Scottish Women's Football

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Kelsey Daugherty (Celtic): The Celtic goalkeeper made a couple of vital stops especially as Glasgow City piled on the pressure as the match wore on. Played her part in a three big points for Elena Sadiku's side.

Caitlin Hayes (Celtic): An injury time clearance off the line typified her solid defending. As well as that interception, she cleared numerous threats from corners, and was a typical threat offensively.

Chloe Craig (Celtic): The defender kept her cool to score from the spot, as she so often does, earning three huge points for the reigning champions.

Leah Eddie (Rangers): Looks very comfortable playing for Rangers since her move in the summer from Hibs. Had a lot of joy going forward and setting up potential attacks.

Jade McLaren (Montrose): Not part of a winning team this weekend, but her two assists showed great determination to try and get her team back into the match against Motherwell.

Chelsea Cornet (Rangers): Took her goal - Rangers' third - really well to give Jo Potter's side a commanding lead against Partick Thistle. The half-volley was lovely on the eye. The midfelder is building upon her achievements of last season.

Lauren Wade (Hearts): A goal and an assist in a comfortable win for Hearts, she showed every inch of her experience while she was on the park.

Sade Adamolekun (Hearts): Scored a double and was instrumental in another for Eva Olid's side, with an assist. Picked up for last week, adding to her goal tally.

Tegan Bowie (Hibs): Another player who’s started the season well and looks full of confidence. Two goals for her in an impressive win against Aberdeen.

Katie Wilkinson (Rangers): Looks to be enjoying her move to Scotland, doesn't she? After four goals in the opening weekend, she bagged a hat-trick this weekend against Thistle. Her manager has described her as 'special', so far she’s living up to that tag.

Kathleen McGovern (Hibs): Scored her first goal for Hibs from the spot in the big weekend win and then was in a good position to get her second of the afternoon, all while setting one up too.

SWPL fans, what did you make of this weekend's action?

How important do you think Celtic's victory over Glasgow City could prove to be? What about in the relegation battle, who do you think could be going down?

Give us your thoughts here, external.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

This weekend could give us our first clue in where the SWPL title will be heading at the end of the season.

Early days, I know, but the clashes between last season's top three could be decisive come May.

Champions Celtic host Glasgow City on Sunday after both sides opened in commanding style. Celtic thrashed Dundee United 9-0 on flag day at Parkhead while City were 7-0 winners at Montrose.

Where could the difference be made?

The new signings from both clubs are looking sharp.

Winger Sofia Maata had a mightily impressive debut as she scored three of City's goals in her first competitive start for Leanne Ross' side.

Defender Sam van Diemen and attacker Nicole Kozlova were also on the scoresheet, the latter finding the back of the net twice.

Celtic debutants also made an immediate impact. Defender Bruna Lourenco grabbed a goal and an assist, Signe Carstens bagged a goal and new striker Saoirse Noonan hit two.

It wasn't only the new faces who stepped up for Elena Sadiku's side though. Academy graduate Maria McAneny netted a double off the bench while last season's hero Amy Gallacher also got on the scoresheet.

What can previous results tell us?

If recent history is anything to go by, expect a tight contest.

The last meeting between these sides in May was a 2-2 draw. The previous outing saw Celtic narrowly emerge victorious in a 2-1 win and the game before that City took all three points.

In the 2022-23 campaign, Celtic were winners in four of the six meetings. But that was a very different looking Celtic side, and a very different City who went on to claim the league title regardless.

This time round, will Celtic make an early statement of intent in their title defence, or can City upset the champions? Either way, an exciting encounter awaits.

How to follow the weekend action on BBC

You can watch two live SWPL games on the BBC on Sunday.

First up is Rangers v Partick Thistle (14:00 BST), which will be streamed live on the BBC Sport website and app and iPlayer.

Then Celtic v City takes top billing. The game, which kicks off at 16:10, is live on BBC Alba and the BBC Sport website and app and iPlayer.

There will also be live text coverage all five Sunday games from 12:50 on the BBC Sport website and app.

And on Monday night, watch all the goals and best of the weekend SWPL action on Sportscene at 19:00 on BBC Scotland.

