Scottish Women's Football

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Rangers cruised into the semi-finals of the SWPL Cup with a dominant 8-1 win over Motherwell at K-Park.

Goals from Leah Eddie, Charlie Devlin and Rio Hardy put Rangers three goals to the good, before Amy Sharkey pulled one back for Motherwell.

However, two goals before the break from the prolific Katie Wilkinson put Rangers in total control at half-time, and she would go on to complete her hat-trick on 73 minutes with a free-kick.

Liv McLoughlin and Kirsty Howat added further gloss to the scoreline late on for the defending champions.

In Sunday's quarter-final fixtures, Boroughmuir Thistle host Aberdeen, Hibernian face Partick Thistle and Celtic take on Glasgow City live on BBC Alba.

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It's the return of the League Cup as we head into the quarter-final stage, with one of the 'big three' certain to be eliminated.

That's because Celtic play host to Glasgow City, in what we've deemed to be the tie of the round - and it's also live on BBC Alba from 16:00 on Sunday.

It's a repeat of the final in 2021 - which Celtic won 1-0 thanks to a Caitlin Hayes goal - and a repeat of last year's quarter-finals - which Celtic won 3-0.

In the league, things have been a little different this year. City sit top of the SWPL table, but are only a point ahead of Rangers and Hearts.

Celtic meanwhile, have had to deal with the complication of European group stage football for the very first time and that will be in head coach Elena Sadiku's thinking again, with Chelsea visiting Celtic Park next Wednesday.

This is the start of a very tough run for Sadiku's side. After Chelsea, they host Rangers in a pivotal SWPL clash before visiting Stamford Bridge in more Champions League action.

Perhaps that will affect Sadiku's squad selection, but she can rely on the fact her side have had the best of City in recent encounters. They've won six of the last 10 games, with City only victorious twice.

City are also looking for their first League Cup triumph since 2015 - an almost 10-year wait for a trophy they've won six times in their history.

The other quarter-finals are as follows:

Partick Thistle v Hibernian

Motherwell v Rangers

Boroughmuir Thistle v Aberdeen

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Hearts' 16-year-old defender Erin Husband has won the SWPL player of the month award for October.

Husband has played 11 games this season - her first full campaign - and helped Eva Olid's side to a strong start where they sit third, just a point off the top.

The teenager started all of Hearts' October games as they won three out of three, including a 1-0 victory over defending champpions Celtic.

Kilmarnock's Abby Robinson won the SWPL 2 player of the month award after the midfielder scored twice and provided an assist in her side's three wins in October.

Former Scotland goalkeeper Gemma Fay has being drawn with "tasty opponents" Germany, Netherlands and Austria in Nations League A is a difficult draw but "good challenge" for Pedro Martinez Losa's side.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Back among the heavyweights, Scotland have been drawn with a couple of big hitters on their return to Nations League A.

But with a spot at next summer's European Championships still in their sights, it's the sort of sides - Germany and Netherlands as well as Austria - the Scots will want to wrestle with.

In the last international window, when Scotland were competing in crucial play-offs, Germany were tormenting England in a friendly.

There wasn't many things friendly about it, certainly not the way in which the Germans rushed into a 3-0 lead and exposed England's weaknesses in defence.

All that sounds incredibly daunting given that fewer than 12 months ago, England ripped Scotland apart and annihilated them 6-0.

However, Sarina Weigman's side shed light on the Germans' weakness too, also in defence, so Scotland's on-form attack will need to remain just that come spring next year.

It doesn't get any easier with Netherlands, and the memories from back-to-back defeats to the Dutch last year are still fresh in the mind.

Particularly in Nijmegen, the classy Dutch were commanding and a level above. Remember, though, that was without any of Sam Kerr, Erin Cuthbert and Caroline Weir in the midfield.

Narrowing the gap from last year would be marked improvement against Andries Jonker's side, while giving the Germans a scare would be a shout. But the picking up of points will be looked to be done against Austria.

Two years ago, Scotland hosted Austria in the World Cup play-off semi-final. They were far from their best but managed to sneak through in extremely un-Scottish fashion, scoring a late winner.

Scotland have improved since then. Pedro Martinez Losa believes it, his players believe it, and the run of results they've racked up recently proves it.

Tougher tests than the ones they've faced this year await, but should Scotland get the job done against Finland in the coming weeks and book their spot in next summer's Euros, these Nations League games will act as the starter before the main meal in Switzerland.

Gully Singh
BBC Sport Scotland

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Pedro Martinez Losa believes Scotland's 2025 Nations League group is the "second most difficult", but says his side "are ready to go" in the top tier again.

The Scots were promoted back to League A following an unbeaten Euro qualifying campaign this year.

They finished bottom of Group A1 in 2023 after drawing twice with Belgium and losing home and away to England and Netherlands.

Martinez Losa's side face the Dutch again, as well as Germany and Austria, with the group stage running from February to early June.

"We're very pleased to come back to League A," the head coach told BBC Scotland.

"Teams like Netherlands you always in theory want to avoid, but at the end you have to play against some of them.

"I don't think we got the worst - the most difficult group has England and Spain - but probably the second most difficult.

