Scottish Women's Football

Image source, SNS

Spartans manager Jack Beesley:

"For the first 20/25 minutes I thought we were a bit all over the place, I don't know if we didn't manage the emotion around the game well enough.

"Straight from the start of the second half we showed better aggression, carried a bit more of a threat.

"It was a close game but I'm happy to get the win and finish the season on a high."

Aberdeen manager Clinton Lancaster:

"I thought we played really well in the first half, I thought we controlled the game quite well but I think Spartans were the better team in the second half.

"On the whole the season has been a good one for us but for me I'm just so proud of how the players have played.

"I hope the team can kick on from next season under whoever the new manager is. I wish the players all the best, everybody has certainly made my time really enjoyable."

Image source, SWPL

Hamilton Accies manager Robert Watson:

"I think the performance showed the magnitude of the game, Montrose could play with a bit of freedom.

"Ultimately we didn't play well enough to get something from the game. That's not the players not trying, we just didn't do enough to get the win and that's football sometimes.

"In my eyes the players aren't failures, they've given everything. From where we were at the start of the season to take it to the last game players deserve enormous credit."

Montrose manager Craig Feroz:

"It was a bit unexpected but it's elation now and I think we deserve a place in the SWPL1.

"We've learned how to deal with the league much better, it just took us a bit of time to find our feet.

"We'll need to strengthen in the summer because we're losing a few players. If we're going to get better and develop we'll need to spend a bit of money."

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Suzy Shepherd:

"I feel like I'm probably repeating myself from Wednesday night but I felt like we never really got going in the first half.

"There was a lot of pressure on us, we've got a lot of young players and I think they were feeling the pressure a wee bit.

"We did better in the second half but it's a defeat. We didn't want to end with a defeat but there were still positives in the second half."

Motherwell manager Paul Brownlie:

"The players have been on a terrific run, to finish the season with three points as well is a testament to the group.

"Since the turn of the year we've been on an incredible run and I'm delighted for them."

We asked for your thoughts after Celtic clinched their first ever SWPL title thanks to a late goal from Amy Gallacher.

Here's what some of you had to say:

John: Celtic were simply the best, to use a phrase I've heard before. Well done ladies, great result. Cups can be won with a little bit of luck but a league title is won by the best team over a season.

Paul: What a weekend for the whole Celtic family.

Mark: So proud of the team for getting it done this time after last year’s heartbreak, and it's brilliant to become the first club to win the men’s and women’s titles in the same season.

Fernando: Celtic champions. Outstanding during the season; more to come.

It was yet another dramatic final day of SWPL action as Celtic lifted the title for the first time in their history thanks to Amy Gallacher's late winner against Hibs.

What have you made of your side's performance this season? What are your hopes for the next campaign?

Give us your thoughts here.

Image source, SNS

Former Scotland midfielder Leanne Crichton believes injuries have played a huge part in Glasgow City's inability to retain the SWPL title.

City had been hot on the tails of Celtic and Rangers at the top of the table but dropped points against Hibs and Rangers in recent weeks effectively ended any hopes of reclaiming the trophy.

"There's only six or seven points between the top three," Crichton said.

"I think Glasgow City's squad depth has let them down. They've lost key players at significant points in the season.

"They've been without their captain Jo Love, Hayley Lauder has picked up a couple of injuries towards the tail end, Fiona Brown who was a player they probably spent a fair bit of money on to bring her back, they've lost her at the business end of the season.

"If Glasgow City hadn't dropped points against Hibs they'd probably have been a bit better placed to take on Rangers in that midweek game. Injuries have cost them, the size of the squad has cost them and that is something the club will need to look at."

Image source, SNS

Former Scotland midfielder Leanne Crichton expects Celtic to embrace the occasion against Hibs on Sunday, as they look to wrap up their first ever SWPL title.

Elena Sadiku's side are level on points with Rangers heading into the final round of fixtures, but have a vastly superior goal difference, meaning a win would realistically see them crowned champions.

Hibs took points off Glasgow City last week, coming from two goals down to claim a draw, but Crichton expects a much more difficult test on Sunday.

"At Celtic Park, I think the players will be absolutely buzzing," she said.

"You'd think there will be a knock-on effect from the men winning the title as well, there might be a bigger crowd that turns out on Sunday and gets right on board with it.

"Hibs, to their credit, took a point off Glasgow City last weekend but I think playing at Petershill is different than playing at Celtic Park.

"I just think the players will completely embrace it and I don't think Hibs will have enough to put up a challenge.

"Celtic came out the traps flying on Wednesday night against Hearts and put the game to bed within 30 minutes; I would expect the same on Sunday at Celtic Park."

Image source, SNS

Spartans captain Alana Marshall has announced she will retire from football at the end of this season.

The 37-year-old has scored 48 goals in 261 appearances for the club, and has worn the armband throughout her time with Spartans.

"When Sunday comes I will play my last ever game in the SWPL and for Spartans," she said.

"This has not been an easy decision, and one that I have thought long and hard about - I’ve drove myself crazy for a while thinking about it. I have spent 11 fantastic years at this club and made some amazing memories along the way.

"The last few years have been very difficult for me, I have struggled mentally with my illness and have been spinning a lot of plates trying to keep up with the demands of playing in the Premier League.

"I’ve grown up playing football and been really lucky to do what I have for the last 15 years in this league; not a lot of people can say they get to live out their dream.

"I’m now looking forward to spending my Sundays with my little girl, as I feel it’s now her time to lead the way. I got to make her proud, seeing her little face light up when she sees me on the pitch and when she shouts for me is honestly the most amazing feeling."

Image source, SNS

Elena Sadiku has urged her players to enjoy Sunday's game against Hibs at Parkhead.

