Scottish Women's Football

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Glasgow City assistant manager Leanne Crichton: "The objective at this stage of the season was the three points and add some goals which we managed to do. Every player across the pitch was at the full intensity we were looking for.

"From middle to front we've got real strength and depth. I think our standards slipped, I'd have liked to have seen a 90-minute performance based on the opening 20 minutes."

Aberdeen manager Scott Booth: "It was a tough game, we knew it would be. I thought outwith a 15-minute spell where we lost four goals I felt like we competed really well against them.

"The players were playing for each other and making sure we kept the score down."

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Hibernian manager Grant Scott: "We've been trying to start matches with a real intensity and it was pleasing to see us take the chances when they come.

"If we can keep not losing games I'll be delighted, we've conceded fewer goals than we've done for a number of years now and we've got threats up front so hopefully we can keep winning matches."

Spartans manager Jack Beesley: "The first half was really disappointing, yes the scoreline but mores o we didn't look anything like ourselves. Once they go a goal or two up you're hopefully damage limitation.

"I was a bit surprised, I didn't see that performance coming from us. Having said that I thought Hibs were very good but we also contributed heavily to our own downfall."

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Rangers manager Jo Potter: "The energy levels were up 200% from our last game which we knew we needed. When you have a lot of options in possession it can sometimes be difficult to pick the right option but I think nine times out of 10 we did that.

"We don't want to have another blip and we know we have to lift our levels again next week."

Queen's Park manager Iain Robinson: "We spoke to the girls before the game, we knew how difficult it would be.

"I felt in the first half we didn't match them but we prevented them from playing as much as we could.

"These games will not define our season but it's the attitude towards the game which will define what happens for us for the rest of the season."

SWPL fans, were you at any of the games on Sunday or following the action from home? Either way, we want your views on a free-scoring return to the top flight.

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Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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After a three-week winter break, the SWPL gets back up and running on Sunday.

One fixture - Hearts v Montrose - has succumbed to the freezing weather, but five are still set to go ahead. Here's what to look out for...

Ellie Kane in a Thistle shirt

Last season's SWPL 2 top scorer Ellie Kane played a huge part in helping Queen's Park win promotion and, before her injury, got off to a cracking start in the top flight.

Now she's getting back on the pitch and has swapped black and white for red and yellow with a move to Partick Thistle. With Carla Boyce and Cara Henderson finding their stride for Brian Graham's side, it'll be interesting to see where Kane sits in the pecking order at Petershill.

Rangers looking to bounce back

It was a disappointing end to 2024 for Jo Potter's side, losing back-to-back matches 3-0 having conceded just 10 in the 15 previous games.

Rangers' loss to Glasgow City was compounded by a shock home defeat to Hibs. That left the Ibrox club five points behind leaders City and Potter will expect an emphatic response when her side visit Queen's Park on Sunday.

Sadiku's milestone

Sunday's game against Thistle will mark 12 months to the day since Elena Sadiku took charge of Celtic. She replaced Fran Alonso and went on to lead the Glasgow side to their first SWPL title.

As a result, she's had to contend with a hectic schedule, juggling Champions League with domestic games which has proved challenging as her side sit fifth in the SWPL, nine points off the top although with two games in hand.

The second half of the season could be the acid test of the Swede's managerial credentials.

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Aberdeen have signed Ellie May Cowie on a one-and-a-half year deal from Dundee United.

The midfielder spent half a season with the SWPL strugglers after a 15-year spell with St Johnstone and netted her first top-flight goal against the Dons earlier this season.

Cowie goes straight into Scott Booth's squad for Sunday's game against Glasgow City.

"It feels amazing to be here," the 23-year-old Dons fan told club media, external.

"I am really excited to get started, and my family are all really excited about this move as well.

"I think I am ready for the next step. I love to get forward, and I am quite versatile. I like to score goals, get assists, and I want to help the team in any way I can."

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Queen's Park host title hopefuls Rangers to kick off the SWPL's 2025 action on Sunday. You can watch that game (12:30 GMT) live on the BBC Sport website and app.

Follow all five matches with our live text commentary, which gets under way at 12:15 on the BBC Sport website and app.

The final game of the day sees Celtic host Partick Thistle, live on BBC Alba as well as the BBC Sport website and app. Coverage begins at 16:00 before the action gets going at 16:10.

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Queen's Park have appointed Iain Robinson as their new head coach.

The former Rangers women Under-17s manager replaces Craig Joyce, who departed the club last month.

Robinson has coached at a number of clubs including Morton and Partick Thistle men's teams.

David Brownlie, who worked with Robinson at Rangers, joins the Spiders as assistant coach.

The pair will take charge when second-bottom Queen's Park host second-place Rangers on Sunday as the SWPL resumes after the winter break.

"I am really looking forward to getting started at Queen's Park," Robinson said.

"I've always had ambitions to lead and work at the top of the women's game and Queen's Park are a great club to fulfil that dream.

"The challenge, which I realise will be difficult, is to stay in SWPL1. I believe that if we can get the basics right, then we have a real possibility of staying in the division."

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Hearts defender Emma Ilijoski has joined fellow SWPL side Aberdeen on a loan deal until the end of the season.

The Australian, 22, signed for the Edinburgh club last summer, but has made only four first-team appearances and moves in search of regular minutes.

"I'm very excited to be here at Aberdeen," Ilijoski said.

