Scottish Women's Football

Image source, SNS

Amy Gallacher is expecting a "tough game" against Partick Thistle on Sunday.

The reigning champions poached Thistle defender Emma Lawton from the part-time outfit on deadline day and her debut in green and white could be up against her old teammates.

"[We're expecting] A hard test," the midfielder told CelticTV, external.

"It's always a hard game against them.

"Brian [Graham] has got them well drilled, they're a hard team to play against. It'll be a tough game but hopefully we can get the three points.

"One game at a time, we've got a tough run in but focus on the league first and take what comes."

Image source, Getty Images

Rangers signing Charlie Devlin can't wait to continue working with Jo Potter.

The midfielder joined the Glasgow side on deadline day on a season-long loan from Birmingham City, Potter's former club.

"There is no better feeling than holding up a trophy," Devlin told club media, external.

"That is something that every player wants to do and I just want to keep doing that.

"I feel like at Birmingham I was at a standstill and I have worked with Jo before and when she spoke to me about the ambition of the club and what she's trying to achieve I was on board and I wanted to come as soon as possible.

"When I worked with Jo she made me feel good, she made me understand more about my playing style and she let me be me and I think that is the main thing as a player.

"When a manager lets us be who you are as a player and I am excited to continue that."

Image source, SNS

Motherwell have signed Laura Berry from fellow SWPL side Rangers on a season-long loan deal.

The 17-year-old also spent last season on loan with the Women of Steel as they finished seventh in the top flight.

Image source, SNS

After the high of their Champions League exploits, might Celtic come a cropper at Partick Thistle on Sunday?

Having come through ties against KuPS of Finland and Lithuanians Gintra, Elena Sadiku's side will host Vorskla Poltava of Ukraine later this month as they bid to make history by reaching the group stage.

First, though, the reigning SWPL champions have domestic matters to attend to, with a trip on Sunday to a Thistle side who thrashed Motherwell 4-0 last time out.

Former Scotland and Celtic goalkeeper Gemma Fay reckons the Petershill Park tussle is the pick of the weekend action as Thistle look to spring an upset.

Celtic are unbeaten in the league so far, with four wins and a draw, while Brian Graham's team have lost to Hibs, Rangers and Glasgow City, but are looking to make it three games without defeat.

"That's the game that sparks my attention," Fay said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Celtic have been away doing Champions League exploits and they're into that final qualification round. They've lost Chloe Craig to an ACL injury, which is a huge miss for them in defence.

"Partick Thistle have had a bit of a yo-yo start, but they were sensational against Motherwell last week.

"Celtic's league form has been good, but it's not been great. Elena Sadiku would admit that herself.

"You've got Celtic coming back from Europe. You've got Partick Thistle coming off a really good performance against Motherwell.

"It's going to be back at Petershill as well, which, even though it's going to have a new pitch, it's still a really tight, windy place.

"That will be a tricky fixture for Celtic if we get the Partick Thistle we know can make it really, really difficult for the top sides, which they've done for the last couple of seasons.

"That has the potential of being a banana skin."

How to follow the weekend action on BBC

You can watch Partick Thistle v Celtic (16:10 BST kick-off) on Sunday live on BBC Alba and the BBC Sport website, app and iPlayer.

We will also bring you live text coverage of Sunday's full six-game SWPL card, which includes Hearts v Aberdeen, Glasgow City's visit to Motherwell, and Rangers at home to Spartans.

Every goal and talking point will be covered, with the live text starting from 12:50 on the BBC Sport website and app.

Then, on Monday night, watch the best of the weekend action on the SWPL highlights show on BBC Scotland at 19:00.

Image source, Getty Images

Rangers have signed attacking midfielder Charlie Devlin on a deadline day season-long loan from Birmingham City.

The 26-year-old former Manchester United and Leicester City player grabbed six goals in 31 appearances for the Midlands side, initially joining on loan in 2022.

She becomes Rangers' sixth signing of the transfer window.

Image source, SWPL

SWPL champions Celtic have signed defender Emma Lawton from Partick Thistle and forward Morgan Cross from Motherwell in a transfer deadline day double deal.

Both players have signed three-year deals with Elena Sadiku's side.

Lawton makes the move to full-time football after a standout season last term, where she was named Thistle's player of the year.

"Emma will be a big loss but as a club we won’t stand in her way of full-time football and achieving her dreams," said Thistle women's manager Brian Graham.

"She is a model professional and a role model already to so many girls and I’m sure she’ll continue to progress in the game and go on to even bigger and better things."

