Scottish Women's Football

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Scotland ended their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign unbeaten after a 1-0 win over Serbia secured promotion to the top tier of the Nations League.

Both sides had already booked their places in the play-offs for next summer’s tournament in Switzerland, but the top spot and undefeated tag was up for grabs.

Kirsty Hanson’s close-range finish at Firhill ensured it was Pedro Martinez Losa’s side who win Group B2 and will be seeded in Friday's Euro play-off draw.

Read the full report

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Reaching 50 caps for Scotland is one of Kirsty Smith’s biggest achievements in football, the 30-year-old has revealed.

West Ham defender Smith could win cap number 55 should she feature on Tuesday against Serbia, the team she reached the half century of international appearances against in April.

The former Hibernian and Manchester United defender made her Scotland debut back in October 2014.

"It was a really big achievement for me personally,” she said. "It’s taken me a while.

"It’s something that growing up you would never have thought would happen, so to actually reach 50 was probably one of my biggest achievements, and I am very proud of that."

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Pedro Martinez Losa says the decision to play Scotland’s final Group B2 game with Serbia at Firhill will help the team “connect with the fans”.

Scotland have played all their recent home qualifiers at the 52,000 capacity Hampden Park, though the crowd was just 3,127 against Slovakia in April while June’s win over Israel was played behind closed doors.

The Spaniard hopes Firhill’s smaller capacity can help harness a better atmosphere as his side bid to stay top of the group.

“That was one of the reasons for moving away from Hampden, was to connect with the community, to give all the Scotland fans an opportunity to connect with the team,” he said.

“So I think we’re going to have that part on our side tomorrow and give us the last push, especially in July when the energy levels are not that big.

“I think the behaviour of the players the other day in terms of mental resilience and commitment was very big, and it will be the same tomorrow.

“You want to feel the energy of the fans and when it’s a smaller stadium it’s more full, then you can feel that. We don’t say enough how important that support is for us.

"We have all seen moments in the men’s Euros where everything is decided in key moments when the players are at the limit. And in that one minute, one substitution can make an impact, that one player can make an impact, but also the fans can make an impact.

“Hopefully we can inspire everybody to follow us, not just in a major tournament but in the future games.”

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Defender Abbie Cusack and midfielder Summer Christie have become the first Dundee United players to sign part-time pro contracts.

Cusack, 20, spent last season on loan with United and Christie, 20, is entering her third season with the club.

Manager Suzy Shepherd said: "Delighted for Abbie and Summer to be the first ever women to sign a professional part-time contract with Dundee United.

"The club has a vision for their women’s team and this is another step in the right direction."

Head of football operations Ross Starke added: "Following confirmation of our status as an SWPL1 side for the coming season, it was important that, with the backing of the chairman, board and executive leadership of the club, we continue to progress the women's team in line with the growth of the game in Scotland."

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Scotland defender Leah Eddie has "overcome the nerves" of joining Rangers and is excited for the competitive action to get started.

The 23-year-old rejoined Jo Potter's side from Hibs earlier this summer after a brief spell with the Glasgow outfit back in 2018.

"Things are a bit different from where I have been previously but in a good way," the 23-year-old told club media, external.

"I have really enjoyed it and I am looking forward to preparing for games in the future.

"I think going to a different team is always going to be completely different from where you are before.

"There was probably a bit of nerves and excitement in there as well but it has been good to just get on the pitch and get rid of those nerves as soon as possible and prepare for the games."

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Glasgow City have signed Finland youth international Sofia Määttä on a permanent basis.

The 19-year-old signed a pre-contract back in January committing to City for the next three years.

The forward joins fellow Finn Wilma Forsblom at Petershill.

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Striker Kit Loferski and defender Hana Kerner have committed their future to Celtic.

Loferski has penned a two-year extension running until 2026 while Kerner signed on until 2025.

Full-back Kerner suffered an injury shortly after her arrival in Glasgow and has been on the sidelines for over a year.

But the American has joined up with the squad for pre-season preparations as she continues to work up to full fitness.

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Assistant coach Gavin Beith has left Hearts to pursue an opportunity abroad.

Beith joined the Edinburgh outfit in January last year and was a part of the coaching staff as they secured their highest ever points total this season.

“I’ve had such a great time working alongside Gav," manager Eva Olid told club media., external

"With the experience and knowledge that he has in Scottish football, he’s been so important for me to have around as I continue to pick up things on the Scottish game.

"He will be a big miss for us, but he leaves to take up a really good opportunity and we wish him all the best."

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Kirsty Howat was "over the moon" to make her long-awaited Scotland debut on Friday night.

The 27-year-old has made numerous appearances for the Scots at youth level but her substitute appearance in the 2-0 win over Slovakia was her first for the senior side.