Image source, SNS

Grant Scott says Hibs must be wary of a reaction from Aberdeen following their 11-0 opening-day drubbing to Rangers.

Hibs, who began the season by edging out Partick Thistle last weekend, host the Dons on Sunday.

"I think we’ve got to guard against that," Scott said.

"We can’t expect no reaction, we’d be doing them a real disservice if we thought that.

"We all know how much of a quality side Rangers are, they’re capable of doing that to many teams so it’s a totally different game for us.

"We just have to take it as it comes and expect a reaction."

Image source, SNS

Elena Sadik is urging Celtic to "tell their own story" as they prepare to face Glasgow City on Sunday.

The Swedish head coach guided her side to their first SWPL title last season and wants to create more history with the club.

"I respect their [Glasgow City's] history and the team that they have been in this league because they've put themselves on the map when it comes to Scottish football," Sadiku said.

"For me, it's about us telling our own story now, playing the way we want to play no matter who the opponent.

"I hope we can play the way we want to play but also respect that Glasgow City is Glasgow City."

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen have bolstered their squad with the signings of winger Miriam MacLean and defender Lois Edwards.

Edwards, 22, initially joined the Dons from Watford on a short-term deal in January, but injury struggles meant she made just 11 appearances last season.

The English defender has now committed to another season in the north east.

Ahead of the game with Hibs this Sunday, the 22-year-old told club media:, external "At the end of the season I forced myself to take a week off and after that I did a lot to make sure I came back in good shape so I don’t pick up any more injuries.

"I think it has made a big difference so far. I feel the fittest I have ever felt, my body feels really good. I’m recovering well from the intense sessions and it means now I can focus on football."

MacLean makes the switch to Aberdeen from fellow SWPL side Glasgow City.

The Nairn native spent time down south with Leicester City before returning to Scotland where she's been part of City's youth set-up for the last two years.

"I am absolutely buzzing to sign for Aberdeen," MacLean said.

Image source, SNS

Rangers have signed midfielder Camille Lafaix from French top-flight side Bordeaux.

The 23-year-old American joins Jo Potter's side on a one-year deal and becomes the fifth summer arrival at Ibrox.

"I am extremely excited to be here and to start my journey with Rangers," Lafaix said.

"When I think of Scottish football, I think about Rangers, so obviously every time I ask for some feedback from some of my old team-mates or my parents they were all extremely delighted to hear it was Rangers that was interested."

Head coach Potter says Lafaix adds "further creativity" to the team and will "provide something different in the attacking third".

Potter added: "Playing at a high level last season will only help her growth as a player and we hope to see her develop further in a Rangers jersey."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Getty Images

Stacey Papadopoulos is hoping Hibs can break into the SWPL top three this season.

The 27-year-old joined Grant Scott's side from Australian outfit Western United this summer and made her first start in Sunday's 2-1 season-opening win over Partick Thistle.

The Aussie defender is hoping for more wins with the Edinburgh outfit in an effort to challenge defending champions Celtic, Rangers and Glasgow City for those top three spots.

Hibs, who were fifth last season, haven't made the top three since coming second in 2019.

"I'm a competitor and I think we've got a dressing room full of girls that are very competitive and want to do well this year," Papadopoulos said.

"Not just for themselves but for the team. We want to succeed as much as we can this season.

"Top three is definitely on my mind and is something I want to strive for.

"I want to push the limits as much as we can, be as competitive as possible so that when it comes to playing the bigger teams in the split we can keep up, give them a fight and cause some upsets as well."

Image source, Malcolm Mackenzie

Losing your opening game of the season 11-1 is the stuff of nightmares for any newly-promoted side.

But Queen’s Park head coach Craig Joyce was able to pick out some positives from his side’s SWPL drubbing by Hearts.

His side romped to the SWPL2 title last term, but faced a hungry and "different" Hearts team on Sunday.

Speaking to the BBC’s Behind The Goals podcast, Joyce said: "There's no point in being doom and gloom about it and there’s no point making any excuses, it’s just a steep, steep learning curve for a young team.

"There’s a lot of things we did well in the game, and we want to do them better. But the things we didn’t do well, we want to do them even better.

