Scottish Women's Football

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Defending SWPL champions Celtic have added Japanese midfielder Momo Nakao on deadline day.

The 22-year-old spent the past four four years in the United National Collegiate Athletic Association, playing for the University of Memphis.

In that time she never missed a match, scoring 15 goals and providing 15 assists in 79 appearances.

Nakao has represented her nation at youth level, playing at the U17 World Cup in 2018.

"She has great experience from Japan's youth national team and being captain for her college team," said head coach Elena Sadiku.

"The fans can expect a player that gives everything for her team-mates and the club. She's very professional and very talented. She has a great game vision and is very technical."

Robbie Boyle
BBC Scotland

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Elgin City Women are preparing to play in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup for the first time, just 18 months after the club was started.

The fifth-tier side are the lowest ranked club left in the competition, and face St Johnstone from the SWPL2 on Sunday, having beaten Championship side Dryburgh Athletic in the previous round.

Elgin City's Director Chris Foot says the tie in Perth is "huge" for the club.

"It's hard to say how big a game it is with Elgin being in the fifth tier of women's football, we know we are the massive underdogs.

"But we go down there with confidence. We already caused a giant killing against Dryburgh.

"Financially, it's not going to give us a lot but for us it is the pride in it.

"For the first time we are taking a coachload of fans down, we're hoping for about 150 fans to be there."

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Glasgow City boss Leanne Ross has backed Emily Whelan to "kick on even further" after the Republic and Ireland signed a new three-and-a-half year deal.

Whelan has made 89 appearances and scored 32 goals for City since arriving from Birmingham in summer 2022.

The 22-year-old helped the club win the SWPL title in her first season and is "very excited" to be staying.

"I have developed a lot both as a player and as a person and I'm keen to continue to do that at the best place for me," she added.

Ross hailed Whelan as a "fantastic person to have at the club" and said: "She has made a huge impact both with the goals that she has scored and the contributions she makes to her team-mates. A player who works hard day in, day out.

"We've got aspirations for her to kick on even further and I'm looking forward to working with her for the years to come.''

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"Aggressive" Danique Ypema "fits the profile" of a Hearts player, says Eva Olid after signing the centre-half from Feyenoord until the summer.

The former Dutch youth international joins the SWPL side having experienced Champions League football with Twente, where she played before spending three seasons with Feyenoord.

The 25-year-old has spent her entire career in the Netherlands, which head coach Olid added is "a great football upbringing".

"It's no secret that we're a little light on numbers in the backline, with a couple of long-term injuries, so firstly we're pleased to be able to strengthen in that area," Olid said.

"Danique fits our profile and the style we want to play. She's comfortable in possession, but is also aggressive in her defending, which I love. Having spent her entire career in Holland, she's had a great football upbringing.

"Her personality has shone through in the meetings we've had, and I have no doubt that she will be a good addition to our squad."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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With 14 games of the SWPL season to go, Hibs are in the running for their first title since 2007.

Grant Scott's side continued their excellent form with a 3-1 win at home to leaders Glasgow City on Sunday. The previous time they beat City? November 2007.

The Edinburgh club now sit third in the SWPL table, joint on points with Rangers and only two below City at the top.

Having gone 11 games without defeat, including nine wins, Hibs are on the longest unbeaten streak in the league.

What's more, they've taken four points off Rangers in their two meetings this term, as well as a point off Celtic in their only game so far.

It's looking rosy for Grant Scott's side, who finished fifth last term - eight points behind Hearts immediately above them and 36 off champions Celtic.

So, are Hibs really title contenders?

"They're definitely a team in the mix," Scotland captain Rachel Corsie said on the BBC's Behind the Goals podcast.

"Grant Scott and his team have done a good job. There's a confidence and a positive atmosphere that externally comes out of the club. It just feels a different energy."

Glasgow City assistant Leanne Crichton, who was in the dugout for Sunday's defeat, isn't surprised to see Hibs challenging at the top.

"They're a full-time team so they've got the resources, the facilities, the coaching staff," the former Scotland midfielder said.

"With the likes of Ciara Grant, Kirsten Reilly, [they have] an abundance of talent and good experience.

"They've got a really strong core of what you'd call a leadership group, Rachael Boyle is there and back to full fitness as well.

"For Hibs the balance looks way better. There's a lot of good things going on."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Noa Schumacher (Hibs): Made a vital stop shortly after half-time in Hibs' stunning win over Glasgow City. Hibs may have had a healthy 3-1 lead at that point, but if she hadn't kept the shot at bay, City could have rallied.

Georgia Gray (Partick Thistle): Playing out of position, but didn't look out of place in the victory over Dundee United. The midfielder was a presence defensively and seemed to enjoy playing out from the back, setting up one or two attacking threats.

Katie Rice (Motherwell): What an effort for Motherwell's second goal in the rout of Montrose, a brilliant 30-yard strike. Did well to adjust when Motherwell lost Chelsie Watson to a red card on 62 minutes.

Kelly Clark (Celtic): Controlled things at the back for Celtic. And when Hearts were more of a threat in the second half not only was she was switched on herself, but ensured the rest of the backline were too, constantly talking to them and pointing the way.

