Scottish Women's Football

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Celtic head coach Elena Sadiku says juggling Champions League and domestic demands this season has been "very challenging".

Sadiku credits the club with supporting her request for a bigger backroom staff to help cope with the increased workload.

The Scottish champions are at Stamford Bridge this evening, faced with the daunting task of trying to take their first group-stage point against a Chelsea side featuring Scotland forward Erin Cuthbert.

"Mostly I've learned, especially with this busy schedule - I don't know how many games we’ve had since August but it's a lot - with the structure that we have, with only me and another coach, with all these games, that it's been very challenging," said Sadiku.

"We've got in another coach and we're bringing in another full-time physio. The structure needs to be bigger otherwise it's very tough.

"I've learned a lot about how to manage the staff, how to manage the players, especially when it's always recovery then matchday minus one. We've not been able to train and try to develop individually or collectively.

"It's more about reminding the players about our principles and giving feedback on how to improve. For me at least, it doesn't matter what it says on your back, it's all about how you can control your thoughts.

"The togetherness within the team has been and is going to be very important for us now and for the remainder of the season."

After losing 2-1 at home to Chelsea last week, the odds are stacked against Celtic being able to hold the side currently two points clear at the top of the Women's Super League.

"We want to win. That's our gameplan," Sadiku said.

"I feel like the performances have been growing during the competition so hopefully we can get some points soon enough.

"What I'm expecting is a Chelsea who want to prove they're much better than the last time we played. Our mindset is just to put together a great performance again."

Having battled to a creditable 2-1 home defeat by Champions League powerhouses Chelsea last week, Celtic face a "much tougher" assignment against the Blues at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, says Scotland captain Rachel Corsie.

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"I just think in that moment, you have to hang fire."

It's a split-second decision that is still dictating discourse.

Of course, the big talking point on the Behind The Goals podcast this week was the penalty decision in the Old Firm match.

Celtic's Shannon McGregor was deemed to have clipped Rangers' Charlie Devlin enough to merit a penalty.

There's been plenty analysing of it, and now Scotland defender and captain Rachel Corsie has had her say too.

"When I saw it live I was like, aye, definitely," the Aston Villa centre-half said.

"Then, on a replay, there isn't much contact. There's a little bit, but you go risk v reward. I think Shannon thinks she's getting there, otherwise she wouldn't go for it, but even if she had, she's probably only getting a toe to it.

"I just think in that moment, you have to hang fire and recover if you're McGregor.

"But for Devlin, if you're just about to receive the ball and someone nicks you like that, I think that's being smart. I know it's a fine line, I know some people call that cheating but I think it's game intelligence, there."

Former team-mate and friend Leanne Crichton concurred with Corsie... just.

"Probably just a penalty, and I know that's going to cause debate because I'd describe it as soft," the former Scotland midfielder added.

"But I think it would have been difficult for the referee not to give it, even if he was given the opportunity to review it.

"When you're the defending player and you come in almost wrong side, and there's any sort of contact, and you clearly don't win the ball, you're running the risk, you're walking a tight line."

Our Behind The Goals hosts think the right decision was reached, but do you?

Click play to watch the incident above and make up your own mind.

Iona Ballantyne
BBC Sport Scotland

Jenna Fife (Rangers): An integral part of a huge Old Firm victory. Came up with a massive save to deny Emma Lawton late on and make sure all three points went to Rangers.

Emma Lawton (Celtic): Has been an excellent addition to the Celtic defence. Despite defeat against Rangers, Lawton sent a superb cross to Caitlin Hayes for the initial equaliser, came close a number of times and had a big chance saved late on.

Chelsie Watson (Motherwell): As Motherwell and Partick Thistle continue the race for top six, Watson was an important part of the defensive line to make sure the home side didn’t get any more in the back of the net. A draw keeps Motherwell in the top half of the table.

Stacey Papadopoulos (Hibernian): Defended well in the Edinburgh derby victory. The Australian's perseverance throughout the 90 minutes helped create the winning goal and narrow the gap on Hibs' city rivals.