"I'm over the moon," the forward said.

"I've dreamt of that moment since I was a wee girl so for it to finally happen, I'm absolutely delighted.

"I will remember this day for a long time, I'm lost for words a little bit. I'm absolutely buzzing."

It was a tough night for Pedro Martinez Losa's side who had to contend with a 40-minute delay after a storm hit the Nitra Stadium in the second half.

"It was pretty extreme, we couldn't even see the girls on the pitch," Howat added.

"We stayed professional, kept warm and got a good warm-up in and got the job done in the end.

"We didn't really know much about what was going on but we just kept warm as if the game was going to happen again.

"It was all we really could do. It didn't really phase us, we were just expecting to come back out and play."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Stadion pod Zoborom

Image source, Scottish FA

It wasn’t the goal-fest show Scotland put on against Israel in the recent double-header, but Scotland continued to show their strength against this level of opposition in Group B2.

On another night, similarly to the reverse game at Hampden, the Scots could have buried more, but given they were stunned by the sun in the first half, then shuddering after the storm in the second, this was no normal game of football.

But it’s another challenge this side has overcome. They remained calm and committed to their game plan, using their width and looking to serve Thomas.

It was a quieter night for the Scotland number 20 given her recent high standards, but she still proved a nuisance. As did her replacement, Kirsty Howat, on her long-awaited international debut.

This campaign was all about reconnecting with winning, something Scotland didn’t taste during their Nations League campaign.

Should they finish top of this group, they’ll return to League A, so gathering momentum is crucial, even at this crazy stage of the season.

Some players had a few days of pre-season at their clubs before joining up with squad, while others won't have a sniff of competitive football again until the end of September.

When their fitness and mentality was put to the test, they came out with flying colours - as they have done so at nearly every time of asking in this campaign.

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Scotland manager Pedro Martinez Losa

"It was a proper team performance.

"From the staff for the preparation, the challenges coming here in July for the players and the responsibility from them to make sure they'd done the proper preparation and also working together.

"On the pitch, I was really proud of the way we performed, it was a good result. Not conceding goals was key for us, we're top of the group and we created a lot of chances. You have to be happy with winning a competitive game and the girls playing good football.

"This team has mental robustness to face the challenges on and off the pitch and also the mental resilience to face the challenges that happen from time to time.

"That is what we have been wanting to build, not making excuses, putting in the performance here and against Israel. Now we go onto Serbia."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Nitra, Slovakia

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"I'm excited for what's to come, you need to watch out for her."

Kirsty Hanson is not the only one to be impressed by Mia McAulay.

After her breakthrough season with Rangers, the 17-year-old earned her first call-up to the national team earlier this week and could make her debut tonight in Nitra.

With goals in domestic cup finals and Old Firm derbies, the youngster has never shied on the big occasion, and while Hanson hasn’t come up against her, given she plays down south in the WSL with Aston Villa, she has already seen why everyone has a buzz about McAulay.

“I’ve obviously heard of her from Rangers, there are a few exciting wingers and players coming in but she’s came in and fitted right in perfectly,” Hanson told BBC Scotland. “I knew she would, we’re a really tight-knit group so we welcomed her straight away and I think she feels comfortable – well I hope she does!”

A fellow winger, Hanson welcomes her introduction and competition and has relished the opportunity to be a bit of a support network in McAulay’s maiden days in camp, knowing herself how daunting that can be.

“I like to encourage young players because I’ve been there and struggled as a young player especially when you’re around big and experienced players, so I’ve just encouraged her when she’s done something well, I’m like ‘oh well done’,” she added.

“I like competition as well, I want her to push me and I want to push her and I want her to get her debut hopefully very soon, because what she’s been doing in training is really, really good.

“She’ll be a really exciting prospect to come and I want to help her because she can score the goals, provide that excitement for the fans and I just want to help her. I’m excited for what’s to come, you need to watch out for her.”

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Glasgow City have signed Polish international midfielder Natalia Wrobel on a three-year deal.

The number 10 joins City from Danish side Brondby.

Wrobel made her senior international debut back in 2021 and since then has been capped 19 times for Poland, scoring twice in those outings.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Nitra, Slovakia

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"When you get Martha in that good place, she's unstoppable."

Given Martha Thomas has eight goals in her last four games, team-mate Kirsty Hanson can say that again.

Along with Claire Emslie, the Scotland front three have been firing on all cylinders, with seven goals among them in the last two games.

But Thomas' record didn't make such kind reading just a matter of games ago. At the turn of the calendar year, the Spurs striker's international stats read as 11 goals in 32 games.