The Swede's side are top of the table as they prepare to take on the Edinburgh outfit in their final game of the season.

A win effectively clinches the league title for Celtic, given their significantly better goal difference than Rangers.

"We know it's the last game we have but we're very excited because we know what it can mean for us," Sadiku said.

"This game is going to be treated exactly the same as all the others. Everybody knows what the game is going to mean for us.

"We all know what's on the line, we just need to enjoy it as well. We've put ourselves into this position and that's something we should be proud of."

Spartans have confirmed club legend Becky Galbraith will depart at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old striker has made 142 appearances for the Edinburgh outfit, scoring 62 goals.

She played a pivotal role in Spartans' run to the Scottish Cup semi-finals this season, scoring a hat-trick in the 5-0 rout of Livingston in the last eight.

"Leaving Spartans has been a very tough decision," Galbraith said.

"However, I leave with a wealth of unforgettable memories and achievements.

"To the players, staff, and supporters, thank you. You have all helped me to become the player I always wanted to be.

"Nothing is possible without a team of good people. To the Spartans girls, thank you. Keep playing, keep dreaming big, and let’s keep growing the women’s game."

Image source, SNS

Image source, SWPL

The SWPL title race is heading for a dramatic conclusion and you can watch all the final-day drama on the BBC this Sunday.

Leaders Celtic's game with Hibs at Parkhead (14:10 BST) is live on BBC Alba and on the BBC Sport website, app and iPlayer as Elena Sadiku's side attempt to lift the SWPL trophy for the first time.

Second-place Rangers - who are hoping for a Celtic slip-up - host Partick Thistle (14:10) and that match is available to watch on live on the BBC Sport website, app and iPlayer.

There will also be live text commentary from midday on the BBC Sport website and app of all the SWPL action in what will be a decisive day in the top flight, with Hamilton and Dundee United locked in a battle to avoid automatic relegation.

Image source, SNS

Natasha Flint is hoping Celtic can replicate their explosive first-half performance against Hearts when they welcome Hibs in Sunday's title crunch.

Celtic's final game of the season is at Parkhead and a home win will seal the league title for Elena Sadiku's side thanks to their superior goal difference over Rangers.

"It was a massive three points for us [on Wednesday]," said Flint, who scored a double as Celtic raced into a 3-0 half-time lead at Oriam.

"The aim was to get some goals in the first half, we didn't get any in the second but that was okay because we got it over the line in the first.

"We can take that first-half performance into Sunday. We can't take our foot off the gas like we did in the second half.

"I don't think there's any pressure on us at all. We just need to stay calm, stay focused and get the three points we need."

Image source, SNS

Rangers captain Nicola Docherty admits the SWPL title is "Celtic's to lose" after her side failed to dent their rivals' superior goal difference on Wednesday night.

The pair remain level on points going into the final day of the season on Sunday after a Kirsty Howat hat-trick helped Rangers beat Hibs 3-2 while Celtic defeated Hearts 3-1.

Celtic are now 16 goals better off and Docherty said: "We wanted it a little differently, we would rather it was in more our hands.

"It's Celtic’s to lose but we’re going into the final game [against Partick Thistle] to get maximum points and hopefully score some goals.

“I think the girls know that when you represent Rangers there is constant pressure on you to win trophies and that’s what it’s all about.

“Everybody knows what it means to play for Rangers and we’ll be going into the last game making sure that we get the three points.

“From the outside point of view, for the neutrals, it’s exciting that the games have gone to the end of the season. It’s what you want in Scottish football."

Image source, SNS

Elena Sadiku "can't wait" for the final game of the season at Parkhead as Celtic eye the title.

The Swede's side host Hibs on Sunday and are one victory away from lifting their first SWPL trophy.

Celtic, level on points with Rangers, kept their place at the top and enhanced their goal difference to 16 with a 3-1 victory over Hearts at Oriam.

"I'm very pleased with the first half," Sadiku said.

"It's exactly how I want us to play. Some of our football was incredible and I'm so proud of the girls for it.

"We got the job done, the aim for us is always winning games. We just need to focus on what we need to do and we will win games.

"I can't wait [for Sunday] I'm so excited. We all know what the game is about, playing at Paradise, hopefully we can get so much support and have a great day together."

Adam Binnie
BBC Sport Scotland at Meadowbank

Image source, SNS

Jo Potter bemoaned Rangers' inability to cut their goal difference to SWPL leaders Celtic, leaving their title hopes in serious doubt.

Kirsty Howat's hat-trick was enough to secure a 3-2 victory over Hibs but left them 16 goals behind Elena Sadiku's team.

The Old Firm rivals will enter the final day level on points, with Potter feeling Sunday's finale could have been more nervy if Rangers had their shooting boots on.

“We should have cut that goal difference down heftily I think, that’s my frustration right now," said Potter.

“I want to see the stats to see what they come back at, but from own two eyes it was clear that we had a lot of goalscoring opportunities, clear-cut ones as well. I would’ve liked us to have scored more goals.

“I thought it should have been at least four or five at half-time and then that puts you in a different position second half and then who knows? If you cut that goal difference down significantly then it’s all to play for on Sunday.

“The three points are there, we take it down to the final day but I think we could’ve done a better job at denting that goal difference tonight."

Image source, SNS

Clinton Lancaster is "gutted" Aberdeen couldn't mark their final home game of his tenure with a win.

Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Dundee United was Lancaster's last at home as he prepares to step down from his role as head coach.

"I'm gutted to not get the win, not just for my last home game but for some of the players that came in," he told club media, external.

"The girls have been phenomenal all season so I can't fault them.

"We haven't lost the game, we've picked up a point and we'll look ahead to the next game and hopefully go out with a bang."