Scottish Women's Football

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Left-back Addie Handley has committed to Hearts for the 2024/25 season.

The 19-year-old missed the back end of last season, including Hearts' historic cup final at Hampden, after sustaining an injury.

"Firstly, I’m delighted Addie has committed to another year with us," manager Eva Olid told club media, external.

"It was very disappointing that she picked up an injury towards the end of the season, as she was in great form at the time and was playing a huge part in what was a successful time for the team.

"Addie has some great attributes. She’s versatile and very quick. For someone so young, that versatility is rare, but it’s a huge benefit to the team.

"It’s almost three years that she’s been with us here at Hearts and in that time, she has developed a lot. I look forward to her returning to training and continuing her development with us here at Hearts."

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Partick Thistle have signed former Aberdeen keeper Jennifer Currie on a permanent deal.

The shot-stopper played a vital role in helping the Dons comfortably secure their place in the SWPL for the coming season but opted to move on from the club.

"I'm really happy to be a Partick Thistle player," Currie, who has also spent time with Hibs, Hearts and Hamilton Accies told club media., external

"From speaking to Brian it’s clear the ambition he has for the team and that has shown every time I’ve come up against Thistle in the past.

"It’s a team who are so together and clearly fight for each other on the pitch and I wanted to be part of that and part of the way the club are trying to grow."

Manager Brian Graham added: "Jen is a player I’ve admired for a number of years. She has played well against us so often in the past, so it’s great to finally have her on our side and welcome her to Partick Thistle.

"I thought it was important to make sure we had a permanent goalkeeper this season and Jeni was our number one target.

"She’s an experienced, commanding goalkeeper who is a fantastic shot-stopper."

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Rangers winger Mia McAulay has bagged her first senior Scotland call-up and could make her full international debut against Slovakia on Friday.

The 17-year-old replaces Jane Ross in Pedro Martinez Losa's squad for their Euro 2025 qualifiers against Slovakia and Serbia.

McAulay, who was a standout performer in Rangers' cup double-winning side last season, has featured heavily for Scotland at youth level.

"I am delighted to have been selected for Scotland senior for the first time - it is a proud moment for me and my family," the teenager told club media.

"It has always been a dream of mine to play for my country at this level and I hope to get the chance to show people what I can do in these matches."

Manager Jo Potter added: "I am extremely delighted that Mia has been called up to the Scotland A squad.

"It is more than deserved and a just-reward for all her hard work throughout the last campaign and start of pre-season, her development as well as willingness to learn has been fantastic.

"It has been a long time coming and I am excited to see her continue to progress and I am sure this experience will only benefit her moving forward."

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Glasgow City have signed Dutch defender Samantha van Diemen from Fortuna Sittard on a two-year deal.

The 22-year-old featured at every youth level for the Netherlands and has also earned three senior international caps.

"I was planning to go find some heat in Spain or Italy but Glasgow City came along and so I decided this was the right move for me," the centre-back said.

"I was really convinced about the club's plans for this season, how the team are going to play, which I think will really suit me as a player, but also how beautiful a place Glasgow was to live in. I’ve only seen a little bit of it so far, but I can see why people think that.

"I’ve never won a title before, that’s why I came here. I want to win trophies."

Head coach Leanne Ross added: "The signing of Sam, a centre-back with an impressive club and international resume, as well as a bright and promising future in the game, is a real coup for the club.

"Her playing style and personal qualities align perfectly with our ambitions and values, and I am excited to see what she can achieve in her Glasgow City career."

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Lisa Evans says Scotland are desperate for another taste of an international tournament.

The Scotland winger made the trip over to Germany to join the Tartan Army for the Euro 2024 opener and says the experience strengthened her resolve to reach a major tournament herself.

Pedro Martinez Losa's side face Slovakia and Serbia in their final Euros qualifiers for next year's tournament in Switzerland.

"A few of us were over in Germany and it was unbelievable." Evans said.

"Just being part of the Tartan Army and seeing things from that perspective, it makes you so proud to be Scottish.

"The boys gave everything they could but I think it gives you more motivation to be at a major tournament.

"We've come close ourselves, we've had a taste of playing at a Euros and a World Cup and it's something that we want to do more than anything so I think that's our main focus."

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Glasgow City have signed Dutch defender Kimberley Smit from Eredivisie side Excelsior Rotterdam.

The 24-year-old centre-back, who won the Belgian title with Anderlecht in 2023, joins Leanne Ross' side on a deal until summer 2026.

"The club's impact on the Scottish women’s game is something that I find really exciting and it's an honour to be playing here this season," Smit said.

