Scottish Women's Football

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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.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at New Douglas Park

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Katie Wilkinson's wonderful free-kick ensured Rangers will have the opportunity to win the SWPL Cup for a third consecutive season as they defeated Celtic in a frenetic Old Firm derby.

After a fairly quiet and even first half, the game sprung to life three minutes after the break when Rio Hardy capitalised on a sleeping Celtic defence from close-range.

While the first goal was easy, the second was exceptional.

From more than 20 yards out, striker Wilkinson curled a fantastic free-kick into the top corner to leave goalkeeper Chloe Logan grasping at air.

Only a matter of minutes after celebrating her side's goal, Rangers head coach Jo Potter was sent off for holding the ball behind her back while waiting for one of her players to take a throw in.

Not long after, Elena Sadiku in the Celtic dugout was yellow carded by referee Abbie Hendry after she continued to express her displeasure at a string of decisions.

The choices her team made weren't always the best, either, with Emma Lawton's stabbed finish in extra-time nothing more than a consolation.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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While much of the talk this week has been about Rangers and Celtic potentially joining the WSL in future, bosses Jo Potter and Elena Sadiku are fully focused on the task at hand - the SWPL Cup semi-final.

According to reports, external, both sides of the Old Firm have held exploratory talks with the top flight down south.

"That's not my focus, that's not something I've been speaking about," Potter said as she prepares for Sunday's semi-final against Celtic.

"We've got full focus on Celtic in what is a big game for us."

Celtic head coach Sadiku shared similar sentiment: "I think if we talk about the WSL rumours, it's nothing we can focus on or should think about."

The rivals meet on Sunday with a spot in the first final of the SWPL season up for grabs.

Flash back to this time last year and Sadiku had just taken over as Fran Alonso's successor at Celtic. Her first task was an Old Firm showdown for a place in the SWPL Cup final.

Rangers edged that game 3-2 and went on to lift the trophy before making it a double with the Scottish Cup - but it was Celtic who took bragging rights in the league, winning it on the last day for their first Scottish women's title.

Visitors Rangers go into Sunday's showdown unbeaten in the past four Old Firm derbies, winning 3-2 in the most recent meeting in November.

"Any time we can step out winners and beat them it's always a bonus," said Potter. "We've managed to do it in our last league game so we've got to take confidence from it.

"These games always look slightly different because they bring a special spice to it."

And Sadiku can't wait for another crack at beating her rivals.

"I don't think the girls are fearing them, they're confident we can win against Rangers," she said.

"The Glasgow derby is different, there's a big history between us and them. There's more pressure, they mean more. It's a great game to experience and I love being a part of it."

Hibs host Aberdeen in second semi-final

Image source, Colin Poultney/SWPL

Hibs are serial winners in this competition with seven League Cup triumphs, and 12 final appearances, to their name.

No other team has won it more. Aberdeen, on the other hand, have never reached the final.

While it's been almost six years since Hibs contested - and won - their last League Cup final, current manager Grant Scott is calling on his players to write their names into club folklore.

"Our history is one thing but we need to make some new history now and this group is more than capable," said Scott.

Aberdeen manager Scott Booth lost two League Cup finals - both to Hibs - during his Glasgow City tenure and has endured a tough start in the Pittodrie hotseat as his side languish in the SWPL relegation zone.

But Booth has begun bolstering his squad, with Northern Ireland internationals Toni-Leigh Finnegan and Kerry Beattie joining the Dons - both should be available for Sunday's match.

"Ultimately, if you can stay in the game, if we can get that bit right, then you just never know, you can find yourself in a cup final," Booth said.

Watch live on BBC

Celtic v Rangers will be live on BBC Alba so you can watch all action on your telly, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app. It kicks off at 16:10 BST.

We'll also have full live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app from 16:00, covering both matches.

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Celtic have signed Swedish winger Emma Westin on a deal until summer 2026.

The 26-year-old makes the switch from Hammarby, where she spent four years after returning to her homeland following a spell in the US.

Westin helped her side complete a Swedish league and cup double in 2023.

"It feels incredible to have signed for Celtic," the forward told club media, external.

"It's such a big club and just being around here and walking around all the facilities is amazing. I'm really happy to be here.