Lawton rejoined Thistle last season, where she started her career as a 15-year-old, following spells at Manchester City and Motherwell.

Cross joined Motherwell last season and, despite injury issues, scored 10 times in 28 appearances - which earned her a call-up to the Scotland under-23 squad.

Image source, SNS

The next Edinburgh derby between Hearts and Hibernian will take place at Tynecastle and be shown live on the BBC.

The SWPL match, which has been moved from Oriam, kicks off at 16:10 BST on Sunday, 17 November and entry is free.

The game will be shown on BBC Alba as well as the BBC Sport website, app and iPlayer.

The sides met for the first time this season last Friday, with Hearts winning 4-0 at Easter Road to go second in the table and shatter Hibs' unbeaten start.

Image source, Malcom McKenzie, SWPL

Hibs winger Abbie Ferguson has been named SWPL player of the month for August.

The 20-year-old scored one goal and contributed three assists as Grant Scott's side went unbeaten - including four consecutive wins - in their five games last month.

Former Celtic and Partick Thistle youngster Ferguson said winning the award for the first time is "special".

"Over the last month, I think it's been the best I've played for Hibs, so to get recognition for it is really nice," the Scotland Under-19 added.

"I hope I can continue this form and help the team in any way I can throughout the season."

Image source, SNS

Given the tight nature of past Edinburgh derbies, few would have predicted Hearts' 4-0 thrashing of rivals Hibs last weekend - including Scotland captain Rachel Corsie.

Hibs bested the Jambos three times in four meetings last year and despite both teams starting the season strongly, and the game being played at Easter Road, it was Eva Olid's side who triumphed on Friday night.

"Hibs took us by surprise a wee bit, we've been asking the question - will we see a Hibs more familiar to the one that we're more familiar with?" Corsie said on the BBC's Behind The Goals podcast.

"I did expect it to be closer but when you look at the game, on the whole it was a really good watch. Eilidh Shore's goal to kick things off was a really good finish.

"The fact there was 4,000 in attendance is a good marker. I'd like to see that a lot higher because once people realise there's a rivalry amongst the players, in a healthy way, both sets of fans will get behind their team."

Going into the match, Hibs had only dropped points this season - against Celtic - while Hearts had only lost to Glasgow City.

"I was surprised, I thought it would be a closer contest," former Scotland midfielder and current Motherwell coach Leanne Crichton.

"We [Motherwell] have played against both sides in recent weeks and I didn't see there being a gulf between them.

"Hibs didn't carry a goal threat, didn't capitalise and score. That was disappointing from their perspective. What an unbelievable result for Hearts and another statement to continue their form.

"It's a sore one for Hibs and I've no doubt they'll already be looking for the next derby, when it is, and trying to seek revenge. That's not to take away from the good start they've had to the season.

Image source, SNS

Celtic will host both legs of their Champions League round two qualifier against Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava at the Excelsior Stadium later this month.

The sides meet on 22 and 26 September with the winner of the tie advancing to the Champions League group stage. It will also be the first time Celtic have played a European game on Scottish soil.

No Scottish side has made it to the group stage of the competition since it was introduced in the 21-22 season.

Elena Sadiku's side beat Finnish club KuPS and hosts FC Gintra in Lithuania in round one, while Vorskla defeated SFK Riga and Ferencvaros in Hungary to progress.

Celtic's home match against Montrose, previously scheduled for 22 September, will now be played on 19 September at Links Park.

Alicia Yates (Spartans): Kept a clean sheet and made some big saves in a fantastic 3-0 win at Montrose, Spartans' first victory of the season.

Emma Lawton (Partick Thistle): Brilliant early-season at the back and adding goals to her game, netting the fourth in the rout of Motherwell.

Niamh Noble (Aberdeen): Good performance and scored the equaliser at an important time to secure a point against Dundee United.

Robyn McCafferty (Spartans): Always leads by example at the back. Captain, player of the match and also got her first goal of the season.

Lisa Evans (Glasgow City): Brings brilliant experience and composure to Glasgow City. Another impressive performance plus a couple of assists in the 8-0 trouncing of Queen's Park.

Eilidh Shore (Hearts): An incredible first goal in a Hearts shirt and a fantastic midfield performance in the Edinburgh derby victory.

Joely Andrews (Hearts): Worked tirelessly and two assists in a dominant display in the derby.

Keira Chuter (Spartans): A creative spark with an important goal and assist on Sunday.