“Leanne and [chief executive] Laura [Montgomery] talked to me and explained the club's background, that the club is just for women and that whole story is very cool.

"Along with the way the club wants to play, I felt like I needed to come here.”

Head coach Ross added: "Kimberley attracted my attention not only due to her defensive attributes but also her impressive skills in possession.

"Her positioning, pace, aerial ability, and determination to regain the ball will add to the strength of our defensive unit, while her confidence to take the ball under pressure will support the team to build out from the back."

Skipper Rachel Corsie says Scotland must "leverage" home advantage for their final Euro 2025 qualifier against Serbia.

The Scots are currently top of their group, joint on points with Serbia, who they face at Firhill Stadium next Tuesday.

First up in the closing double-header is a trip to take on Slovakia on Friday.

"It is an awkward time because most of us are in off-season or the early stages of pre-season," Aston Villa defender Corsie told the BBC's Behind the Goals podcast.

"I can't really remember this being a window that's been used in the past.

"Everyone's in a similar boat. It's awkward, the preparations aren't ideal because a lot of us aren't in a weekly schedule that builds to a game at the weekend.

"I've not had too much downtime. I've not actually had loads of time off because of the last international window in June.

"It's exciting because it's the last two games of the group. We've come in at the pole position.

"We'll be looking to finish top of the group, having home advantage for the last game we'll need to leverage in our favour."

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Dundee United captain Rachel Todd has swapped tangerine for claret and amber.

The left-back joins Motherwell after three seasons at Foundation Park having previously captained SWPL2 side St Johnstone.

She netted eight goals for United last season and captained the side to a play-off victory over Kilmarnock to retain their SWPL status.

"I'm delighted to have joined the club," Todd told club media, external.

"Paul [Brownlie] and Leanne [Crichton] really expressed their interest in bringing me to the club early over the summer and their vision for the future really attracted me to Motherwell.

"I am excited to get started and can't wait for the season ahead."

Manager Paul Brownlie added: "We identified Rachel as a key target during the previous season and have been working to get this over the line for many months.

"Earning the captaincy at both Dundee United and St Johnstone emphasises how important Rachel has been to both her previous clubs. A natural leader, Rachel will really develop our squad fort he season ahead."

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The improvement in the SWPL encouraged new Hearts recruit Lauren Wade to return to the Scottish top flight.

The midfielder left Glasgow City back in 2020 but has been keeping an eye on the game in Scotland since her departure.

Wade, who left Reading to join Eva Olid's side last week on a two-year contract, told HeartsTV: "I've been no stranger to be watching what's been happening.

"The way the league is going and what the clubs are doing, it's definitely up and coming in women's football.

"I played in the Scottish league a number of years ago and compared to where it is now, the league is making strides."

Wade is relishing a fresh challenge at Hearts as Olid's side attempt to build on last season's fourth-place finish and Scottish Cup final apperance.

"After speaking with [head of recruitment] Sean [Burt] and Eva, the vision that they have for the club, where they want the team to be, was something I was excited to hear and really wanted to be a part of," she added.

Brian Graham says Partick Thistle need to endure a tough pre-season if they want to compete with the teams at the top of the league.

Thistle were 7-0 winners in their opening pre-season friendly against St Johnstone on Sunday.

"It's [pre-season] been very challenging but the players have shown great attitude towards it," the manager told club media, external.

"They've really tried hard. If we want to try and compete against better teams in the league then we know we need to be extremely fit, especially to compete against the full-time teams.

"It's been challenging for them and It's only going to get harder."

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Jo Potter is relishing the chance for her Rangers side to face Arsenal in the upcoming Women's Champions League.

The Glasgow side face the WSL club in the semi-final of their Champions League group with the winner taking on the victor of Atletico Madrid v Rosenborg.

The two losing teams go into a third-place play-off match.

"I quite like it," Potter told RangersTV, external.

"You either want the best possible chance and you want to be drawn against the lowest ranked seeded teams or you want to have a go against the best and Arsenal and Atletico are two of the best.

"It's not going to be easy but it'll be a great test for us and a good chance for us to have a go.

"We missed out on Champions League football last year so we've got to make sure we enjoy it."

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Rangers begin their defence of the SWPL Cup away to Dundee United.

Last year's runners up Partick Thistle are at home to Spartans as they look to go one better.

League winners Celtic are away to Montrose while Glasgow City travel to face Hearts.

Aberdeen, under the guidance of new manager Colin Bell, will face the winner of Gartcain v St Johnstone and Motherwell take on the winner of Hamilton Accies v Kilmarnock.

Newly promoted Queen's Park have a tough start to the competition, coming up against one of the most successful sides in this competition Hibs.