"Seeing the largeness of this club is something that excited me about moving to Celtic. I get a really good impression of Elena [Sadiku] and the rest of the staff."

Head coach Sadiku added: "Emma is a player that gives everything for the team. Her physicality and her technical abilities will help us both offensively and defensively."

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Aberdeen have signed Hearts and Northern Ireland striker Kerry Beattie on loan until the end of the season.

The 22-year-old, who previously had a spell with Glasgow City, has netted two goals in 11 appearances for Hearts since arriving from Glentoran on a two-year deal last summer.

Beattie links up with Northern Ireland team-mate and fellow new arrival Toni-Leigh Finnegan at the Dons.

"I'm delighted to make the move to Aberdeen," Beattie said.

"It is important for me that I can get the game-time I need, I want to kick on with the national team as well.

"I can't wait to get started and hopefully I can hit the ground running."

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Glasgow City forward Sophia Martin has joined Montrose on loan for the remainder of the SWPL season.

The 17-year-old became the youngest Scottish women's player to sign professional terms in 2023 and has made 21 first-team appearances for Leanne Ross' side, although only one off the bench this term.

The Scotland youth international joins Craig Feroz's side as they look to keep their place in the top flight for next season.

Montrose currently sit ninth in the table and are outside the relegation zone on goal difference.

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Northern Ireland midfielder Toni-Leigh Finnegan has left Cliftonville to sign for Scottish side Aberdeen.

The 23-year-old, who can also operate in defence, has spent her senior career with the Reds after progressing from the club's academy.

She played an integral role as John McGrady's side won a domestic treble last season and completed an 'invincible' Women's Premiership season.

Finnegan has won 10 caps for Northern Ireland after making her debut in March 2020.

Scott Booth's Aberdeen side are 10th in the Scottish Women's Premier League table.

"I'm really excited to be at Aberdeen. It is a big move in my career, and I'm excited to get started and learn from Scott and the rest of the girls," she told the club's website.

"I feel like this is the natural next step for me."

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Hibernian striker Kathleen McGovern has been named SWPL player of the month for December.

The Scotland under-23 star scored three goals in the two league games Hibs' played, including a brace in a stunning 3-0 win over Rangers.

Her second goal in that match also earned her the goal of the month award, as her swerving shot found the top corner and wrapped up all three points for Grant Scott's side.

The 22-year-old has scored 20 goals in all competitions this season and, with 14 in the league alone, sits fifth in the goalscoring rankings.

It is the second time this season that a Hibs player has won the award, after Abbie Ferguson picked up the accolade in August following a fine start to the campaign.

She beat competition from fellow nominees Carla Boyce of Partick Thistle, Erin Husband of Hearts, and Samantha van Diemen of Glasgow City.

Scotland captain Rachel Corsie has suffered a setback on her return from injury after picking up a calf strain.

The Aston Villa defender missed both sets of play-offs for the national team against Hungary and Finland after undergoing surgery on her knee.

The 35-year-old was on track to make her return to Villa's squad this weekend as the Women's Super League resumes after the winter break, but her stint on the sidelines will continue after feeling a niggle in her calf last week.

"The knee is feeling really, really good, but unfortunately, I picked up a bit of a calf injury at the end of last week," Corsie said on the BBC's Behind the Goals podcast.

"I was primed and almost due to be back in the squad for this weekend, so that was really, really disappointing but it's one of these things.

"Calves are quite often tricky, and age plays into that too. We're probably only five days on from first feeling it so this first week, it's important to try and be as slow as possible and let it heal. That'll give me the best chance to try and be out for as little time as possible.

"I hate doing as little as possible so the last couple of days have been a challenge."

Corsie went under the knife at the beginning of October and admitted it's been "a tough journey".

"The knee has been really tough, it's been so frustrating," she added.

"I've had a lot of knee surgeries, a lot of rehabs but I've always found with rehab, it's a process of diligence and hard work and that gets you there, but this time there was a lot of additional pain. It's been a real tough journey.

"I finally got to a place where I felt really, really good and that was really nice and then I've just picked up this little niggle. Hopefully not too long, but unfortunately back on the treatment table."

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