Nicole Kozlova (Glasgow City): The Ukraine striker started on the bench but her second half hat-trick makes it hard to not be included. Looks to be a good signing for City.

Ellie May Cowie (Dundee Utd): Scored a screamer, goal of the day? Nice controlled attacking performance and best player on the pitch against Aberdeen.

Sofia Maata (Glasgow City): Great pace and direct player. Two goals, two assists and will be a huge player for City this season

We asked for your thoughts on last weekend's SWPL action.

Here's what you had to say:

Stuart: Went to watch Partick Thistle who turned up for the whole 90 minutes - a change from the opening few fixtures. Still not sure the club know how to best play Carla Boyce. Demi Falconer and Rosie Slater denied Motherwell any real opportunities.

Joe: Hibs were outplayed by their rivals, it was a disappointing performance and much of the good feeling around the start they have made will have evaporated.

Richard: Fantastic first in maroon for Eilidh Shore, followed by determined slot in from Georgia Timms, a stormer from Monica Forsyth and the icing on the cake from a wonderful pass and goal from Jackie Richards.

Image source, SNS

Hearts defender Carly Girasoli is set to miss the remainder of the 24/25 SWPL after rupturing her ACL.

The centre-back had to be subbed off in Friday night's 4-0 derby win over Hibs and is now awaiting surgery to begin her rehabilitation.

"Carly has been key to our success over the last year," manager Eva Olid told the Hearts website, external.

"Sometimes, football brings difficult moments that we all have to deal with but these moments make us stronger.

"The type of leader Carly is both on the pitch and off it, I have no doubt she has the strength of character to come through a setback like this and she will know that we will all be with her every step of the way."

Image source, Getty Images

Vorskla Poltava stand between Celtic and reaching the Women's Champions League group stage for the first time, with the Ukrainian side hoping to make the same history themselves.

Natalya Zinchenko's side were seeded for the "champions path" section of Monday's draw courtesy of being 29th in Uefa's co-efficient table, 53 places above Celtic.

But it was one of the kindest draws the Scottish champions could have had, avoiding five teams ranked between 10 and 17 in Europe, with only the Netherlands' Twente ranked below their Ukrainian counterparts.

It should also be pointed out that Gintra, who Celtic beat 2-0 in Lithuania to qualify from their first-round group tournament, were themselves rated 36 spots ahead of the Glasgow side.

The higher ranking is largely because, while Celtic clinched their first national title last season, Vorskla Poltava have won theirs four more times since their first in 2016.

Not all those were under their current name as, until 2022, they were known as Zhytlobud-2 Kharkiv before changing title - and moving 89 miles south west to a different city further from the border with Russia.

They have played Scottish opposition once previously, under their previous name, drawing 1-1 with Hibernian in the 2017 Champions League league qualification group stage when the Edinburgh side finished second behind hosts Olimpia Cluj of Romania.

Indeed, under both guises, they have only progressed beyond the qualifying rounds once - before losing to Shymkent of Kazakhstan in the round of 32 three years ago.

Former Ukraine midfielder Zinchenko has been team boss since 2021, the 44-year-old having spent the previous three years as national head coach.

Eleven of her squad are part of Volodymyr Pyatenko's current Ukraine set-up, including 60-times capped attacking midfielder Yana Kalinina.

They currently lie second on goal difference behind Metalist 1925 Kharkiv after winning their opening four games of their new Premier League season.

Meanwhile, they set up their meeting with Celtic by easing aside Latvian side Riga 5-0 before beating mini qualifying tournament hosts Ferencvaros 2-0 in Hungary, with Ukraine defender Kateryna Korsun scoring twice in the semi-final and once in the final.

Watch all the highlights as Hearts beat Hibs at Easter Road in the SWPL.

Available to UK users only.

Image source, SNS

Montrose manager Craig Feroz:

"I'm just disappointed for the girls, we never played like we can but credit to Spartans they were brilliant in the first half.

"I thought in the second half we were on top but couldn't get our chances. We've been in this position before, I think Spartans came here last season and beat us 3-0 and we went on to finish above them.

"It's a long road, it's a marathon not a sprint. I think it was nine or 10 games before we got a point last season so we're in a better place."

Spartans manager Jack Beesley:

"It was an emotional rollercoaster but I thought it was a deserved win.

"We feel like we've had some good performances but haven't quite got what we deserved, I think this performance was what we deserved.

"We showed that we can also be resilient when needed so I'm delighted for the girls because they've ben outstanding, put in so much effort so it's a good reward for them."