Scottish Women's Football

Alfie Robinson
BBC Sport Scotland

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Chloe Craig says Celtic need to "get the fans back on board" as they look to "right the wrongs" of last season in the new SWPL campaign.

The 2024-2025 season was a bitterly disappointing one for the then defending champions as they finished fourth - 15 points behind table-topping Hibs - and failed to win a domestic cup.

Craig missed the majority of the campaign after suffering an ACL rupture last September, but the centre-back believes if Celtic "block out the noise" they can return to the heights of previous years despite some notable summer departures.

"It's been good to get the girls back in and try and make the wrongs right," Craig said.

"I think it's just about taking the pressure off ourselves. We've not got any pressure on us this season.

"Of course, Champions League was a big thing for us in terms of the amount of games we played. That's something we don't really have this season and can use to our advantage domestically. But for us, in previous seasons, we've won trophies, we've won the league.

"It's just about getting that fire back in the belly to go and redo it.

"I think there's been a lot of noise around the club with either fans or people not liking where it's going or what's happening, stuff like that.

"So for us, it's proving that we are Celtic, we are good, we're still the club that have won trophies previously."

The 31-year-old felt some of last season's woes could be attributed to a lack of experience of being the hunted rather than the hunter. And with women's football developing at a sharp rate, reminding themselves no game is easy is paramount to being successful.

Craig added: "When you compare the team now to the team we won the league with it's completely different.

"But people that come into the team know that they're not just playing for any club, they're playing for Celtic so they know that comes with pressure and high standards.

"With how the seasons have been going previously, you can't take any game lightly. Every team is good and they'll hit you with surprises in their own ways.

"It's just us getting our heads down and trying to get the fans back on board."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hibs striker Eilidh Adams wants her side to "show what we can do" on the European stage this season.

As the reigning SWPL champions, Hibs have the chance to play Champions League football.

They face Danish side Fortuna Hjorring on 27 August, and striker Eilidh Adams says everyone at the club is "really excited" about the challenge.

"For me and quite a lot of the other girls, it's a new experience," she said.

"I've never played European football before so there's teams you're not familiar with, not really sure what to expect but it's an opportunity to go out there and show what we can do."

Adams is aiming high this season in terms of personal targets.

"Obviously, as a striker, it's the goal tally, I scored 27 last season," she added.

"So this season I'll be looking to hit the 30 mark if I can."

And she's hoping that kind of form will continue to attract the attention of the Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta.

After making her Scotland senior debut against Austria in the Nations League in February of this year, she won her first start four days later against the Netherlands and wants to experience the "privilege" of representing her country again.

"I think it'll be hard to beat last season," Adams said.

"It wasn't until the end of the season that I kind of reflected on it and thought, wow, that was incredible for me, what I achieved."

"It's just about trying to continue with my form, keep improving season upon season.

"So I'll be trying to put myself in the best possible position to hopefully get called up again."

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Rangers captain Nicola Docherty says Leanne Crichton's "winning mentality" will make her a success as the club's new head coach.

Jo Potter made the move to Crystal Palace this summer, having won back-to-back domestic doubles with the Glasgow club and was replaced by former Glasgow City and Motherwell assistant Crichton.

Docherty, a teammate of Crichton's at Glasgow City, feels the new boss' high standards will improve the teams' mentality, and it will be a "smooth" transition from being her teammate to her boss.

"I've actually found the new dynamic with her being my manager quite smooth because I remember when I look back on my career with Leanne I respected her so much as a player," the defender said.

"So I think that's what makes it easier when she comes in to be my manager. I just remember that respect that I had for her, the winning mentality that she has, the standards that she drove day in, day out, and that's not going to be any different now that she's my manager."

Although they won two of the three competitions they were involved in last term, Potter's side missed out on the league title on the final day, losing to champions Hibernian.

"I think when you look at the cup success, it was amazing what we did," Docherty added.

"We were probably the underdogs going into the Glasgow City game in the final and we came out on top.

