Scottish Women's Football

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Shannon McGregor thinks "a lot of people are underestimating" reigning SWPL champions Celtic while the midfielder insists they're "not panicking".

McGregor made the switch to the champions in the summer from Hibernian and has impressed for Elena Sadiku's side who are "enjoying the pressure".

Celtic trail joint-leaders Glasgow City and Hibs by three points but says the squad "don't want to lose the feeling" of being champions.

"I think a lot of people are underestimating us, but I don't think we're panicking, though I do think a lot of people think we are," the Scotland midfielder said at an event at Hampden.

"But we've got the belief and the mentality in the changing room to do it. We enjoy the pressure and take each game as it comes."

Having had a congested campaign with domestic duties and group stage games in the Champions League earlier in the season, Celtic's sole focus is now on retaining the league title having been knocked out in both the Scottish and League Cup.

"The players [who won the league last year] have that fire in their stomach," the 25-year-old added.

"It's encouraging and it spreads through the changing room. They don't ever want to lose that feeling again."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Take a glance at the SWPL table and you'd be forgiven for then having a quick check at what year we're in.

The SWPL has "a nostalgic feel about it," says Hayley Lauder, with old foes Glasgow City and Hibernian topping the standings.

Only once between 2013 and 2019 did City and Hibs not finish as the top two, while the pair met in a number of cup finals too, before the investment in Old Firm women's teams.

Investment which many onlookers thought would spell the end of City's time at the top of the tree. How they've been proved wrong.

"I think the media and the noise create a narrative where because Rangers and Celtic have invested, that's the end of Glasgow City," captain Lauder told BBC Scotland.

"But I think we've very much shown that Glasgow City are going nowhere."

And with serial winners, Leanne Ross and Leanne Crichton at the helm, one wouldn't expect that to change any time soon.

Lauder is one of the few players at City to have been a team-mate of the now head coach and assistant, so is there any difference to their days on the pitch?

"They're still shouting at me, just now as coaches!" Lauder added.

"That's just who they are. They're winners. They're both winners. They want the best for us and the best for the club. I think we're showing that for them this season."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

With four teams separated by three points, the SWPL has "the best title race in Europe," according to managing director Fiona McIntyre.

Glasgow City and Hibernian are locked at the top, with Rangers two points back and reigning champions Celtic one further behind as the league enters its split for the final 10 games.

Speaking at an event at Hampden promoting the top-six split, which is completed by Hearts and Motherwell, McIntyre said contemporaries across Europe "are talking about the Scottish game".

"They ask us about the split in particular, because that is quite unique to Scotland," McIntyre said.

"Not many leagues do it, so we obviously have reaped the rewards of that. The run-in tends to be super competitive because the top teams are playing against each other.

"But people are talking about the SWPL. They're asking what we've done structurally in terms of our governance, but also in terms of our competition format.

"That's part of my role, to try and advocate for Scottish football and make sure that the rest of Europe and the world are talking about Scottish women's football.

"We're just delighted that we've got an incredible run-in to look forward to, and I think we've got the best title race in Europe, I really do.

"To have, after 22 games, four clubs within three points of each other, it's unprecedented, or certainly something that I can't recall in recent memory."

Hibs and Scotland striker Eilidh Adams joins Rachel Corsie and Leanne Crichton on the latest episode of the Behind the Goals podcast.

Adams discusses Hibs' "underdog mentality" in the title race as they prepare to face fellow leaders Glasgow City this weekend, plus achieving her Scotland "dream".

Listen and subscribe on BBC Sounds

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Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross: "I thought that we started that game really well, we had a lot of control in the first half and then really disappointed with the goal we pretty much gave to Hearts at the end of the first half that allowed them straight back into the game and I think that we took control of it in the second half, we were probably the better team.

"They've gone ahead but we showed great character to come back and get the equaliser and the game management, the experienced that we showed in the extra time period is what saw us through to get the victory that we needed.

"As a kid you always want to play at the national stadium, I actually never got to do it in my career in terms of being on the pitch, I was on the bench when we played there with Scotland so to be back there with the team and have the oppurtunity to get ourselves into a final, it's going to be a great occasion and you can see the girls are excited for that already.

"There's huge games to come with the split just around the corner so we need to focus on that first and then we can look forward to the draw to see who we get in that semi-final."