An SWPL2 side is guaranteed a spot in the third round as the winner of Boroughmuir Thistle v Rossvale will play the winner of Ayr United v Livingston.

All ties are set to be played on or before 29 September.

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Glasgow City boss Leanne Ross is confident new singing Nicole Kozlova will get fans out their seats after the Ukraine international signed a two-year deal with the club.

Kozlova, who turns 24 on Monday, enjoyed a stellar season last term, scoring 23 goals in 24 games as FK Vorskla Poltava claimed a league and cup double in her homeland.

With 35 international caps and a strong Champions League record, the striker will bolster City's attacking arsenal, says Ross.

"I am delighted a player of Nicole’s ability and experience has identified Glasgow City as a professional, competitive environment where she can develop and flourish," she said.

"Adding Nicole to our squad will strengthen our attacking capabilities and no doubt excite the fans of Glasgow City."

Last season's Ukrainian title made it three league triumphs in a row for Kozlova, who won successive championships with HB Koge in Denmark in 2021/22 and 2022/23.

Now at Petershill Park, the forward is seeking to keep the run going.

“First of all they showed interest in me and you want to be in an environment that wants you and as they explained the project to me, their ambitions, the history of the club and that want to win championships I knew it was the place for me to be," Kozlova said.

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Wide player Hannah Robinson has joined Partick Thistle following her exit from fellow SWPL side Spartans.

The former Scotland youth international came through the ranks at Rangers before joining Debbi McCulloch's side in January 2022.

Primarily at full-back but also comfortable further forward on the wing, Robinson was a part of the Spartans side who made history, playing at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts at the end of last season.

An onlooker that day was Thistle manager Brian Graham, who admitted he has watched Robinson for some time.

"There was talk of it happening last season so I’m glad it’s finally happened," Robinson said.

“You can see everything Thistle are doing and achieving and the way they are pushing to become better. That matches me as a player so I’m delighted to be here”

Rangers' opening Women's Champions League mini-tournament game against Arsenal will be played at Meadow Park in London.

The match will take place on Wednesday 4 September with Atletico Madrid's game against Rosenborg also being contested on the same day.

The final and the third-place play-off games are both scheduled for Saturday 7 September.

Kick-off times for all the matches are yet to be confirmed.

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Image source, SNS

Celtic's upcoming Champions League tie against Finnish side KuPS will be hosted by Lithuanian side FC Gintra.

Elena Sadiku's champions will travel to Lithuania for the semi-final on 4 September and, if victorious, will face the winner of FC Gintra v Agarista in a final three days later to decide who moves on to the next round.

Although the Glasgow side had pitched to host the tournament, FC Gintra will be the hosts with the games being played at Siauliai Central Stadium.

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Elena Sadiku says there is no reason why her Celtic side cannot progress to the next stage of the Women's Champions League.

The SWPL champions face Finnish side KuPS in the first step in qualification for the group stage of the comeptition.

"I'm happy with the draw," the Swedish manager told Sky Sports, external. "It feels like we have a good chance to get into the next round.

"Having the confidence and the experience of actually playing in the Champions League before is good.

"Coming into the new season being champions, that's another big confidence boost and something we can build on. Anything is possible and that's something we try to believe in.

"We have really good fixtures in pre-season, we'll have good games in the league, we have a strong squad and we should be able to compete in every competition."

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Partick Thistle midfielder Amy Bulloch has put pen to paper on a one-year extension with the Glasgow club.

Bulloch made her 100th Thistle appearance last season and has been a key player for Brian Graham's side as they secured back-to-back top-six finishes in the SWPL.

"I’m delighted to be back for another season," the 31-year-old told club media., external

"It’s a really special place to be and I’m looking forward to another season with the girls.

"It’s been great to be back in for pre-season, it’s been really tough but we know how hard we’ll have to work to try and progress on everything we achieved last season."

Graham added: "It’s great to have Amy sign on for another season. She’s been a big part of the team since she arrived and I think last season was probably her best season at the club.

"She’s not only grown on the field but off the field she’s become a real leader in the dressing room and slotted into that vice-captain role last season really well."

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Hearts have signed Northern Ireland international Lauren Wade from Reading on a deal until 2026.

Wade, who has been capped 63 times by the national team, previously had a brief spell with Glasgow City.

"Lauren is a player with great experience in women’s football and that is crucial for we want to achieve this season," Eva Olid told club media, external.

"Firstly, she’s a player who will add so much quality to our forward line, but also, she is a real leader both on and off the pitch.

"I’ve spoken about balance before and Lauren is another play who will help us with that.

"When we explained the vision that we have here at Hearts, we instantly connected, and I love that."