Scottish Women's Football

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Midfielder Ellis Notley insists Hibs are ready for the challenge of Champions League football as they prepare to face Fortuna Hjorring on Wednesday.

The Edinburgh club, who won their first SWPL title in 18 years last season, start qualification in the second round with a one-off mini tournament in Paphos, Cyprus.

Hibs face Danish side Fortuna in the semi-finals - live on the BBC Sport website, app and iPlayer - with the winners progressing to take on either Apollon or Young Boys in the final for a place in round three.

"We're all looking forward to the match, we've had a good few days out here preparing for the game, we're all excited for it," said Notley.

"You work so hard throughout the season and we got ourselves into this position by winning the league and we want to push on as a team.

"We want to compete with the best teams in Europe, this is the next step to do that, it doesn't get much bigger than Champions League football.

"You obviously don't know as much about your opposition. In the league, we know a lot of the players, a lot of the teams, the managers.

"There's a little bit of the unknown going into these matches. We've done our own prep and our own analysis on Fortuna and we'll hopefully take that into it.

"We're expecting a well-organised team, a tough team to break down and play against, a physical battle.

"We need to focus on ourselves, focus on how we'll play because we know that the quality that we have throughout the team, we've shown that we can compete at the highest level in Scotland and we hope we can do that on this stage.

"We want to be as successful as we can be, and we've seen the men do it so hopefully we can replicate that and hopefully go one better."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Rachael Johnstone (Hearts): Couldn't do much about the goals her side conceded. Made some big saves before Rangers went 2-1 up. Produced a vital stop right at the end to keep the score at 2-2 and a good draw for Hearts on the road.

Lizzie Waldie (Hearts): Strong at the back, but has the confidence and ability to venture forward to good effect. Did really well to set up the all-important equaliser.

Eilidh Austin (Rangers): The 20-year-old was played out of position due to defensive injuries but coped well.

Aislin Streicek (Celtic): Canadian full-back impressed on her first start for her new club. A clean sheet and an assist for Celtic's fifth goal against Hamilton. Showed an intent to get forward too, and almost got on the scoresheet early on.

Lizzie Arnot (Rangers): Came on in the 70th minute and had a hand in both goals. Her delivery from the free-kick for the second was inch perfect. An impressive contribution from the bench as she helped turn around her side's fortunes.

Eilidh Shore (Hearts): Organised well from midfield, but also full of energy. She caused problems for Rangers, and kept composed when the ball fell to her to score a late but deserved equaliser.

Olufolasade Adamolekun (Hearts): Not only finished brilliantly to give the visitors the lead at Ibrox, but started the move with a determined drive forward. Her pace and strength is a real threat for Hearts.

Tiree Burchill (Hibs): Scored two quickfire and timely goals to make the first-half breakthrough against Partick thistle. The two very different finishes, one a real poacher's effort and the other a low drive from just outside the area.

Saoirse Noonan (Celtic): Netted the opener to settle Celtic and set the tone. Also on hand to set up two goals. Always a danger and always on the attack.

Katie Wilkinson (Rangers): A hat-trick on the opening day followed by two goals within two minutes. The striker is always in the right place at the right time, and these were two important goals for Rangers as they fought back against Hearts.

Kaela McDonald-Nguah (Montrose): Two goals and two assists in an excellent afternoon's work. Already proving a key player for Montrose with her ability to make and score goals.

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Partick Thistle head coach David Elliot: "Disappointment is the big word I'd use. I don't we deserved to lose five because they put in so much effort.

"Decision making wasn't the best in the final third, but we'll learn. We could have maybe managed the game a wee bit better.

"Loads of good passing moves. I'd like to have more of it in the final third, but things are improving and we'll keep working."

Hibernian coach Joelle Murray: "Delighted for the girls. Goals and a clean sheet is what we're always looking for.

"Once we got the first goal, we gained momentum and belief. It was a really professional, dominant performance.

"It's nice to see the fruits of our labour on matchday."

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Aberdeen manager Scott Booth: "We worked incredibly hard. I think we could have been a little bit better in possession, but we had a couple of really good chances to score late on and to take something from the game.

"We need to be clinical in games, especially against the regular top five teams, because we know that we're only going to get a limited number of chances.

"I thought everyone that was involved today worked really, really hard. And that's what we know we need to do as a bare minimum."

Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross: "A bit of a frustrating performance across the board, but we controlled the tempo of the game.

"Aberdeen are going to make it difficult for teams coming here. Three points was the objective and we got it, so we go home happy.

"It was nice to see Abi get off the mark today and hopefully she can add to her tally in the weeks to come."

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Celtic boss Elena Sadiku: "Really happy with the attacking play in terms of how many chances we created.

"Five goals, a clean sheet and a first win at home so I'm really happy but I still think there are things to improve for the upcoming match against Partick Thistle.