"But when you look back at the final day at Ibrox it was obviously a difficult one to take and I told the players to go away and feel that emotion and that hurt because that's what will make us stronger for the upcoming season.

"I think the the key message well be taking into the season is consistency.

"And I think that's where we've let ourselves down in previous years, that winning mentality. It's consistency that wins you league titles".

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Scotland defender Emma Mukandi has confirmed her retirement from all forms of football.

The 32-year-old has 75 senior caps for her country, following her debut against France back in 2011. Only 20 female players have made more appearances.

She started her career at Glasgow City in 2008 and played for SGS Essen in the Frauen-Bundesliga, Arsenal and Reading before signing for Championship side London City Lionesses in 2023.

"It's so hard to sum up how I feel about playing for Scotland, representing my country is without a doubt the pinnacle of my career," said Mukandi, reflecting on her international career.

"First of all, I'm so proud to be Scottish and to pull that top on 75 times was such a privilege.

"The memories I have from all of the youth squads and into the senior side will stay with me forever."

Mukandi, nee Mitchell, took a break from football in 2021 to give birth to her first child, but made a remarkable return to the national team.

"It made it even more special to have Innes with me on my international journey. I never thought I'd be able to have those moments after having a baby so to come back into the squad as a Mum is one of my greatest achievements," she said.

"The football is just one part of it, but the girls that I met along the way and the times we had together is something that I'll always treasure."

She was most recently called up to the full squad under Pedro Martinez Losa in December 2024, coming on in the 2-0 loss to Finland as Scotland failed to qualify for the Euros.

"You almost can't describe what it means to play for Scotland because it's not just the game, but everything that comes with it.

"The pride, the heartbreak, the successes and the laughs, all done with some of the best people that I've ever met."

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Aberdeen have signed goalkeeper Katie Cox on a season-long loan deal from WSL champions Chelsea.

The 19-year-old academy graduate signed her first professional contract last year and although she is yet to make her senior debut, Cox spent last season as part of the treble-winning side's travelling party.

The goalkeeper was also part of the matchday squad for their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona the previous season.

"I'm delighted to be here. This will be a great experience for me and I can't wait to get going," the England Under-19 international told RedTV, external.

"Last season I took in so much being around the first-team set-up at Chelsea and now I can't wait to show what I've learned.

"It is a chance for me to really develop and hopefully I can help the team out. I am ready for a challenge and I really want to push myself."

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Hayley Lauder says it "makes sense" to take on a player-assistant coach role at Glasgow City.

The 35-year-old midfielder fills the position after former assistant Leanne Crichton joined Rangers as their new head coach.

Lauder has made 252 appearances since joining City in December 2014 and has won seven SWPL titles, two Scottish Cups and one League Cup.

"I'm very excited," Lauder said.

"The stage that I'm at playing wise, it is a move that makes sense for me.

"I can continue providing that support as a player to the team, but also as a member of staff to Leanne [Ross].

"We have always had a good relationship and one that is really honest. We can challenge each other, but always have that respect there. I'm looking forward to continuing that."

City head coach Leanne Ross said Lauder's "knowledge of the game is exceptional" and added: "She's been a leader on the pitch for years - now she'll bring that same insight and passion to the coaching side."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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New Rangers head coach Leanne Crichton has been speaking to the media after being officially unveiled at Ibrox.

Here are the key points:

• Crichton insists the immediate focus will be on winning, with the SWPL campaign starting on 17 August, adding that "you need to win and being second best is ultimately unacceptable".

• Rangers have narrowly missed out on the league title in each of the past three seasons and the former Scotland international is keen to find solutions as to why they've not managed to get over that line.

• "That's the detail I need to find," she tells BBC Scotland. "It's about the one per cents, the mentality shift to really focus on that."

• Crichton adds: "I think everybody in Scottish women's football and beyond has enjoyed that level of competition, but for us it would be about ultimately getting over the line and we know with that comes the lure of European football as well."

• The former Motherwell and Glasgow City assistant described her appointment as an "unbelievable opportunity" given "the magnitude of the job and the club" and said her coaching journey to this point comes off the back of progress over a "long, long time".