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Rangers manager Jo Potter: "It was difficult, we knew that they'd [Spartans] come and make it tough for us because our previous game against them, they sat off and frustrated us, so we expected it.

"It just took us a long time to get into the game, it's stuff that we spoke about pre-match that we need to move the ball quickly, we need to shift it side to side and don't get caught too high too early, taking too many touches where they can jump out and press.

"I thought there were huge improvements from last week in terms of quality in possession, we knew we'd have the lion's share of the ball so that helped us to get confidence a little bit earlier.

"But you can see when we're good, when it clicks and we do things that we do really well individually, that has a massive effect on the team and I've said that to the players, that they need to take a little bit of responsibility to be able to know what the game needs, what they do really well and bring it a little bit early, not wait until 60 or 70 minutes."

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Motherwell manager Paul Brownlie: "It's a big achievement for the group, I'm made up for them.

"I thought the level of discipline and quality showed in the game, a big performance and game.

"It's brilliant for the players, every single game they've been good, you can see the quality in the game.

"We came out at half time 3-0 up and managed the game well and even in the second half expected a reaction, the players managed it.

"Everything we asked of them this week, they implemented real quality and I'm made up for them.

"We made the players aware of the quality that Boroughmuir had and we knew they could be a real threat, it was a tough game.

"How we handled the whole occasion, that level of discipline and the mentality within the group was different class in such a big game."

Image source, SWPL

Celtic's Maria McAneny has been named SWPL Player of the Month for February.

The winger picks up the award for the first time after two impressive performances last month that helped Celtic pick up four out of a possible six points as they continue their title charge.

McAneny also won Goal of the Month for February thanks to her terrific left-footed strike in Celtic's 2-2 draw with league leaders Glasgow City and played a crucial part in the 8-0 win over Dundee United.

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Glasgow City saw off SWPL rivals Hearts in a thrilling Women's Scottish Cup clash.

Leanne Ross' side scored in extra-time to overcome the Edinburgh outfit 3-2 and land a place in the hat for the semi-final.

City scored first when Nicole Kozlova finished off a lovely team move to give the hosts the advantage after 25 minutes.

Bayley Hutchison prodded home in injury-time in the first half to level the tie at the break and scored a second after the interval to put Hearts in front.

Lisa Forrest made it all square with just 10 minutes to play to force the tie to extra-time.

Hearts were dealt a further blow in injury-time when Lizzie Waldie picked up a second yellow card and reduced Eva Olid's side to 10 players.

Kimberley Smit nudged home a City corner in the early stages of extra-time and Hearts were unable to respond.

City join Aberdeen, Rangers and Motherwell in Monday night's draw for the penultimate round of the competition.

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Rangers overcame a tricky Spartans side to continue their defence of the Scottish Cup in the semi-final.

The sides couldn't be separated at the break at Broadwood and it took second half substitute Camille Lafaix to get the hosts up and running.

Kirsty Howat doubled Rangers' lead with a stunning strike from the edge of the box.

Jo Potter's side held on until the whistle to set up another Scottish Cup semi-final tie, the draw for which will take place at half-time of Livingston v St Johnstone on Monday night.

Image source, Colin Poultney/SWPL

Aberdeen came from a goal behind to ease past second-tier St Johnstone for a place in the Women's Scottish Cup semi-final.

Scott Booth's side became the second team to put their name in the hat, after Motherwell, thanks to a 4-1 win over the SWPL 2 side.

Elvie McLean gave St Johnstone an early lead against the top flight outfit but they responded almost immediately when Holly McEvoy headed in from close range.

The Dons found their groove in the second half when Toni Leigh Finnegan scored two goals either side of Kerry Beattie's strike.

The draw for the semi-final will be made during half-time of Livingston v St Johnstone on Monday night.

Image source, Colin Poultney/SWPL

Motherwell eased past second-tier side Boroughmuir Thistle to book their spot in the Women's Scottish Cup semi-final.

Louisa Boyes got Paul Brownlie's side up and running 20 minutes into the first half at Meadowbank before Katie Rice scored directly from a corner to double 'Well's advantage.

Captain Gill Inglis got the third a minute later and the visitors headed into half time in control of the tie.

A goalless second half meant Motherwell have their name in the hat for the next round.

The draw for the semi-final will be made during half-time of Livingston v St Johnstone on Monday night.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

A trip to Hampden is on the line for the Women's Scottish Cup quarter-finalists on Sunday.