"In terms of having to compete against Germany and Netherlands, we already know them well and also Austria is a very competitive team, so I'm excited in one part.

"We’re ready to go and celebrate the women's game with the fans and challenge ourselves, which is what it is about, but also respecting the opponent and thinking that it's going to be difficult for us. But we will be prepared."

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"There's no perfect job in football, but looking at this just now, it's as close to perfect as it could be."

It's safe to say Leanne Crichton is buzzing about returning home to Glasgow City.

The former midfielder enjoyed three highly successful spells at Petershill Park and will return as assistant coach to former team-mate, Leanne Ross.

"It's been a bit of a whirlwind, the last couple of days my phone has been busy," Crichton said on the BBC's Behind the Goals podcast.

"Folk that are City daft are buzzing that a former player is coming back.

"That seems to be the vibe and it's just one of these things that caught me off guard. My mind was blown."

After a few years away from the City sphere, Crichton has perhaps forgot the impact she had on those of a City persuasion.

She's learning a few things on her return, though, none more so than the vast improvements the club have made in the three years since she left.

"It feels like a new club," she added. "I totally underestimated how different it was, the facilities and the resources.

"I never realised the staffing structure was as extensive as it is, everything that Glasgow City have got is what most of the top-flight men's sides in Scotland are operating with, it's probably better than some.

"From the outside looking in, people might think it's a gamble or a bit risky, but it's going to be unbelievable."

Everything is falling into place for new mum Crichton who describes the switch as a "sliding doors moment".

"One of the reasons I left Glasgow City was to go and make mistakes," she said.

"Go and coach and learn and develop and sell myself as a coach in a different environment, not somewhere I was protected and where I had a status as a former player having achieved so much.

"It is complete a sliding doors moment, it's such a crossroads with my work-life balance for what that looked like for me and my family. There's no perfect job in football, but looking at this just now, it's as close to perfect as it could be."

You can listen and subscribe to the Behind the Goals podcast with Rachel and Leanne here.

Leanne Crichton and Rachel Corsie discuss Leanne's return to Glasgow City as Leanne Ross' assistant coach on Behind the Goals.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Lee Gibson (Glasgow City): It might not have been her busiest afternoon, but at 2-0 she saved a Thistle effort which, if it had gone in, could have put a different perspective on the match.

Stacey Papadopoulous (Hibs): Had a lot of joy breaking forward from the back and her deliveries set up two goals. She was a real threat down the flank.

Caitlin Hayes (Celtic): A steady and calming influence at the back for Celtic. Was happy venturing forward against Motherwell too.

Emma Lawton (Celtic): She’s stepped up a level with ease and is fast becoming a key player for Celtic. She’s so versatile, switching into the back three so naturally against Motherwell, and once again was an attacking threat with a goal and an assist.

Emma Brownlie (Hearts): As well dealing with her defensive duties, she’s also full of intent to get forward setting up attacks. Two assists this weekend and it could have been more.

Lisa Evans (Glasgow City): After a brilliant performance for her country midweek, she brought that to club level this weekend. Her experience is vital for City, and that was evident this weekend on and off the ball.

Kirsty Maclean (Rangers): Back in the Rangers team after injury and scored her first goals of the season for her side. Her second strike was a beauty from distance as she looped the ball in off the crossbar.

Lisa Robertson (Hearts): So influential for Hearts, and this weekend she among the goals too. She showed great technique to open the scoring for her side and she kept her cool to score from the penalty spot too.

Charlie Devlin (Rangers): Looks to be finding her feet at Rangers after her September move. Her hat-trick of goals, her first for the club, helped Rangers bounce back from their league slip up last time out. A good afternoon capped off with two assists as well.

Eilidh Adams (Hibs): Scored two quick fire goals, firstly putting Hibs in front then making the lead more commfortable. She’s in terrific form - that’s now 17 goals in 13 games.

Brenna Lovera (Glasgow City): Her return to form from a long-term injury has been impressive. She was back among the goals again this weekend as she helped City maintain their unbeaten streak. Aside from scoring she also tracked back when she had to halt Thistle in their tracks.

We asked you for your views from the weekend's action.

Here's what you had to say:

Richard: Another competent and well-managed game and, of course, result for the Jambos. It was especially pleasing to see the next generation blooded again with starts for Broadrick, Ilijoski, Greenwood and Jardine, making the future look rosy when coupled with the Husband twins.

The star of the show, however, was the fantastic, seemingly ever-youthful Lisa Robertson, who darted with gusto for the entire 90, covering every inch of the park and, was unlucky not to get a hat-trick.

Jim: Great win Celtic, so exciting to see a five team title fight, unlike the two teams in the men's (Aberdeen and Celtic).

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Spartans head coach Jack Beesley: "On the balance of chances, if you were to watch just the highlights, you'd probably sau, 'aw, we should have won that,' but I don't think performance wise we deserved that.

"In the end we got a point from a game we played poorly in and probably got ourselves off the hook."

Queen's Park head coach Craig Joyce: "We had a game plan and we stuck to it very well today. We were very robust, hard to break down and I thought the players were outstanding to a player today.