• She also believes that playing at Ibrox more consistently in the upcoming season will be "huge" and is really "proud to be the head coach that takes that forward".

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The first Edinburgh derby will be shown live on BBC Alba as Hearts host reigning champions, and city rivals, Hibs.

BBC Alba will also broadcast Aberdeen v Celtic live on Sunday 14 September, and the following weekend will see Elena Sadiku's side host title winners Hibs on Sunday 21 September, followed by Rangers v Glasgow City on Sunday 28 September.

BBC Sport Scotland will be live with all the action from Partick Thistle v Rangers on Sunday 14 September, and Glasgow City v Hearts on Sunday 21 September.

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After securing back-to-back domestic cup doubles, and narrowly missing out on the league title two years in a row, Jo Potter left Rangers on a high.

And it's fair to say Leanne Crichton will have big boots to fill as she takes over as manager of the Glasgow club.

BBC Scotland have taken a look at what Rangers fans can expect from their new boss.

Scottish knowledge

As far as the Scottish game is concerned, Crichton has been there, seen it, done it and bought the t-shirt.

During her time as a player at Glasgow City, she helped the club snag three domestic trebles in a row and reached the UWCL quarter-finals not once, but twice, in a City shirt.

The midfielder also spent time with Celtic, Hibs and Motherwell during her playing career before switching to the dugout.

The 37-year-old has also been a key player in driving the women's game forward in Scotland off the pitch and has become a regular television and radio pundit across the BBC.

International experience galore

At international level, Crichton earned 72 caps for the national team and scored three goals in those outings.

She was in the first SWNT squad to appear in a major tournament back at Euro 2017 and was selected again for the World Cup in 2019 - albeit Scotland didn't make it out of the group stage.

The midfielder continued to play up until as recently as 2020, having earned her first senior cap in 2009 following several successful years with the Under-19s.

In the dug out

Crichton's not lacking in managerial experience either, and while she's not faced the challenge of managing an SWPL side outright, she has a wealth of assistant manager experience.

She earned her UEFA B Licence in 2017 and was issued her A Licence in 2022.

After leaving Glasgow City in 2021, Crichton joined up with Motherwell as a player-coach before officially hanging up her boots the following campaign.

As part of her role at K-Park, Crichton helped the side to two successive seventh-place finishes in the top division as well as a Scottish Cup semi-final appearance at Hampden.

She returned to Glasgow City last year as assistant first team coach to former teammate Leanne Ross.

She helped guide City to a second-place SWPL finish, narrowly missing out on the trophy, as they also secured a spot in the UWCL qualifiers for the 2025/26 season.

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Striker Rio Hardy has left Rangers after two goal-laden seasons to join WSL2 side Bristol City.

Hardy moved from Durham in summer 2023 and netted 34 times in her debut campaign to help Rangers win the Women's Scottish Cup and SWPL Cup.

The English forward, 29, was again prolific last term, scoring 28 goals as the Ibrox club retained both domestic cups.

"Playing for Rangers has been some of the best days of my life, nothings beats winning trophies with your team-mates," Hardy said.

Rangers are expected to appoint Glasgow City assistant Leanne Crichton as their new head coach to replace Jo Potter, who left to manage Crystal Palace last month.

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Champions Hibernian v Aberdeen and Celtic's trip to face Hearts will be shown live by the BBC on the opening weekend of the SWPL season as part of a new three-year broadcast deal.

BBC Alba will show a minimum of 26 SWPL live games - plus at least one SWPL2 match - until the end of the 2027-28 season.

And BBC Scotland will continue to deliver live matches via iPlayer, plus the BBC Sport website and app, as well as the weekly highlights show on the BBC Scotland channel on Monday evenings.

The season gets under way on Sunday, 17 August and BBC Alba have live coverage of Hibs against Aberdeen (16:10 BST) while Hearts host Celtic (Kick-off time tbc) on iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

"We are delighted to announce the renewal of our partnerships with BBC Alba and BBC Scotland," said Fiona McIntyre, SWPL managing director.

