Scottish Women's Football

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Celtic boss Elena Sadiku: "Everyday it feels like we're getting closer to looking how we want to look.

"We were totally in control, we created a lot of chances and scored a lot of goals. We looked like a really good football team.

"No matter who I'm going to bring onto the pitch I know they're going to make a difference.

Dundee United manager Suzy Shepherd: "It was an extremely hard day.

"We were well aware of how challenging a day it was going to be, coming to Celtic Park we knew they'd be dominant.

"It might not feel like it now but there are positives to take and it's about going away, reflecting and making sure we're prepared for the next game."

Spartans manager Jack Beesley: "It was disappointing.

"I could have made a list of all the things that went wrong, goalkeeper getting injured, red card.

"I thought the first 20 minutes was quite even but we conceded two self-inflicted goals.

"I think we could've been a bit more resolute to not have conceded as many as we did but I said to the players they need to write it off and start again tomorrow."

Motherwell manager Paul Brownlie: "It was a magnificent start for us and I thought the team were excellent.

"I didn't think we started as well as we would have liked but after that we had real control of the game and to score five goals on the opening day was brilliant for the players.

"It's one game at a time. We did something we haven't been able to do since I've been in charge which is win our first game of the season. It's a great start for us but we're taking it one game at a time."

Image source, SWPL

It was goals galore in the return of the SWPL this weekend.

Reigning champions Celtic put nine past Dundee United, City scored seven against Montrose, Hearts hit double digits against Queen's Park, as did Rangers against Aberdeen.

But what did you make of your team's performance? What are your hopes for this season?

Give us your thoughts here, external.

Watch the goals as SWPL champions Celtic open their campaign with a 9-0 defeat of Dundee United.

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Elena Sadiku has given Celtic a European wake-up call as they prepare to begin their SWPL title defence.

The champions kick off the new domestic campaign against Dundee United at Ce;ltic Park on Sunday - live on the BBC Sport website and app - and have a Champions League qualifier with Finnish side KuPS looming next month.

To prepare for the upcoming challenge, Celtic spent the last week of pre-season in Sadiku's native Sweden beating Djurgaden 2-1 then losing 3-0 to champions Hammarby.

"I think the biggest thing I take with me is that what we do domestically is one thing but there are also other teams out in Europe that are strong," Sadiku said.

"That's something I wanted the girls to experience - that we're the best in Scotland but there are other teams in Europe doing really well. I think that's the best thing I could give the girls.

"Just because we're champions and the best in Scotland doesn't mean we're the best in Europe. That's something I feel like we need to be reminded of.

"We don't just have domestic football to think about, we also want to challenge out in Europe."

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Striker Amy Sharkey has joined Motherwell on a season-long loan from Celtic.

The forward, 16, made her senior Celtic debut at just 15 years old and netted her first goal in their 9-0 win over Dundee United last season.

"I'm delighted to have joined Motherwell," the 16-year-old told club media.

"I want to experience regular first-team football and the club have a proven track record of developing young players and providing the platform to gain experience and progress both as a player and a person."

Centre-back Laura Steedman has ended her five-year St Johnstone stint to join Dundee United in a player-coach role.

"Towards the end of last season, being involved in other aspects of the game was appealing and becoming more of a natural progression," Steedman told club media.

"I think this is an excellent opportunity to still be active and available to play, while starting to progress and develop other footballing areas behind the scenes such as analysis and coaching."

Manager Suzy Shepherd says Steedeman is "the kind of character we need".

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Champions Celtic unfurl the title flag before their SWPL opener against Dundee United at Parkhead on Saturday.

The match (13:00 BST kick-off) will be streamed live on the BBC Sport website, app and iPlayer.

Rangers' trip to Balmoral to face Aberdeen on Sunday is live on BBC Alba and the BBC Sport website and app on Sunday, with a 16:10 start.

And we'll keep you across all the opening weekend action, with live text coverage of all six matches on the BBC Sport website and app.

Then, on Monday night at 19:00, you can watch all the weekend goals on SWPL Sportscene on BBC Scotland.

Aberdeen have signed former Liverpool midfielder Holly McEvoy on a two-year deal and added defender Gracie Robertson on loan from Hearts.

England youth international McEvoy, 19, began her career with Everton before making the switch across Merseyside.

"Holly is a technically gifted player and a real force in the midfield," manager Colin Bell said of his new arrival.