"It is definitely a new challenge, and I want to learn as much as I can from my teammates and the coaching staff as well. I am really looking forward to getting started and playing my part to help the team for the remainder of the season."

"Emma has not enjoyed as much game time as she would've liked, but this is a great opportunity for her to gain valuable minutes in the SWPL," Hearts head coach Eva Olid said.

"Aberdeen have a good style of play and a great reputation for developing players. I hope Emma will benefit from this, before returning to the club in the summer."

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Mya Christie has joined Spartans on loan from Hibs for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.

The 20-year-old joined Grant Scott's side in June 2023 and has made 46 first team appearances since then, including 15 this campaign.

"This loan move is a fantastic opportunity for Mya to gain valuable game time and continue her development as a player," manager Scott told club media, external.

"With limited minutes recently, this arrangement ensures she can build her confidence and sharpen her skills in a competitive environment."

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Last season's SWPL 2 top goalscorer Ellie Kane has departed Queen's Park and joined Brian Graham's Partick Thistle side.

The striker was key in the Spiders' promotion last season and picked up four successive player of the month awards on her way to helping her side lift the SWPL 2 title.

"I spoke to Brian and he was a big part of me coming here," Kane told club media, external.

"You see what he's still doing himself on a weekly basis and I see so much of the way I like to play in him so it will be fantastic to learn from him.

"I've been carrying a niggle so not played as much as I wanted to this season but I'm not far away from fitness so I can't wait to get going here and hopefully can hit the ground running with some goals."

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Forward Rammie Noel has left Glasgow City by mutual consent just six months after arriving on a two-year deal.

The American joined from Icelandic side FH Hafnarfjordur in the summer and made five appearances for the club.

Noel's solitary goal came in the 3-0 SWPL win over Hibernian in September.

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American defender Hana Kerner has left SWPL champions Celtic after a two-year stay.

The 27-year-old joined Celtic in January 2023 and helped the club to Scottish Cup success in her first few months, but missed all of last season through injury.

Kerner departs having made six appearances and two starts this term.

Leanne Crichton and Rachel Corsie discuss Rangers' recent dip in form after back-to-back SWPL defeats in the latest episode of the Behind the Goals podcast.

• Listen and subscribe to full episodes.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Emily Mutch (Motherwell): Made some important saves which played a big part in her side picking up a big point against an in-form Hearts side.

Emma Lawton (Celtic): Quick to react as she got on the end of rebounds on two occasions to add to her goal tally in the 5-0 win over Spartans. Full of intent all afternoon to race up the wing and provide an attacking outlet.

Kelly Clark (Celtic): A fine header to make life a bit more comfortable for Celtic against Spartans. Also did her well at the other end, making some timely blocks when the opposition threatened.

Sam van Diemen (Glasgow City): Didn't have a huge amount to do defensively, but the one time she had to be alert, the Dutch defender blocked the danger. Rose well for her header at the other end, helping City to a routine win over Dundee United.

Amy Muir (Glasgow City): Opened City's account with a cracker of a volley. Was always looking to play out from the back, racing forward to set up attacks.

Katie Lockwood (Glasgow City): Scored two very similar goals where reacting quickly was the name of the game. Also grabbed an assist.

Michaela McAlonie (Hibs): Provided great energy and control in the middle of the park. Was quietly effective in helping her side to a brilliant and deserved win over Rangers.

Lucy Ashworth-Clifford (Celtic): Was in the thick of the action with pinpoint deliveries. Her ball in from the corner for Clark's goal was bang on the money. Came close on a few occasions, including her effort which hit the woodwork allowing Lawton to follow up for Celtic's opener.

Lisa Forrest (Glasgow City): The 18-year-old - who has signed a new contract until 2029 - was back in the City starting 11 and took her chance well with two goals. Her second strike, a first-time volley, was executed really well.

Saoirse Noonan (Celtic): Really lively for Celtic as they retuned to league business. Scored two goals, including one from the penalty spot.

Kathleen McGovern (Hibs): Two delightful goals in a massive win for Hibs. The striker's second came moments after she'd missed a gilt-edged chance but her head didn't go down and she curled in a beauty from distance.

We asked for your views on the final SWPL weekend of action before the winter break.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Anon: More competitive looking, well done to Hibs and Hearts for pushing the top three all the way.

Chris: Rangers were rank rotten again. The gaffer looks rattled.

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Spartans manager Jack Beesley: "The result is disappointing but I think Celtic were definitely deserved winners.

"I think the frustration on our part was missing chances at key moments in the game - if one of those gets in it probably would've given us a bit more hope.

"I don't think it would've changed the result but it would've been nice for the players to have taken something."

Celtic head coach Elena Sadiku: "I think we didn't play the best game but we had many situations in the game that we played really well.

"We scored five goals, kept a clean sheet, got the three points so job done.

"It's been a really busy season, our highs have been really high and our lows have been too low. When we get back in January we need to focus on our consistency."

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Motherwell manager Paul Brownlie: "I'm really happy with a point, it is a big point for us.

"I thought we had the best opportunities and the players executed the gameplan perfectly.

"I want my players to have the belief against the full-time teams that we can go and compete against them and I think we proved that.

Hearts manager Eva Olid: "We dominated possession but in the final third we didn't have the quality we needed to score goals.

"We played nice football but they defended the goal really well and we didn't have the chances to win the game.

"The conditions were difficult but we are in Scotland, we don't have other options than to play in this weather.