Scottish Women's Football

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Defender Caley Gibb has signed a one-year contract with Hibernian after a successful loan spell with the SWPL champions last term.

Gibb made 10 appearances during her stint on loan from Partick Thistle in the second half of last season, playing a role in Hibs' histortic title triumph.

"It feels amazing to be here. To be here playing full-time is something I've always wanted to do. I'm delighted," said Gibb.

"These past few months have been incredible. It's something I've dreamed of since I was a wee girl. I'm definitely still living the dream and I'm looking forward to representing the club again."

The 21-year-old becomes Grant Scott's first signing ahead of the 2025-26 season.

The Hibs boss praised the "exciting prospect" and added: "We are delighted to secure Caley's signature after last season's successful loan spell.

"She really stepped up after arriving and put in top performances post-split to help us win the league.

"Caley is also a young, exciting prospect that we are pleased to bring back to the club on a full-time basis, and I am very much looking forward to seeing her develop further here."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hamilton Academical WFC have no plans to change their name or branding, as they believe an existing agreement remains valid.

The men's and the women's clubs are not legally affiliated and run financially independently.

The women's side received consent to use the same name and badge as the men's side from the previous men's club board.

However, earlier this month, they were contacted by the current club's board and ordered to change their name and stop using the club badge.

The board, who took control of the men's club two years ago, said they had plans to start a new women's club and academy. BBC Scotland understands that no such formal application has as yet been made to the SWF, required for such a move.

A source close to the women's side has told BBC Scotland that the old board of directors fully support their stance and are adamant they should not be making any changes.

The source also told us that the women's club put in over £100,000 into Hamilton Academical as part of their working partnership for over a decade and the old board recognise that fully.

Much of this money came from the hiring of New Douglas Park, where the women's side will continue playing.

Hamilton Accies WFC have had no further contact from the men's club's board of directors since that request over a name change was made.

The women's side won the SWPL 2 title last season, bouncing straight back up to the top flight after relegation in 2024.

BBC Scotland has contacted the club's current board for comment.

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Hearts have confirmed that Northern Ireland international Kerry Beattie has left the club, while defender Jess Broadrick has re-joined Aberdeen.

Beattie and Broadrick spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at Balmoral, with the latter now re-signing for the club she broke through at.

The Dons have already confirmed the loan signing of Australian full-back Emma Ilijoski, who joins from Hearts on another temporary spell.

Elsewhere, Hamilton Accies have signed Sarah Gibb from Lanarkshire rivals Motherwell, as well as former Celtic midfielder Lucy Barclay after her departure from Parkhead. She is a recent Scotland under-19 international.

Gibb was one of four players released by Motherwell, including Emily Mutch, Rachel Todd and Eve Donald. Goalkeeper Mutch recently picked up two Scotland under-23 caps in friendlies against Iceland.

Finally, Partick Thistle midfielder Lucy Sinclair has undergone surgery on an injured ACL. The 22-year-old will miss a large chunk of next season.

Daldeep Kaur
BBC Sport Scotland

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Midfielder Ellis Notley insists it will take "a full squad effort" if Hibernian are to progress in the Women's Champions League.

The SWPL champions will face Danish champions Fortuna Hjorring in the second round of qualifying, with Apollon or Young Boys waiting in the next tie.

Notley, 26, admits it will be a tough challenge for Grant Scott's side, but she is adamant they will be "competitive" at the top level if they manage to get "the very best" out of each other.

"We as a club and as a team are excited," she said.

"From the 18s, the women's team and the men's team, we're all in playing European football, so that's obviously a fantastic achievement for all involved.

"We know it's going to be tough, playing the best of the best teams in Europe will be challenging, but we'll be prepared as a group to go and be competitive and see where it takes us.

"There are going to be a lot of games, but you see it in the men's game, the best teams are playing a high volume of games and that's where you want to be, you want to be competing as much as you can.

"For us as a squad, it'll be about managing players, managing the team, utilising the full squad so we can get the very best out of every individual, but most importantly get performances and results on the pitch."

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Hearts, who finished fifth last term, will face the four teams who filled the spots above them within their first six SWPL games next season.

Eva Olid's side face both sides of the Old Firm in the opening two weeks, kicking off their campaign at home to Celtic before a trip to take on Rangers.

The Jambos did beat Elena Sadiku's side in both home league games last season, including a statement 3-1 win in the first post-split game, while they dealt a decisive blow to Rangers' title charge on the final day of the pre-split campaign at Broadwood, by holding Jo Potter's side to a 2-2 draw.

Facing the pair at the start of the season, when neither have the distraction of European football, is very different, though.

The other two, who finished first and second last season - Hibernian and Glasgow City, of course - will have that one eye on the continent, however.