Ciara Grant (Hibs): What can I say about this player's delivery of a ball? A hat-trick of inch-perfect assists, helping her side to a brilliant win over leaders Glasgow City. A key player for Hibs.

Colette Cavanagh (Celtic): Was key in the middle of the park as she broke up play and set Celtic on attacks. Calm and quiet in her play, but ever so effective.

Emma Westin (Celtic): An impressive debut as she quickly found her feet to have a real impact on the game. Showed great skill and determination in playing a part in Celtic's third goal. Looks like an excellent addition.

Imogen Longcake (Partick Thistle): A brilliant assist for Thistle's opening goal and that helped set the tone for a much-needed win. The winger was among the goals too, with a solo run matched by a really composed finish.

Kathleen McGovern (Hibs): Two goals against the league leaders to help Hibs to an impressive win, what else is there to say? Two bullet headers showed her intent in front of goal. What a season she is having.

Hannah Stewart (Aberdeen): Impressive showing helped the Dons to a big win. Full of intent and on another day could have had more than the one goal she did score.

Katie Wilkinson (Rangers): Refused to give up amid a frustrating first half for Rangers and was duly rewarded with her second-half goals in the win at Spartans. Always in the right place at the time and her goals proved vital for Rangers' title aspirations.

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Celtic head coach Elena Sadiku: "Before the game we talked about showing up as a team and that's exactly what we did, especially in the first half.

"I think Hearts had a hard time knowing how to defend against us. Overall I'm very happy and pleased with what I saw.

"We all know what Celtic is about, we are not happy with the result against Rangers but we know what we want to do this season, we want to defend our title."

Hearts manager Eva Olid: "It's not a 4-0 game but the first half punished us, that made it a hard second half to the game.

"I think that conceding goals so soon affected us.

"The second half we started well, the fourth goal can happen, I don't understand the other three goals. Celtic totally deserved the win, we need to learn and I'm gonig to fight for this team until the end."

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Aberdeen manager Grant Scott: "I'm delighted to get three points, I think it's what the team deserved. We could have been a bit tidier in possession in the first half but it was nice to get the goal, I think it settled us.

"We've got a few new players, we've changed a few things and I think they deserved the three points because they've worked really hard at it."

Queen's Park manager Iain Robinson: "I thought we had moments where we kept the ball really well but ultimately I think we made too many mistakes in possession.

"We allowed Aberdeen too much of the ball in their half, too much time on the ball. They scored three good goals against us but I feel like we could have prevented them."

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Hibs manager Grant Scott: "The three points is really important for us, the fact it came against a top team like Glasgow City makes it even better.

"I think it just gives us another bit of belief that we can compete at the top end of the table.

"Competing is our aim, the players are doing that. We take it one game at a time. I believe this group is good enough to compete - how far I don't know. "

Glasgow City assistant manager Leanne Crichton: "For us it wasn't good enough.

"You cannot afford to start games in the manner that we did. Three set pieces in the first half have absolutely killed us.

"We created some really good chances but credit to Hibs.

"The traffic was only going one way in the second half so the frustration for us is we didn't get the second goal."

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Montrose manager Craig Feroz: "Motherwell are doing great and all credit to them. I don't have an issue with the result, it was well deserved.

"The preparation over the winter period so the girls are maybe lacking a bit of fitness but that's all down to me.

"Nobody expects us to stay up in this league but we'll keep fighting until the end."

Motherwell manager Paul Brownlie: "It was impressive.

"I'm really pleased with the players, I thought we were really dominant. To come here and control the game the way we did, I was delighted.

"We managed the game really well after the red card."

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Partick Thistle manager Brian Graham: "I'm delighted with the three points, I felt my team were really good.

"I thought we should have scored more goals but overall I'm pleased to get the three points.

"It was good to get back to winning ways, I'm disappointed with the late goal but we won't dwell too much on it."

Dundee United manager Suzy Shepherd: "Another disappointing day.

"We know Partick Thistle are a very good team, they're fighting to get into the top six.

"For large spells of the game we let ourselves down, we need to do the basics better and do things much quicker."

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Spartans manager Jack Beesley: "Rangers dominated possession, we tried to be organised and disciplined and I thought in the first half we restricted them.

"We showed some nice moments in terms of our own counter-attacking. The red card comes and momentum changes and it becomes very hard after that."

Rangers manager Jo Potter: "I thought it was below par, it was below the standards for our levels.

"I thought our subs lifted the tempo slightly but the main thing today was three points and a clean sheet and that's what we did.

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Midfielder Signe Carstens has left Celtic just seven months after joining from head coach Elena Sadiku's former club Fortuna Hjorring.

The 22-year-old signed a two-year deal back in June alongside her twin sister Mathilde Carstens.

Signe Carstens made nine appearances during her seven months at Celtic and scored one goal.

Her sister Mathilde remains a Celtic player.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Although Hibernian hosting Glasgow City is also a tasty encounter, we've gone for the weekend's postponed game - Celtic against Hearts.