"Disappointed we've not took three points, but, you can respect the threat Spartans bring. You take the point, move on and progress from there."

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Hearts head coach Eva Olid: "I think we needed 30 minutes to read the spaces because the backline was so high. At the beginning, we couldn't read that and we were playing short passes when the space was behind.

"One time we identify the space and the game changes."

Dundee United head coach Suzy Shepherd: "The first half the organisation, the communication, the work rate was positive.

"Then from the first half performance to the second half performance was disappointing and frustrating."

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Motherwell head coach Paul Brownlie: "It's important for me and my players to focus on the many positives which came from the game. We created lots of opportunities and on another day, we could have took them.

"We knew possession wise we would be quite limited, but defensively I thought we had a good structure and we tried to implement the game plan.

"Midweek is huge, it's massive for us. Game's like today don't define our season but Wednesday is one we're looking forward to as a group."

Celtic head coach Elena Sadiku: "I thought first half we were brilliant, second half we created chances again but overall, very proud of the girls' performance tonight.

"This is a great game for us to play. Motherwell have got great results against top teams, so us coming here doing what we did shows the quality we have.

"We have the same aim of winning the league, and we want to show that.

"Right now I feel like wherever I play Emma [Lawton] she does great so I am so happy with her performance."

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Rangers head coach Jo Potter: "Scoring 10 goals is always nice. The variety of goalscorers and the different ways we scored goals really pleased me.

"The goals we conceded today are the kind of goals we have to try and take out of our performances, because it just puts a little bit of a dampener on it.

"They're not really creating many chances or opportunities so to get two goals from a game today, it shouldn't be happening. We need to eradicate it from our game."

Montrose manager Craig Feroz: "You've got to learn from every game but I thought first half Rangers were excellent, though in the second half we were much better.

"It's never a surprise to lose to these teams, the gulf is huge and Rangers were on their game today and when they are, there is no much you can do."

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Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross: "I thought it was a dominant performance, and coming in off the back of the international break with little preparation, to put in a performance like that is really pleasing.

"We don't look too far ahead, we win our individual games and try to take advantage of slip ups from anywhere else. That's what we'll continue to do and as long as we focus on our own performances and get that type of performance, then I don't think we'll be too far away come the end of the season.

"[Brenna Lovera] is huge for this team, she brings a different kind of dimension to our play and is important to our play."

Partick Thistle manager Brian Graham: "We are under no illusions City are a good team, they are top of the league for a reason. I just felt the quality in the City team today was too good for us, I'm going to be honest.

"We kept giving the ball away so cheaply and that really annoyed me."

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Aberdeen head coach Scott Booth: "I thought in the first half we competed really well with a really good side and made it difficult for them. We nullified their real threat in wide areas.

"Energy was high and so getting the first goal was great for us but I felt like in the second half, we sort of hit a wall fitness wise and then Hibs exploited that really well.

"We need to make sure we keep the ball better, we'll be working on that. We need to keep the ball for longer, we gave it away quite easily at times which made it simple for Hibs."

Hibernian head coach Grant Scott: "We got our rewards in the end. I thought we were really untidy in the first half and disappointed with the goal we lost for sure but we rectified a few things thereafter and got ourselves back in it and the strength of the group saw it over the line in the end.

"At half-time I felt we hadn't been anywhere near our performances levels in the first half.

"It's good to come away from home, on a long journey, getting a number of goals with different goalscorers."

Were you at any of Sunday's games or following the action from home? Either way we want to know your views on another free scoring weekend in the SWPL.

Have your say here, external.

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Leanne Crichton will return to Glasgow City as first team assistant coach, taking up the role in December.

Former Scotland midfielder Crichton had three playing spells at City, the domestic treble during her second stint just some of the honours she accumulated. She left for Motherwell in 2021, becoming player-coach.

"The excitement immediately comes from being back at a team competing at the top of the table and looking for silverware at a place where I had spent a huge part of my career and experienced many enjoyable seasons over the years," Crichton said.

"I always felt that I would at some point come back to Glasgow City because of the love that I have for the club but I thought it was important that I went away and proved myself in a new environment. I had a fantastic time working alongside Paul Brownlie at Motherwell and hopefully everyone saw what we were trying to achieve."

Crichton is undergoing a Uefa Pro Licence course and will replace Scott Booth as Leanne Ross' assistant, with Booth having taken over at Aberdeen as head coach.

"It's going to be a real buzz to work with Leanne, we were room-mates with the national team and team-mates at Glasgow City," said Crichton. "We have always challenged each other but there is always that respect between us and a shared work ethic to push for the very best.

"This is the first time that I will have had the opportunity to work at a fully professional side and being involved in that day to day, working with a very talented group of players, is super exciting too."

Ross added: "Leanne is somebody with deep connections at the club and brings a lot of experience in the game both as a player and now as a coach working with Motherwell and the Scotland youth national teams.

"It felt like a good fit and she is the right person with the process to bring her in completed pretty quickly. I don't think there is anybody else better in terms of knowing me and I know we will be able to work together to continue to build that relationship."