Chelsea Cornet (Rangers): Came off the bench for her first match since an injury lay-off stretching back to August. Crowned her comeback with a brilliant half-volley to secure all three points for Rangers in a crucial Old Firm win.

Hannah Jordan (Spartans): Has been impressive all season and was a big threat in the win over Montrose. Scored her first hat-trick of the season and could easily have netted more.

Kirsty Maclean (Rangers): A huge part of Rangers' midfield which helped to ensure a first league win over Celtic in more than a year. Made an impact across the whole park.

Hayley Lauder (Glasgow City): Instrumental in midfield and scored a brace in a very comfortable victory over Queen's Park.

Tiree Burchill (Partick Thistle): Scored an incredible equaliser following a lovely bit of play and put in a big shift in the 1-1 draw with Motherwell.

Nicole Kozlova (Glasgow City): Netted a fantastic hat-trick and set Lauder up for one of her two goals. Big part of a big win to keep Glasgow City top of the table.

Emily Kraft (Aberdeen): Pivotal in the comeback win over Dundee United. Her cross to Francesca Ogilvie set up the first goal and Kraft's late winner earned the Dons an important third victory of the season.

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Celtic assistant coach David Haley: "I'm a little bit disappointed with our first half, especially in terms of duels. We tried to address that at half-time, be that bit more aggressive and on the front foot and I think we did that.

"We wanted to come out firing and put Rangers on the back foot but it just wasn't meant to be.

"There's still plenty of games to go so there is nothing to be worried about in terms of our league position at the moment."

Rangers head coach Jo Potter: "We're super pleased. We felt like we let ourselves down in the last fixture so we knew we needed to make sure we didn't make the same mistakes this time around. We handled that pressure and deserved the three points.

"We knew there would be a buffer after this game, but we can't get carried away. There are other teams around us now who can start challenging the top three spots - I don't think they're nailed on. That all makes for a better spectacle."

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Hearts head coach Eva Olid: "We didn't deserve to win, but probably didn't deserve to lose either, it was a draw game. It was not a good game of football.

"We had the possession but they had more chances. We committed mistakes we don't usually commit.

"I had confidence that mentally we were ready, but from the first minute I thought we looked nervous. We coped at Easter Road well, with no pressure but today it looked like we had pressure."

Hibernian head coach Grant Scott: "I put a bit of pressure on the girls today by saying to them, 'look at the results elsewhere you know a three point victory puts us in the mix'.

"We said that at the start of the game before we came out and the girls have taken that on. They've handled the pressure and they've won the game, so I'm delighted with them.

"I just hope we take confidence from results and performances like this where we've had to dig deep and manage the game late, get the winner late and see it through."

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Queen's Park manager Craig Joyce: "Leanne has built a strong unit, they're a fantastic team. First half, we were not at the races, we maybe showed them too much respect. Second half, we were much better so I'm proud of the way we massively improved.

"These games aren't going to define us, but what we can do is show our character and we done that.

"Everyone expects us to fail, but we have a mentality where we don't want that to happen."

Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross: "I'm delighted with the way we started the game and scored some nice goals in the first half.

"Credit to Queen's Park, they came out and made it very difficult for us. They defended deep so there wasn't much space to play.

"We got a lot of minutes for players who haven't been playing recently, so that was good to see."

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Partick Thistle manager Brian Graham: "We didn't start the game well, we were waiting for Motherwell to score. Second half, though, we were much better and either team could have won it, so I think a draw is a fair reflection.

"It's always a competitive game against Motherwell, we're two evenly-matched sides.

Motherwell manager Paul Brownlie: "I'm disappointed not to win today, I thought we were very good and dominant. We were really comfortable and started well.

"To come here and get a point against a side who were top six last season speaks volumes, but I'm disappointed not to take the three points. I thought in the second half we were the only team on the front foot and looking to win the game."

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Dundee United head coach Suzy Shepherd: "A game of two halves, I don't think there was much between the teams at all.

"The first half I thought we did a lot of good and positive things. The second half we were a little bit flat and a few individual errors cost us today."