"I think looking at the goalscorers and the different types of goals we scored is always very pleasing as a coach, because it shows we can score in different ways.

"But I think we should probably have had more goals to be honest and that's what I take from the game as something that needs to be improved."

Hamilton manager Robert Watson: "They must have about 300 times our budget, but for the first 25 minutes we played really well and had a bit of a threat on the counter.

"The second and third goals before half-time make it very hard, but these games won't define our season.

"We could have adapted to situations a bit better, but it isn't hugely surprising to lose the game."

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Rangers manager Leanne Crichton: "Ultimately we trailed for a huge part of the game but I thought the response, the application and everything that we did in the second half was brilliant.

"When you go and turnaround the scoreline and you get your noses in front the frustration from our part is that we have just been unable to control the game for probably the next five minutes or so.

"Ultimately their equaliser is a second phase from a set-piece which again you can be really frustrated at, but credit to Hearts for going and chasing it and getting themselves back level.

"But for us we will feel disappointed tonight that we have not managed to take all three points."

Hearts manager Eva Olid: "For me we lost two points because first half we dominated totally.

"When we were losing 2-1 we went to press high and still we wanted to score the goal. A lot of positives, but we're not happy because only one point.

"Playing as we play first half - if we do that for 90 minutes, we win the game. I know really good things are coming."

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Rangers head coach Leanne Crichton has made her first signing in "dynamic and technically gifted" South Korea midfielder Kim Shin Ji on a season-long loan from Roma.

The 21-year-old moved to the Serie A side at the start of the year from GB Uiduk University in her homeland on a deal until 2027.

Kim Shin Ji becomes the third arrival at Rangers this summer, following the permanent signings of Fallon Connolly-Jackson and Alice Griffiths, and could make her debut in Sunday's SWPL game against Hearts.

"She's a dynamic, technically gifted player with good experience at a high level even at such a young age and we believe she'll bring real quality and creativity to the squad," head coach Crichton said.

"It highlights the calibre of player we are targeting and we're confident she'll make a big impact on the team both on and off the pitch.

"We're excited to see what she can bring to the club this season."

Shin Ji says she is "truly happy" to be joining Rangers, adding: "This season, I will focus on winning every single match with the goal of lifting trophies."

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Glasgow City's newest recruit Mebae Tanaka will bring "even more quality and depth" to their squad, says head coach Leanne Ross.

Winger Tanaka, who has signed a two-year deal, is City's sixth summer signing and their first-ever Japanese player.

The 29-year-old made 19 appearances last season in the A-League with New Zealand side Wellington Phoenix, scoring once, and has also played in Japan, South Korea and Australia.

"I'm really happy to bring Mebae to Glasgow City," said head coach Ross.

"She is a player with very good technical abilities, and she will bring even more quality and depth to an already strong squad.

"She has gained a lot of professional experience from her time in Japan, South Korea and New Zealand which will be incredibly valuable in this environment."

Pauline MacDonald
Former Scotland international

I think in terms of the quality of the product, when the SWPL was 12 teams, the distance in quality between the top four and bottom four was so, so big.

So hopefully with the reduction in teams the quality players that were with those teams in 11th and 12th have moved into a ninth or a 10th-placed team and it bridges that gap.

I think in terms of the competitiveness of the league, the 12 teams were too many

When you don't have that depth in squad, that takes its toll on the players.

So with that shift to a 10, and less games, then hopefully the product and the competitiveness of the league actually improves.

At this early stage, Rangers still have to recruit, Celtic still have to recruit, Hibs are going to have Champions League, Glasgow City will have Champions League, I think it's too early to predict, I really do.

I know that Glasgow City have that desire, that willingness, just to get the job done even when things are up against them.

So maybe they are the frontrunner at this moment in time because we know that generally speaking, when you're in the Champions League for teams like Hibernian who maybe don't have that same depth, that can be quite challenging.

But right now, I would say there's five teams in the running and it's about probably who can remain focused and bring that competitive edge week in, week out.

Former Scotland international Pauline MacDonald was talking to BBC Scotland's Charlotte Cohen.

Lisa Rodgers (Celtic): Although the Celtic goalkeeper almost handed a goal to Hearts, she atoned for that error by making a couple of really big saves for her side when Heats were piling on a bit of pressure late in the second half.

Lana Golob (Glasgow City): On her Glasgow City debut she looked very comfortable. Will face bigger tests, but early evidence suggests a solid signing.

Katy Hill (Rangers): Was back from injury to make her 100th appearance for Rangers and marked the occasion with a goal to seal a comfortable win for her side.

Lisa Robertson (Celtic): Played out of position for Celtic against her old side on the opening weekend, showing great versatility. Calm and composed on the ball.

Monica Forsyth (Hearts): Showed great drive for Hearts, especially in the second half, both in creating chances for team-mates and getting herself in good positions.