Originally scheduled for Friday night, but delayed due to Storm Eowyn, Elena Sadiku's side now host Hearts on Sunday night in a game that will be broadcast live on the BBC Sport website and iPlayer (19:45 GMT).

Celtic will be out for revenge after the last game, a 1-0 loss at the Oriam, in which Hearts inflicted Celtic's first loss of the campaign.

That game also proved to be historic as it was the first time Hearts had ever beaten Celtic, thanks to Kayla Jardine's deflected first-half strike.

Not many would have predicted that three months on, the sides would sit level on points in the SWPL table - albeit Celtic have a game in hand.

A win would boost Celtic up to 44 points but at time of writing, they trail league leaders Glasgow City by six points.

They'll have to try and do so without Caitlin Hayes, as the talismanic centre-half tearfully departed to Brighton through the week.

The pink-headbanded Ireland international was an iconic figure at the club and it was no coincidence that the club's first SWPL title came during her time there.

However with Hayes' departure imminent, Sadiku has changed up formations in recent weeks, switching to four at the back in preparation at losing one of her defenders.

That might force Hearts into a change of shape themselves, if they want to match Celtic up. Eva Olid has been rigid in her three at the back formation so far.

Another win for Hearts would see them solidify their credentials as title-chasers, while any hopes Celtic have of retaining their title would be severely damaged by a third loss of the season.

The game also may see a return for Abi Harrison, the Scotland striker who has come back to Scotland after years playing down south. She has joined Sadiku's side from Bristol City until the end of the season and adds to Celtic's potent attack.

How to follow the action on BBC

Celtic v Hearts and will be shown on the BBC Sport website and iPlayer, with the match kicking off at 19:45 GMT.

There will be live text coverage of all six Sunday games from 13:00 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.

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The SWPL Cup final between Hibs and Rangers will be played at Fir Park on Saturday, 22 March with a 15:00 GMT kick-off.

Holders Rangers are aiming to win the trophy for the third successive year while Hibs' last triumph in the competition came in 2019.

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Celtic v Hearts in the SWPL has been rearranged for Sunday, 26 January and will be shown on the BBC Sport website and iPlayer.

The match kicks off at 19:45 GMT.

Originally scheduled for Friday, the game was postponed on account of the red weather warning in place across Scotland.

Reigning champions Celtic are below fourth-placed Hearts on goal difference but Elena Sadiku's side have a game in hand.

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Scotland striker Abi Harrison has returned to Celtic on a deal until the end of the season after leaving Bristol City.

The Celtic academy graduate made her debut for the club at age 14 in 2011, becoming the youngest player ever in the SWPL.

Harrison joined Hibs in 2015, winning the 2016 Scottish Cup and three SWPL Cups in a four-year spell, then moved to Bristol City where she went on to become the club's record scorer with 40 goals in 128 appearances.

"I'm absolutely delighted to be back at Celtic and can't wait to get going again," Harrison said.

"It is a bit of a full circle fairytale for me. I made no illusions when I left the club as a 17-year-old that it was my dream to play for them again one day.

"As soon as I signed for Bristol, I said the only club that I would leave Bristol for was Celtic."

Head coach Elena Sadiku added: "We're very excited to bring Abi into our squad. She has great experience in both the Women's Super League and the Championship."

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The SWPL game between Celtic and Hearts on Friday night has been postponed because of the red weather warning in place across Scotland.

Elena Sadiku's side were due to host Hearts at New Douglas Park at 19:30 GMT.

The SWPL say details of the rearranged fixture will be confirmed in due course.

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Caitlin Hayes says playing for Celtic was "one of the greatest honours of my life" after sealing a move from the SWPL champions to Brighton.

The Republic of Ireland defender departs having made 153 Celtic appearances and won one league title and four domestic cups in her four-and-a-half-year spell.

"It has been nothing short of one of the greatest honours of my life to wear the green and white," said 29-year-old Hayes.

"My nine-year-old self would never have believed that her wildest dreams would become her reality. But I guess, after all, I was just a girl with a dream and a fan that got lucky.

"I wish nothing but success for everyone involved with Celtic. Once a Celt, always a Celt."

Head-coach Elena Sadiku praised Hayes' contribution, saying: "I want to thank Caitlin for everything she has done for the club,.

"Especially since I have come to Glasgow, she has been very important for the team on the pitch. She has been a great character."

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Hearts have signed Galway United midfielder Jenna Slattery on a deal until summer 2026.

Slattery, 20, was top scorer in the League of Ireland last season with 10 goals and has been capped 11 times for Republic of Ireland at Under-19 level.

Although currently sidelined with injury, the midfielder joins Eva Olid's side on an initial 18-month deal that includes the option for a 12-month extension.

"The proper feeling hasn't really sunk in yet," Slattery said.

"I've finally made this big move that I've always dreamt of as a young girl. To be here right now it's a pretty surreal moment."

Manager Olid added: "We're delighted to welcome a player of Jenna's quality to the club so early in the window.

"This was a position that we were keen to strengthen after what's been a positive start to the season."