Scottish Women's Football

The search for new Scotland women's head coach is ongoing and the SFA hope to confirm a replacement for Pedro Martinez Losa as soon as possible, says chief executive Ian Maxwell.

The Spaniard left in the wake of the nation's failure to reach Euro 2025 after his side lost 2-0 on aggregate to play-off opponents Finland this month.

Martinez Losa also failed to guide the Scots to the 2023 World Cup via the play-offs.

Speaking to BBC Scotland, Maxwell said: "It's very disappointing not to qualify for last two tournaments. Football is results-driven business.

"We have a talented squad of players and we want to make sure we can qualify for tournaments.

"The recruitment process has started and we'll aim to get the best candidate in place as soon as possible.

"It's always a difficult and interesting process, but we want to get the right person in place as soon as possible."

We asked for your views on Celtic's 3-0 defeat against FC Twente in the Champions League.

Here's what some of you said:

David: A bit disappointing in the end as I'd hoped they'd get a draw or even a win last night. Poor defensively at corners and not clearing the box, having defended so well in middle four games. Pretty easy chances missed at 0-0 and 0-1 which has been all season. Still great to be in the group stage and let's get there again next season.

Aidan: The qualifiers and group games were great to be a part of to see some of the game's best professionals. Fingers crossed the ladies return to group-stage football in future and can compete better to further grow the women's game in Scotland.

Celtic bowed out of their maiden Women's Champions League group campaign without a point as Twente won comfortably in Enschede.

A Kayleigh van Dooren strike and own goals from Lisa Rodgers and Natalie Ross put the game beyond Elena Sadiku's side before half-time.

Celtic fans, what did you make of the game and the team's Champions League campaign?

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Celtic captain Kelly Clark spoke of her pride after their maiden Women's Champions League campaign.

Elena Sadiku's SWPL winners were unable to register their first point in Group B as they went down 3-0 to Twente.

All three goals came in the first half but Celtic improved after the break.

Despite the results, Clark told Uefa: "We've shown what we're capable of.

"It's disappointing to end the campaign this way, but I'm proud of my team.

"We have a very young, inexperienced team, but we're growing. We show such character in the second half and fight to come back. We really made it difficult for them. That's something we need to remember."

Scotland skipper Rachel Corsie and former midfielder Leanne Crichton discuss the search for a new head coach to replace the sacked Pedro Martinez Losa.

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Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Rachael Johnstone (Hearts): Made some vital saves for her side including one brilliant reaction stop to prevent Spartans grabbing an equaliser.

Samantha van Diemen (Glasgow City): Recovered well from a near mishap in front of her own goal, as she made some timely and vital interceptions when Rangers showed a bit of threat in the second half.

Lizzie Waldie (Hearts): Set up her team's opening goal with a pinpoint ball. Was a threat going forward all afternoon, while also mopping up at the back when required.

Demi Taylor (Montrose): Played a huge part in a good draw for Montrose at Partick Thistle. The defender provided an assist for her side's opener, then cracked in a beauty to make it 3-3.

Hayley Lauder (Glasgow City): Controlled the game with ease in a holding midfield role. Was composed and kept things ticking along for City.

Rosie Livingstone (Hibs): Scored Hibs' second goal early in the second half to calm the nerves before they eased to a comfortable win over Motherwell.

Ciara Grant (Hibs): Provided two assists - her delivery from corners was bang on the money.

Natalia Wrobel (Glasgow City): Was in the right place at the right time for all three of her goals. Showed good reaction for her opening strike, and was alert to a defensive mistake for her second. The Polish midfielder's first hat-trick for City helped them to a big win over Rangers as they moved back to the top of the table.

Freya Brien (Dundee United): A massive moment for United as they won their first league match of the season, and Brien was influential. It was her initial shot that was rebounded into the net for the equaliser, then her winner earned the precious three points.

Olufolasade Adamolekun (Hearts): Scored both goals for Hearts after getting herself in good positions. Showed lovely composure for her second strike.

Kathleen McGovern (Hibs): Persisted all afternoon in front of goal and finally got her rewards, helping Hibs to a good win in difficult conditions.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Head coach Elena Sadiku has been speaking to the media ahead of Celtic's Champions League tie with FC Twente.

Here are the key points...

• Hoping to put on a "great performance" in the Netherlands. Sadiku thinks Celtic have "grown as a team on this big stage", and is hoping to "tie everything together" on Tuesday.

• It has been a "tough schedule" balancing European and domestic games. Keeping players fit and recovery has been a learning curve.

• At this level, teams need to be "switched on all the time". Sadiku believes Celtic have been punished for a lack of focus in previous games and need to learn from that.

• Determined to get back to domestic focus in January and trying to win the league to get another crack at the Champions League. "Next time we compete on this stage, we will be better."

• On preparation, it was the "best match day minus one training session I've seen from this group". The team is "hungry" to show people what they can do.

• FC Twente, are a "good attacking team", but also "intense" in defence.

• Murphy Agnew is a fitness doubt for Celtic.

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Leanne Ross has stressed her "focus is with Glasgow City" amid links to the current Scotland vacancy.

The former international was a key figure in Pedro Martinez Losa's coaching staff and has been at the centre of speculation surrounding his successor.

However, the 43-year-old emphasised her commitment to club football.

"I'm focussed on my job here at Glasgow City, that's always been the case," Ross told BBC Scotland.

"The national team, I love being involved with, but for me I am the Glasgow City manager."