"A lot of people look at it and say, 'you got beat 11-1, how did you do anything well?' Well, in the first half it was 4-1 and at one point it was 2-1. It could have been 2-2 then could have gone 3-2, then could have gone 3-3, so it’s fine margins.

"Our team need to get used to if you don’t take your chances, you’ll get punished for it. And if you leave the back door open, the other team are going to certainly take their chances and they did that."

We asked for your views on the opening weekend of the SWPL.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Marti: Massive gap as usual between Rangers, Celtic, Glasgow City and the rest. Hearts apart, there's never going to be any true challenge.

Richard: Fantastic performance from Hearts. All of the new signings were excellent. The energy and communication were clearly shown time and again as they pressed and pressed. Great goals from a number of new recruits and great to see Georgia Timms getting a late couple, but poor Jackie Richards denied a hat-trick by the post - bad luck!

Anon: Not really sure how teams are supposed to progress given the hugely one-sided nature of most games.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Noa Schumacher (Hibs): A solid performance between the sticks on her debut, made a crucial save to deny Thistle at late equaliser.

Emma Lawton (Partick Thistle): Once again Lawton was solid at the back for Thistle and got herself on the scoresheet.

Carly Girasoli (Hearts): Another impressive defensive display from Girasoli as Hearts put 11 past Queen's Park, she bagged two assists as well.

Lucy Ashworth-Clifford (Celtic): Ashworth-Clifford opened the scoring for Celtic and grabbed an assist in their 9-0 victory over Dundee United.

Sade Adamolekun (Hearts): Adamolekun looked dangerous all afternoon, bagging two goals for Eva Olid's side.

Signe Carstens (Celtic): Another impressive debutant, the 22-year-old assisted Ashworth-Clifford's opener and got on the scoresheet herself.

Lizzie Arnot (Rangers): A standout performance from the Rangers winger, not only did she bag two goals of her own but she also set up another four in a huge opening day victory for Jo Potter's side.

Rachel Todd (Motherwell): Bagging her first, and second, goal in claret and amber, Todd was composed to slot home a penalty and find the back of the net from open play.

Sofia Maata (Glasgow City): A second half hat-trick on her Glasgow City debut, Maata looks like a real force to be reckoned with in attack.

Katie Wilkinson (Rangers): Maata's hat-trick was bettered only by Wilkinson's display on Sunday. She found the back of the net four times in Rangers' 11-0 victory.

Saoirse Noonan (Celtic): The Republic of Ireland international got herself on the scoresheet twice as she made her competitive debut for Celtic.

Image source, SNS

Rangers manager Jo Potter: "You've got to be positive after winning 11-0.

"There were things that we were looking to do a little bit better last year and I thought we were resolute at the back whereas last year that score might've been 11-1.

"You're there to be shot at and you have to come up with something new.

"We've got a really creative group and I've asked them to bring a little bit more this year.

"I think you'll see more of that in the weeks to come."

Image source, SWPL

Queen's Park boss Craig Joyce: "There's some positives to take from the game.

"We need to be realistic. We know we're up against full time teams that are motoring ahead.

"The game isn't going to define us, yes it was a moment in our history, not great result-wise but I thought we were really good in the first half.

"In the second half it wasn't the same team that came out and we need to take a look at that and plan moving forward."

Hearts manager Eva Olid: "I'm happy with the goals, everybody performed well.

"Everyone who came in in the second half kept the high standards and scored goals. That is what we want, a competitive squad not just a starting XI.

"This is the first game, we have to go every week and see where we can get to. We need to be constant to win something this season."

Montrose manager Craig Feroz: "I thought the first half we gave a good account of ourselves.

"We tried to play the ugly way to get something out the game and I thought we did that in the first half. In the second half I think fitness and early season was showing.

"We're up against it as we always are but I believe in my girls. We showed last season we'll fight until the end and we'll do that again."

Glasgow City boss Leanne Ross: "It was nice to get back on the grass and get the three points to start the new season.

"We're very happy with our recruitment over the summer. Everybody we've brought in has settled in really well and the ones that have broken into the starting XI have strengthened us.

"Hopefully we can put in a good challenge for the league title this season."

Image source, SNS