"Both have been excellent partners of the women's game in Scotland for a number of years now, and we are delighted that fans of the SWPL will continue to be able to follow the best of the league action for the next three years."

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New arrival Alice Griffith "enhances an area of the pitch" that Rangers have been eager to strengthen this summer, as the "hugely talented" midfielder signs a two-year deal with the club.

The 24-year-old Wales international joins following the end of her contract at Southampton.

Rangers are still searching for their new manager, but women's and girls' managing director Donald Gillies said they are "thrilled" to sign Griffith.

"She is a hugely talented player who we believe enhances an area of the pitch that we have been keen to strengthen this summer," he added.

"From our very first conversations, it was clear that Alice is hungry to deliver success at this club, and we look forward to seeing her impact over the coming seasons."

The former Southampton player started her career at Cyncoed Ladies in the Welsh top-flight before a move to Cardiff Met Ladies in the same league.

A move to Charlton Athletic followed, before joining Southampton.

"I'm delighted to be here," she told club media.

"I heard [of the interest] at the start of the summer, but I had the Euros, so I was trying to put all my focus into that.

"Off the back of that, I knew that I wanted to be here and play for Rangers."

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Winger Abbie Ferguson has joined WSL2 side Southampton after leaving Scottish champions Hibs.

The 20-year-old Scotland youth international scored four goals and recorded five assists in 27 appearances last term as she helped Hibs lift the SWPL title for the first time in 18 years.

Ferguson, who started out with Celtic before spending two years at Hibs, said: "I've played in Scotland throughout my career, so I wanted to make the move [to England].

"Hopefully it will help me develop as a footballer and mature as a person - I'm really looking forward to the challenge."

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Aberdeen have signed Scotland Under-19 defender Abi Tobin on a two-year deal following her departure from Rangers.

The 18-year-old spent last season on loan with Hamilton Accies and featured in all 28 league games as the Lanarkshire side were promoted back the top flight at the first time of asking.

"She really stood out in what was a strong Hamilton side last season, something which is even more impressive considering her age," said manager Scott Booth.

"I'm really excited to work with her and develop her game, and I believe she can have a big part to play in what we want to achieve going forward."

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Defender Samantha van Diemen has departed Glasgow City for Serie A side Roma for an undisclosed fee.

Van Diemen, 23, joined City last season from Fortuna Sittard and was a standout performer for Leanne Ross' side as they finished second in the SWPL, securing Champions League football in the process.

Her last act for City came in the Scottish Cup final where she was sent off late on - when Rangers were already three goals to the good - for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.

The Dutch-born defender, who made her debut for the Dominican Republic, was nominated for the PFA Scotland SWPL player of the year award and picked up her supporters' player of the year trophy.

The centre-back made 38 appearances for City last season, scoring five goals.

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Republic of Ireland international Claire Walsh has joined Celtic on a one-year deal following the expiry of her contract at fellow SWPL side Glasgow City.

Defender Walsh, 30, joined City from Peamount United in 2021, making over 100 appearances and winning the league three seasons ago with the Petershill Park club.

She was an ever-present for City as they pipped Celtic to the title in 2023, but missed the majority of the following season through injury.

She made 15 appearances for Leanne Ross' side last term and she's keen to share her experiences.

"I'm really excited to have joined Celtic," Walsh told club media. "It is obviously a massive club.

"It's somewhere I've been many times as a fan too, so to come in here as a player is pretty cool, and I'm really excited about it.

"I'm hoping to come in, and bring what I have experienced before and help as much as I can."

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Scotland defender Jamie-Lee Napier has become former Rangers manager Jo Potter's first signing at Crystal Palace.

Full-back Napier, 25, joins Palace - who were relegated to WSL 2 last season - on a two-year deal after captaining Bristol City in the second tier.

The former Chelsea defender - who was named SWPL player of the year in 2018 after scoring 22 goals in 33 appearances for Hibs - says she "shares the club's values, goals and ambitions".

Napier will have a familiar face in fellow Scotland international Chloe Arthur, who has been at Palace since 2022.