Martinez Losa left his position as Scotland head coach on Friday following a second failure to reach a major tournament and Ross underlined the importance of returning to the top table under the next boss.

"We need to follow the process which is now in place and make sure we get the right person in place," she added.

"We need to make sure we get the best out the players we have going forward because we need to get back into major tournaments.

"The players we have right now have to be playing on the biggest stage."

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Spartans head coach Jack Beesley: "I thought we were excellent. I'm really pleased with their application and their effort. For them to show the composure and resilience to fight back despite conceding so early, I thought we were close to a match for them.

"In isolation, it was a good performance. It shows we can try and compete. It's a performance we can be proud of. In the midst of a hard spell of games for us, I thought it was a great performance."

Hearts head coach Eva Olid: "We could've been better. I always demand a performance and the three points. Today I expected a better performance, but, we did the job and that is the important thing."

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Queen's Park head of women's football John McNeil: "It's hard. I feel for the girls. I thought for the first 70 minutes we were the better side and dominated.

"They came out in the second half, but, it's cruel. Two chances and two goals.

"It's been a really tough week, we've had one session together but the girls have stood up to it, they've been excellent."

Dundee United head coach Suzy Shepherd: "It was all about character in the second half. I think the girls thoroughly deserved their three points.

"There was belief out there and I'm so proud of them to get the first league win."

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Partick Thistle head coach Brian Graham: "We played well in spells today but we gifted two goals in the first half. Over the course of the season, we're drawing too many games.

"We've not done enough over the course of the season. There's been lapses in concentration, our structure has to be better, we can't get complacent."

Montrose manager Craig Feroz: "Coming down here getting a point against a good Partick Thistle side, I'm delighted.

"My players never give up, they never have since we came into the league."

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Hibernian head coach Grant Scott: "A very good win and clean sheet against a very good team who are progressing.

"I think playing against the win suited us better. First half we went too long too soon, second half we kept it short and sweet.

"We're fighting to accumulate as many points as we can."

Motherwell head coach Paul Brownlie: "I thought our first half performance deserved more, but, credit to Hibs their second half performance, they created more opportunities.

"I thought we were far better than Hibs in the first half but we didn't take our chances."

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Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross: "We dominated the game today in difficult conditions. We didn't want to change too much in our game plan, but we were brave. We know we have quality in these team to do that, and we did it today.

"It's going to be tight at the top, nothing is won at this point in time. I think come the split, you'll see the quality in all the teams and it'll be another exciting finish."

Rangers manager Jo Potter: "We weren't good enough, we weren't the better team today. We were dominated by a very good team. We can't feel sorry for ourselves as we didn't deserve anything from the game.

"We can't give a team like City a 1-0 lead in a game like this. If you're under the cosh, you can kind of accept it but the goal has came from nothing."

Natalia Wrobel's hat-trick took dominant Glasgow City top of the SWPL and two points clear of opponents Rangers.

Wrobel twice capitalised on mistakes to score in blustery conditions and added an opportunistic third against the pre-match leaders, who sustained their first league defeat of the season.

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A top of the table tussle 10 days from Christmas, is an early present in the SWPL.

Jo Potter's Rangers leapfrogged Sunday's hosts Glasgow City with a narrow midweek win against Motherwell to sprinkle some extra spice on the already mouthwatering meeting.

The top two faced off just over two months ago at Ibrox and couldn't be separated as a 1-1 draw was played out.

It was a tight affair then, and it has been throughout the season with Rangers only one point better off than Leanne Ross' side.

City dropped points against Hearts on Wednesday after a 0-0 draw and will be desperate to get back to winning ways in their second last game before the winter break.

Emily Whelan, who opened the scoring in the previous match, is enjoying a fine season in City colours and will look to add to her eight league goals already this term.

While Katie Wilkinson, who netted her 22nd SWPL goal of the season midweek, has yet to notch one against City.

Reigning champions Celtic sit seven points behind the league leaders, but Elena Sadiku's side will soon be able to commit their full attention to domestic duties.

Once their final Champions League match on Tuesday against Twente is over, their title defence will surely crank up another gear.

How City and Rangers would love to maintain a bit of breathing space before the charge commences.

How to follow on the BBC

There will be live text coverage of all six Sunday games from 11:50 BST on the BBC Sport website and app.

Glasgow City v Rangers is the early kick-off and it's live on BBC Alba, the BBC Sport website and app. It gets under way at 12:10 BST.

And on Monday night, watch all the goals and best of the weekend SWPL action on Sportscene at 19:00 on the BBC Scotland channel.

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Pedro Martinez Losa's disappointing reign as Scotland boss came after defeat by a Finland side three places lower in the rankings, albeit the relative positions were skewed by the Scots' recent fixtures being against lesser opposition while Marko Saloranta's side were being relegated from the tougher League A.

His exit seemed inevitable given Scotland's failure to qualify for a third consecutive major finals, their second during his watch.

Former Scotland midfielder Leanne Crichton thinks questions were always going to be asked given the Spaniard had been tasked with ending that major tournament drought.

"For Pedro, it was a mixed bag," she told BBC Scotland. "If you look at some of the achievements and identity of the team, it started to change and at points it looked really positive, but for any national team manager, it's getting to major tournaments and, when you don't do that, ultimately it looks like a failure.

"In the world that we live in now with football, there's always an expectation that managers will lose their job if they don't deliver the remit expected of them."