Erin Rennie (Partick Thistle): Was a real threat for Partick Thistle. Didn't let her head go down when she missed a glorious chance and remained calm when scoring the winner to seal a good victory for Thistle on opening weekend.

Momo Nakao (Celtic): Such a tenacious player for Celtic, she didn't let up all afternoon to try and win the ball. In possession she was full of creativity.

Rosie Livingstone (Hibs): Her two early, quickfire goals for Hibs set the tone. Always full of intent to get forward, driving on and having a shot on goal. Her energy is a real threat.

Morgan Cross (Celtic): Was an impactful player for Celtic, especially in the first half as she made life difficult for Hearts. Great pace and finish for her side's opening goal.

Nicole Kozlova (Glasgow City): Had a strong finish to last season with Glasgow City and looks to be continuing that form with two great finishes on the opening weekend. A real livewire.

Katie Wilkinson (Rangers): Carrying on from last season. The Rangers striker scored an opening day hat-trick and three very different goals - a brilliantly worked free-kick, a penalty and a header to help her side to all three points.

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Hibernian head coach Grant Scott: "We won the title by three points last year and I said to the players before we came out, you just don't know where the most important points will be so our aim was to get the three points and count them up as we go.

"We're in a good place, the squad looks well. We have options now and we're fairly solid at the back. I'm looking forward to seeing the team play this year."

Aberdeen manager Scott Booth: "It was a difficult 90 minutes, we were playing against a really good side.

"We have a lot of new players and a lot of things to learn. It's really important that we learn quickly about the things that didn't go well today.

"It's going to be a long hard season no matter what. We have to have be able to fight for everything because every game is going to be against a team of this standard so we can't be surprised by whatever comes at us."

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Glasgow City manager Leanne Ross: "We scored some really nice goals but there is opportunity there for us to play better and more clinical in the final third.

"The conditions were difficult but we played some good attacking football.

"We were composed, especially in the first half, and really clinical when the opportunities came but in the second half that fell by the wayside and it's something we need to improve going forward in the season.

"It was nice to be in front of home fans and give them a taste of the football we're going to play this season."

Motherwell manager Paul Brownlie: "We started the game on the front foot. The first 12 minutes were really good then there was a 15-minute spell where we switched off and found ourselves 3-0 down, but apart from that I can't really fault the group.

"We spoke at half time about taking better care of the ball and once we tidied it up in the second half, there were points where we looked really comfortable.

"I asked for bravery and character on the ball. I don't think we showed enough character in the first half, we forced too many turnovers.

"We know what we need to do. The game today is not going to define our season, but we need to make sure we are competitive."

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Hearts boss Eva Olid: "We threw the first 45 minutes in the bin and that is so frustrating as a coach.

"The second half we created chances but we have to have that belief to not stop and make finishes. We were already losing so there was nothing to lose.

"The attitude in the team was good in the second half but we still need to take out chances.

"There were three or four big chances for us that the goalkeeper saved. That is the frustration too when the opposition keeper has a good game and the ball doesn't go in, but that's football and I hope we can from the first half and always play 100% for the full 90 minutes."

Celtic head coach Elena Sadiku: "I'm really proud of the girls, I thought they played the game plan really well.

"We played to our strengths both attacking and defencing-wise. If we defend more in the second half, we're really hard to break.

"I'm happy with the quality we have, you can see that in the performance, but we need to strengthen some positions.

"We need one more centre back and one more offensive player. One player is coming next week and hopefully another just after that.

"It was all about the setting the tone and a mark for who we want to be this season. We need to keep building and developing because this is only the start."

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Montrose manager Craig Feroz: "I thought we were outstanding, especially in the first half.

"The first 10 minutes, we gave them a game and the first goal was brilliant but it's difficult when you go down to 10.

"We've made a few good signing and I thought they were excellent today. We've got everything in our locker to survive again and maybe push on some more."

Rangers manager Leanne Crichton: "The objective was three points coming up to Montrose. We knew it was going to be difficult, they had recruited well and finished strong last season.

"In the first half we caught up in the battle and failed to adjust quick enough, but we managed to get into a really good rhythm in the second half.

"The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind but it's about doing a job and preparing the team to make sure they're ready.

"The team is really good in terms of the quality we've got. Kathryn Hill made her 100th appearance and she rounded that off with goal. Those moments are nice, especially at the start of the season.

"We'll be looking to add to it in the coming weeks before the transfer window closes and we'll strengthen where we can."

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Hamilton Academical manager Robert Watson: "Football can be cruel.

"We made errors at both ends of the pitch. We should've scored three or four goals.

"It's a cruel way to lose but it's very encouraging in the way we played and how much guts and desire we showed to play on the front foot."

Partick Thistle head coach David Elliot: "We had plenty of chances but they had chances as well.

"You just need to take them, that makes the game a lot easier and you can dictate the tempo, but we didn't take those chances and I wish we had.

"Leaving it to the last minute made a lot of people nervous, myself included."