"We look forward to working with Holly to assist her continued development and give her a platform to build on the promising start to her career."

Centre-back Robertson, 16, has 18 caps at youth level and Bell added: "Grace is an exciting young talent who will bring some real speed to our team."

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Hearts manager Eva Olid is hoping her side have learned not to underestimate newly-promoted teams as they prepare to get their SWPL campaign under way at Queen's Park on Sunday.

Last season, Hearts dropped points against Montrose in their first meeting with the top-flight newcomers.

"Every week we need to perform with the same motivation and intensity, because we have that experience of Montrose last season," Olid told club media, external.

"They were the new team in the league and they were competing so well.

"We dropped points against them early in the season and that was a big learning experience for us.

"We cannot relax for a second. Everybody can compete, you can drop points against anybody and win points against everybody."

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Glasgow City shouldn't be written off in this year's SWPL title race, says former Scotland goalkeeper Gemma Fay.

City - who had won the title in 14 of the previous 15 seasons - finished third last term and failed to reach either of the two domestic cup finals.

But Fay says it's "stupid" to think Celtic and Rangers will run away from Leanne Ross' side at the top of the table.

"Everybody always discounts Glasgow City and says this is the year that they'll not keep in touch with Rangers and Celtic," she told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"What we know is it's always stupid to discount them and they've certainly gone out and recruited.

"You would suggest that Celtic are in position where they have to defend a title in the women's game. They've never had to do that before. That comes with its own pressures.

"Rangers will be hurting and we've already heard Jane Ross say this week that you know they have refocused and we know what they want.

"They've also got a big European tie coming up Arsenal so that will be really interesting."

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Aberdeen have signed Republic of Ireland striker Emily Kraft on a season-long loan from Southampton.

The German-born 22-year-old began her career with Eintracht Frankfurt before moving to English side Lewes in 2022.

Kraft joined Southampton last summer and went on to make 14 appearances, scoring once.

Having represented Germany at youth levels, Kraft switched allegiance to Republic of Ireland and won her first caps under current Dons boss Colin Bell in 2019.

"Emily is a player I know well having worked with her previously and I believe her experience will be of real benefit to the squad," Bell told Aberdeen's website.

"I look forward to helping her to fulfil her potential here at Aberdeen."

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Amy Gallacher is eyeing another day of celebration when Celtic kick off their title defence this weekend at the scene of last season's dramatic triumph.

The midfielder clinched the club's first league title with an injury-time winner against Hibs in the final game of the season at Celtic Park.

Elena Sadiku's side get the new campaign under way against Dundee United on Saturday, live on the BBC Sport Scotland website and iPlayer.

"That's pre-season over now, we're starting the good stuff on Saturday," Gallacher told CelticTV, external.

"Hopefully we get a good few fans there and we can celebrate.

"It'll be weird being back out there after what happened last season, but we've had good experiences there and hopefully another one on Saturday."

Partick Thistle striker Cara Henderson is determined to up her scoring rate in the new SWPL campaign after losing a goals bet with manager Brian Graham last term.

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Abbie Cusack admits the league opener against champions Celtic at Parkhead will be a huge test for Dundee United.

Suzy Shepherd's side finished second bottom of the SWPL last term but defeated Kilmarnock in the play-off to keep their place in the top flight.

With three teams automatically going down in the new campaign, United begin their quest for survival with a trip to Celtic Park on Saturday.

Defender Cusack, who joined United permanently this summer after spending last season on loan from Celtic, said: "Everyone is excited for it.

"Up against Celtic at Celtic Park is going to be a really tough game but that’s the ones we like to play in.

"Pre-season has gone well for us so far. We’re just looking forward to the season now.

"With three teams going down it’s going to be very tough but we’re excited to battle to stay up again and hopefully we can."

Jane Ross insists Rangers' title agony will fuel their bid for a domestic treble in the new campaign.

Jo Potter's side lifted the SWPL Cup and Scottish Cup last term but missed out on the league title on goal difference to Celtic despite leading the way for much of the campaign.

"Our goal at the start of the season is always to go and win the treble," said 34-year-old striker Ross.

"When you play for a club like Rangers there’s expectation there to go and win trophies.

"We’re obviously happy we managed to win both cups last season and it was disappointing the way we lost the league, but it’s going to be motivation for the year ahead.

"Our focus will be on our performances and winning the games that we need to win first and foremost.

"It did come down to goal difference [last year], so that will be something we have in mind and hopefully we can learn from."