By the time reigning champions Hibs make the short trip across the city, they will have already faced Fortuna Hjorring and one of Apollon/Young Boys in their second round of Women's Champions League qualifying.

It's worth noting Hearts had a strong record against the eventual title-winners last season - two wins and two losses in the SWPL, plus a win in the Scottish Cup.

But they were defeated in both league games at Oriam, where the first meeting next season will take place.

The same rule can be applied for meetings with City. Hearts didn't pick up a positive result at Petershill Park last term but held Leanne Ross' side to a couple of stalemates in Edinburgh.

Daldeep Kaur
BBC Sport Scotland

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Ellis Notley says it has been a "whirlwind" month since Hibernian lifted their first SWPL title in 18 years, but the midfielder says the champions will be prepared to retain their status.

Hibs welcome Aberdeen on the opening day of the 2025-26 season, and 26-year-old Notley insists the team can replicate last term's success.

"It took a good few weeks to properly settle in, what we as a group had achieved, it probably still doesn't feel 100% real going into pre-season next week," Notley told BBC Scotland.

"It's been a whirlwind last month or so with getting recognition when you're out and about. The group needed to rest, recharge, recover and come back next week ready to go again.

"The last two days for us as a club and a team have been exciting. You always look to the first game and it's nice to have a home fixture so we can be at Meadowbank for kicking off the new campaign.

"Hopefully we can get a big crowd to support the team on that day, but then looking towards the rest of the season, it'll be tough - there are lots of very good teams in the league."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Reducing the SWPL to 10 teams was a "no-brainer" and the decision will "add an edge" to the league, says Glasgow City assistant manager Leanne Crichton.

The former Scotland midfielder admits the call must have been hard for teams who were going to be impacted by it, but she says it will help develop the league.

"In the race for the title that we've seen over the last three or four seasons, it's been unlike anything else Europe," Crichton told BBC Scotland.

"So if we can keep that and maintain that, and add the competition across the board, I see it being a real positive."

Crichton also believes reducing the amount of fixtures will also "be massive" for the players.

"The fixture and the scheduling was one of the highest in Europe," she adds.

"When I see how tired and fatigued a lot of the players are, and even when the season ended you're straight into another international window, it's a gruelling schedule.

"I see it as a good thing, and I hope that we'll see that this season."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Ibrox will host more Rangers women's matches "than ever before" next season.

A club statement says the Govan ground will "become the home venue for SWPL matches, subject to scheduling clashes".

However, Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld will continue "to be a venue for the women's team when Ibrox is unavailable".

The club say "uncertainty of the men's European fixtures, especially midweek games, will also need to be taken into account".

The statement adds: "While the club is excited to host the majority of women's games at Ibrox next season, it is important to stress that not every home game will be played there.

"The goal is to use Ibrox as often as possible, but scheduling conflicts will be the main factor in determining whether a game is held at Ibrox."

Some of these clashes are known, others aren't. The first obvious crossover comes early into the new season.

Sunday, 31 August, the third round of SWPL fixtures when Rangers face Motherwell at home, their male counterparts host Celtic in the first Old Firm derby of the season.

Despite the SWPL website listing Ibrox as the venue for this match, it is more than likely that Rangers women will play this fixture at Broadwood, their home for the last three years.

Other factors the club say they will consider in all of this are the Ibrox playing surface and the quality of fan experience.

Meanwhile, women's and girls' managing director Donald Gillies says the decision to move the majority of the club's SWPL games to Ibrox marks a "key milestone".

"This is a big day for our women's first team, and indeed, the entire women's programme at Rangers," he added.

"Ibrox is one of the most recognisable venues anywhere in football, and to know we'll be playing even more games there than ever before will be a huge thrill for the team, and I am sure our supporters too.

"This move will not only help attract top talent to the team, but also ensure we continue to retain and develop our players as we push for greater success."

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With the top flight reverting to 10 teams this season, it takes no time for tasty fixtures to come around.

Matchday four, scheduled for Sunday, 7 September, sees the derby-day special, which has become commonplace in the division.

Celtic host currently-managerless Rangers, Hearts welcome reigning champions Hibernian and Motherwell entertain last season's SWPL2 winners Hamilton Academical.

The reversed derby fest will take place on Sunday, 16 November.

The first meeting between last season's top two - Hibs and Glasgow City - was pencilled in on matchday four - 31 August - but due to their European matches, they will instead face each other on Wednesday, 1 October.

The return fixture between the pair will take place on Sunday, 23 November.

After 18 fixtures, the SWPL will split into a top six and a bottom four, with the clubs playing each other twice, once at home and once away.

If the last few seasons are anything to go by, the post-split fixtures will be highly anticipated, highly competitive and highly influential.