But her move to the London club from Manchester United at the start of last season has brought her "happiness" back, according to Hanson.

“They’re obviously in good form, Claire is smashing it out in the NWSL, Martha is scoring loads for Spurs and I think they both believe in me and I believe in them," Hanson told BBC Scotland.

"If I put the good crosses in for them, they’ll score and I just need to make sure I do the same for them.

"It’s just nice, we work well off one another, we encourage each other, we really speak positively to each other and I think that’s really helped us on the pitch and off it.”

“I know Martha had a tough time, but that season just there she really found her happiness and smile again.

"It just shows when you get Martha in that good place, she’s unstoppable and we know that as a team. If we get the crosses in, she’ll get it, she’ll score no matter what."

Scotland boss Pedro Martinez Losa says their Euro qualification job "is not finished yet" even though they're guaranteed a play-off place before their final two games.

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Pedro Martinez Losa wants Scotland to deliver another high-level performance against Slovakia on Friday night (18:00 BST).

The Scots are top of their Euro qualifying group with three wins and a draw so far, but Martinez Losa challenged his team to be ruthless in their two remaining fixtures.

"In the last camp we were more clinical in the final third but that’s not something you can assume is going to happen all the time," Martinez Losa said.

"We just have to go one step at a time and face the scenarios.

"Slovakia are playing for everything tomorrow because they need a point at least or three to still have options of being in the play-offs, so as much as we can have a feeling of part of the job is done, the job is finished when it’s finished.

“For us, it’s a new opportunity to prove ourselves, to prove the level of the team, to prove that we can be competitive in this context again and the more we repeat, the more we can feel the reward of doing a good job, I think the mentality and the development of the team will progress."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Nitra

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Pedro Martinez Losa caught up with BBC Scotland ahead of Scotland's penultimate Euro 2025 qualifier against Slovakia on Friday.

Here are the key points he made:

• Scotland will have to "adapt and be ready" for the challenge the unusual heat in Nitra will present on Friday night.

• The head coach insists his side have "reached decent levels" in the campaign, but is calling for "consistency and repetition of the good moments".

• While Scotland found their "clinical edge" in the last camp, the Spaniard says "that is not something you can assume is going to happen all the time," though his side do lead the group on goal difference.

• Finishing top of Group B2 and ensuring promotion to League A in the Nations League would "would be a great motivation because it gives you that feeling of being unbeatable in one way, being solid," he said.

• Martinez Losa has urged Mia McAulay to "represent Scotland in the same way Jane Ross does" as the 17-year-old replaces the injured striker.

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Brighton have announced the arrival of Rachel McLauchlan after her departure from SWPL side Rangers.

The 27-year-old spent three seasons with the Glasgow outfit having previously had spells with Aberdeen, Hibs and Glasgow City as well as Yeovil Town south of the border.

"We’re delighted to welcome Rachel to the club," Brighton's managing director of women’s and girls’ football Zoe Johnson told the club website, external.

"She’s an experienced player who’s competed in cup finals and the Champions League, as well as on the international stage for Scotland.

"She’s developed her career in the last few seasons with Rangers and we’re looking forward to seeing her thrive in the WSL."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Nitra, Slovakia

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There's a severe high temperature warning in place here in Nitra, and one can vouch it's needed.

It's in the mid-high 30s at peak time, but still in the high 20s or low 30s during the night. Not comfortable for sleep.

One can't imagine it's comfortable to play in, either, but Scotland will have to do just that tomorrow evening (18:00 BST).

A few members of the squad are used to playing in the heat - Claire Emslie out in Los Angeles and Sam Kerr in Munich - but the bulk are much more familiar with being drenched by ridiculous rain, not sweltering sweat.

It's another challenge Pedro Martinez Losa's side will have to overcome, but they've handled every hurdle in front of them in this qualifying campaign so far exceptionally well.

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Grant Scott has provided an update on the Hibs squad as they prepare for their first pre-season friendly.

Eilidh Adams and Rachael Boyle are both back on the training pitch with striker Adams returning from a broken foot that she sustained back in March.

Boyle hasn't featured for Hibs since February 2023 when she ruptured her ACL shortly after returning from maternity leave.

Rosie Livingstone will take a little longer to return, and she may miss the start of the season with a back injury.

"Eilidh Adams and Rachel Boyle are back on the pitch," the manager told club media.

"Still a little bit limited but it's good to see them away from purely gym and conditioning work so that's positive.

"Rosie Livingstone we've had to be very careful with her, it being a back issue but she seems to have recovered this time a lot better than the last.

"We're just waiting for the go ahead, she'll probably miss the first part of pre-season, maybe the start of the season while we get her up to speed but she's a lot closer than we expected at this point so it's really positive for her."