this month.

Clark feels the imminent move shows "how much we can put people on a platform" at Celtic, "very much like what the men's team has done".

The defender thinks the SWPL has "been of a quality a lot of people don't accept" and referenced Hibernian and Hearts' impressive seasons this term as evidence that the league is strong.

"I think the league's disrespected, it really winds me up," Clark said.

"I do think the league deserves a lot more recognition than it gets. People need to take note because I really do think there's a lot of talent in Scotland.

"There are a lot of girls who have played football for nothing for years and years and years and care about football. It's not just a job. It's not just a tick box. It's a passion."

She added: "Anybody who's looking for players that aren't going to cost you an arm and a leg, because we're playing in a league that's still not fully professional, they should be looking here.

"They should be looking at Rangers, they should be looking at City, Aberdeen. All these teams in this league have players that I think can play elsewhere. We're good enough. Hearts, Hibs, the lot.

"Hopefully the [transfer] rumours continue, not just for us, but for everybody, because it shows that the league's improving. We've got quality here that can go elsewhere."

Scotland midfielder Sam Kerr discusses her loan move from Bayern Munich to Liverpool on the latest episode of the Behind the Goals podcast.

Plus, Rachel Corise and Leanne Crichton look back at the weekend's SWPL semi-finals and ponder whether Rangers and Celtic are really moving to the WSL.

Listen and subscribe to Behind the Goals on BBC Sounds

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Scotland international Sandy MacIver has joined Washington Spirit from Manchester City on a three-year contract.

The 26-year-old goalkeeper made three appearances for City since joining from Everton in 2022.

"Thank you to all the players and support staff for making my time at this club a memorable one," MacIver posted on Instagram., external "I will miss being part of this team and wish everyone the best for the rest of the season.

"The fans are what make this club special, thank you for your incredible support. I've loved meeting you all at our games and your love for this team doesn't go unnoticed"

MacIver joins former City teammate Esme Morgan, who signed for the NWSL side in June.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

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Celtic defender Caitlin Hayes is set to join Brighton in the Women's Super League this month.

The 29-year-old is due for a medical in Brighton in the coming days having been in advanced discussions over the weekend.

The Republic of Ireland international attracted interest from several clubs and held talks with Everton but Brighton fought off competition.

Hayes agreed a new three-year deal with Celtic in May 2023 so Brighton will pay a fee to bring her to the club.

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Olivia McLoughlin said Rangers had "a point to prove" in their 2-1 victory over Celtic in the SWPL Cup semi-final.

Second half goals from Rio Hardy and Katie Wilkinson put Rangers ahead and although a late strike from Emma Lawton made it a nervy ending, Rangers held on at New Douglas Park to book their place in the March final against Hibernian.

Jo Potter's side lifted the trophy last year - and the season before under Malky Thomson - and McLoughlin and her team-mates are not wanting to let go of it anytime soon.

"It's amazing," McLoughlin said.

"Last season when we did it it was amazing, to do it again with a performance like that, against Celtic, is amazing. It just shows our togetherness this season.

"We knew what we were going to produce it was just a matter of time. To be able to produce that was fantastic.

"We want the play to come through centrally, we want to be able to show what we're capable of.

"There was a lot of yellow cards flying about, that's what the referee wanted to do. We proved today we can get past that and stay in the game.

"We are just one step closer now [to the trophy]. That's the point we wanted to prove. We needed to win the game no matter what and we did that."

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Celtic head coach Elena Sadiku: "I think we were the better team, we just didn't score more goals, and that is annoying.

"We have the ball more than them and for me, I think we should have two penalties, especially the one in the second half.

"It's a clear penalty for me. That can also be a difference, but it is what it is, like I've said before, I'm not frustrated at the referees right now, I'm frustrated at us, because we let in two goals in set-plays, and we shouldn't do that.

"We have great quality in the box to defend our goal, and we didn't do it well enough today on set-plays."

Rangers head coach Jo Potter: "I'm super proud of my players, I thought both sides of the game we were excellent.

"We knew all eyes were going to be on us today, we're the holders of the cup and we wanted to make sure we were in with a chance of retaining it so it's a big win.

"I thought the players managed to soak up all the pressure, especially away from home. They've learnt a lot of lessons. I think everybody was looking at Celtic to turn us over but we stood up to that test and showed exactly what we're about."

After a dramatic day, we have our SWPL Cup finalists! Hibs and Rangers will meet for the first piece of silverware in the women's season in the spring.

We want to know what you made of the performances on display this weekend? Rangers fans, what did you make of the Celtic win? Hibs fans, how are you feeling about that final draw?

Have your say, external

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Hibernian cruised past Aberdeen to secure a place in their first SWPL Cup final since 2019.

Ciara Grant opened the scoring for Grant Scott's side after a tense start at Meadowbank.

Striker Eilidh Adams got Hibs' second and Grant followed up with the Edinburgh side's third, and her second.

Hibs who will take on Rangers in the SWPL Cup final in the spring.