Adam Binnie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Hibernian midfielder Kirsten Reilly sees no reason why Hibernian can't cause a shock in the Champions League, just like they did in the SWPL this season.

The capital club surprised everyone by winning their first league title in 18 years - pipping Rangers and Glasgow City at the post.

Their prize for finishing top is a second round of Champions League qualifying tie against Danish title winners Fortuna Hjorring, in the champions path.

Should they win that, they will face the winners of the match between Cypriot champions Apollon Ladies and Swiss title holders Young Boys.

Reilly knows it's "a big challenge" but insists everyone at the club is excited by it and keen to surprise folks again.

"Obviously, it's going to be tough opposition no matter who we got," the 29-year-old said.

£They're a very strong team in their own league, but we're really looking forward to it and excited for the challenge.

"I mean, we've already surprised people by winning the league, so why not do it again?

"We are confident in our own ability, so we just need to take the same game we played last season into the Champions League and hopefully it'll work there as well.

"The teams we have been drawn against are all great teams. They've won many leagues domestically as well, but I think the world's our oyster in this tournament.

"We can win this little group that we're in and hopefully we can progress to the next stages."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Glasgow City assistant coach Leanne Crichton says their Champions League second qualifying draw against Austria Vienna is "super exciting".

City, who finished as runners-up in the SWPL, three points behind Hibs, take on Austria Vienna for the right to play Minsk.

The unusual second-round qualifying format involves teams being grouped together for mini-tournaments at yet-to-be-determined venues.

"It's super exciting," Crichton told BBC Scotland.

"For the club, there's been a real anticipation around the draw and waiting for the news to come through.

"I think the big thing for us last season was ensuring that we got that Champions League spot, whether it was finishing first or second.

"For the club and everything that it's been about and the foundations that it's built on now, if success isn't silverware, then for us it's certainly competing in Europe.

"I'm delighted to be back and a top opponent to look forward to playing against.

"Our team from last season will probably look different if they're looking to analyse us and try and prepare for the team that they're going to come up against.

"Similarly, I'm sure it will be the same for us but it's absolutely getting your teeth into it and trying to find out as much as you possibly can."

Scottish champions Hibernian will face Danish title winners Fortuna Hjorring in the second round of Women's Champions League qualifying, while Glasgow City take on Austria Vienna.

Hibs, who were the shock title winners after a dramatic final day, will face the winner of Apollon Ladies, champions of Cyprus, or Swiss title holders Young Boys should they overcome Fortuna.

City, who finished as runners-up, three points behind Hibs, will take on Austria Vienna for the right to take on Minsk for a place in the third qualifying round.

What do you make of the draw? Let us know your thoughts here.

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League-winning defender and "key component" Lauren Doran-Barr has signed a one-year contract extension with Hibernian.

The right-back, 24, has made 68 appearances for the capital club since joining from Motherwell two years ago and had interest from other clubs.

She played a pivotal part in Grant Scott's side's SWPL success last season and she says that title win has made her "hungry for more".

"After an unforgettable season winning the league with such a special group, I'm delighted to continue my journey with the club," she told club media.

"That feeling of success just fuels the hunger for more and, as a group, we're determined to build on it.

"This is exactly the kind of ambitious and driven environment you want to be part of as a player."

Head coach Scott said it was "a real boost" to secure the services of Doran-Barr for next season.

"We're absolutely delighted to keep Lauren for the upcoming season," he added.

"She's been a consistent performer and a key component of our defensive line that's kept so many clean sheets.

"She's been vital to our success and it's a real boost to know she's chosen to stay with us, despite interest from elsewhere.

"She's an important part of what we're building here."

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Celtic have confirmed Lucy Ashworth-Clifford and Colette Cavanagh are among seven players leaving the SWPL club.

Murphy Agnew, Mathilde Carstens, Kit Loferski, Bruna Lorenco and Luana Munoz are also moving on.

"Thank you for all your major contributions," the club said on X.

Celia Barclais, Kelsey Daugherty and Abi Harrison remain in discussions about their futures.

Elena Sadiku's side finished fourth in the SWPL in season 2024-25.

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Aberdeen boss Scott Booth has made Montrose forward Holly Daniel his first signing of the summer transfer window.

The 17-year-old, who has agreed a two-year deal with the Dons, made over 50 top-flight appearances for Montrose and her eight goals were key to their survival last season.

"It feels really good to be an Aberdeen player. I've been a fan all of my life and I can't wait to get started," said Scotland Under-17 international Daniel.

Booth is delighted to add the "dangerous forward" to his squad.

"Holly has proven she can score goals at this level. She will be a welcome addition to the group," he added.

"For her age she has an impressive amount of experience in senior football, and she has expressed a real desire to kick on and continue to develop at Aberdeen."