Here's what to look out for...

Can Boroughmuir Thistle sting high-flying Well?

Boroughmuir are one of only two SWPL2 sides in the final eight and the promotion hopefuls have nothing to lose, but plenty to gain, in the early kick-off.

With experienced heads such as Becky Galbraith and Louise Mason, who took to the Hampden turf with Spartans last season, they'll be far from spooked by top-six side Motherwell.

Paul Brownlie, who guided Well to Hampden for the first time two years ago, has worked his magic again this term, securing a first top-half finish in the top flight.

With a spread of Scotland youth internationals across the squad, plenty of them will be eyeing the first of hopefully many appearances at the national stadium.

Home comforts for St Johnstone?

The Scottish Cup draw has been kind to the Saints so far, with the visit of Aberdeen their third home tie in a row.

Things in SWPL2 haven't quite gone to plan this season, but they enjoyed a massive, morale-boosting win against leaders Hamilton Accies last weekend, so welcome the Dons in decent form.

But Scott Booth's side also travel with a good run under their belt and with high hopes of finishing top of the bottom half after the split.

The Dons take to the Pittodrie field again next Friday. How they'd love to ensure Hampden is their next big day out.

Holders Rangers to run riot?

Fleetingly do Rangers drop points. Even rarer do they do so outwith games against Celtic and Glasgow City. But that was the case last weekend in their 2-2 draw with Hearts.

Far from a disaster, but disappointing enough to fire Jo Potter's side even more as they look to keep their hands on the Scottish Cup they won for the first time last season.

Which is a daunting prospect for a Spartans side who have shipped nine goals to Rangers in two league meetings this campaign.

However, Jack Beesley's side have their own records to uphold, and making trips along the M8 to Hampden for two seasons in a row would be quite the feat for a side fighting for their top-flight status.

Former finalists to fight out tie of the round?

Rangers were not the only ones kicking themselves over last week's draw, as Hearts were looking good at 2-0 up before the break.

After a mammoth effort, much like their endeavours in last term's Scottish Cup defeat to Potter's side, they tired towards the end and Rangers' strength in depth carried them through.

Hearts have built on that this campaign, though, and have nicked a point off this weekend's opponents Glasgow City in the league already as well as knocking out Edinburgh rivals and joint league leaders Hibs in the last round.

Not only are City top of the SWPL tree, though, they have an abundance of experience in this competition, having won it a record nine times.

Leanne Ross was at the heart of a fair few of them - seven, to be exact - and the head coach will be desperate to get her hands on silverware again.

Having already seen off reigning league champions Celtic, City will fancy their chances of going all the way... the hard way.

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A "wonderful season" from Eilidh Adams is fuelling Hibernian's surprise SWPL title challenge.

The 20-year-old striker continued her fine form by netting the only goal of the game to down champions Celtic on Sunday and leave Hibs neck and neck with Glasgow City at the top of the table.

It took Adams' goal haul to 21 in 22 league appearances this term and completed a memorable couple of weeks in which she made her Scotland debut and then first international start in the Nations League double-header with Austria and Netherlands.

Among those impressed by the young forward's exploits is former Scotland midfielder Leanne Crichton, the current Glasgow City assistant.

"She's having a wonderful season, she's coming off the back of her national team debut as well, certainly contributing," said Crichton on the BBC's Behind the Goals podcast.

"This season is up there with the best she's ever had, certainly individually and collectively as a team, and things just keep getting better and better.

"I think to be the difference maker in that type of fixture [against Celtic] for her as well, it'll do her the world of confidence. She's having a wonderful season, she's a top player and she'll only get better as well.

"Hats off to her, it's been a busy schedule and I'm sure it's been an awful lot for her to take in, but she seems to be taking it all in her stride, that's the type of person that she is."

Scotland captain Rachel Corsie praised the 20-year-old for being able to "readjust" quickly to club duties.

"Good on her, it can be tough coming back from international break and then having to quickly readjust to the schedule, a club, the environment," said Corsie.

"I always find that transition after the international games quite stressful mentally.

"There's a lot to adjust to that just adds to it, so credit to her for having a big week and then being able to just roll right back into club form."

Leanne Crichton and Rachel Corsie discuss the SWPL title race on the Behind the Goals podcast.

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