Aberdeen manager Scott Booth: "We battled really hard. We wanted to be better in possession than we were today, we worked a lot on that this week and I felt that it just didn't click for us.

I felt like we made some poor decisions in possession and we should have been able to keep the ball better. We talked about that at half-time and I felt like we got a good reaction from the players in the second half. We definitely kept the ball better."

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Spartans head coach Jack Beesley: "Absolutely delighted with the win. We knew how hard a game it was going to be, but I thought the girls were outstanding.

"I think the 3-0 is deserved and overall, it's a really, really positive today.

"Hannah Jordan has been superb all season. She's so selfless in her play so I'm so pleased for her. Three great finishes.

"We're definitely not thinking about top six, but it's important for us to beat the teams around us."

Montrose goalkeeping coach Richard Wallace: "Very disappointing, there wasn't much in it.

"We had a few chances, it was a scrappy game but we've just got to move onto next week and keep going.

"It's a big thing not having the gaffer on the bench."

Watch highlights from the SWPL as Rangers beat Celtic in a five-goal thriller.

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Were you at any of the matches on Sunday or following the action from home? Either way we want to hear your views on the weekend's action.

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Sunday marks the second meeting of the season between Edinburgh rivals Hearts and Hibernian.

Grant Scott's Hibs side will be desperate to right the wrongs of the 4-0 loss they suffered at Easter Road earlier this term.

This weekend, it is Hearts' turn to host.

"Disappointment is the only word I can use," Hibs boss Scott said when reflecting on that four-goal defeat.

"We strongly believe we didn't get anywhere close to the level we can and Hearts, to their credit, took full advantage.

"Hopefully we won't see a repeat of that this weekend."

Meanwhile, Hearts will be hoping for a repeat of that game, an occasion manager Eva Olid described as "so special".

"But this time to win here, in our own stadium, would be even more special," she added.

Prior to that meeting in September, the sides had been pretty closely matched.

Last season, Hibs won three of the four games with scorelines of 2-0, 2-1 and 1-0. Hearts won the other match 2-0.

Since then, the pair have made use of one another's squads with considerable back and forth transferring during the summer window.

Kathleen McGovern and Ciara Grant moved from Hearts to Hibs, while Naomi Powell moved in the other direction.

Hearts have had the better start to the season, though, and currently sit third in the top flight, joint on points with Rangers and only one off leaders Glasgow City.

Hibs are currently fifth, four points behind their Edinburgh rivals, three behind Celtic and five off top spot.

They have already taken points off last season's top two having held both Celtic and Rangers to draws so far this season.

They are also in the quarter-finals of the SWPL Cup, where they will face Aberdeen for a spot in the final.

Ones to watch

Eilidh Adams and McGovern have been flying for Hibs in recent games, with the latter netting a hat-trick in a 4-1 cup victory over Partick Thistle.

She was kept pretty quiet last time out, but up against her old club again she is one to keep an eye on.

Hearts have been scoring goals from all over the pitch, but Bayley Hutchison (last season's SWPL top goalscorer) is one to watch.

How to follow on the BBC

The match kicks off at 16:10 GMT and is live on BBC Alba, as well as the BBC Sport website, app and iPlayer.

There will also be live text of coverage of all six Sunday games from 11:50 on the BBC Sport website and app.

And on Monday night, watch all the goals and best of the weekend SWPL action on Sportscene at 19:00 on the BBC Scotland channel.

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Rangers head coach Jo Potter expects more teams to sustain an SWPL title challenge this season and says it is "what the league needed".

Potter's side were pipped to glory on goal difference by Celtic last term, with the Old Firm finishing nine points clear of fellow 'big three' side Glasgow City, while Hearts were a further 19 back in fourth.

But 12 games into the new campaign, Hearts are just a point off leaders City and Hibernian are also still in the mix, with the top five clubs separated by just five points.

As she prepares for Sunday's derby meeting with Celtic, Potter said: "I think after we played City at Ibrox, I said I don't think that it's going to be as widespread as what it has been in previous years.

"You look at Hearts and Hibs and the improvements they've made. We always knew it was going to be a little bit tighter and it's what the league needed in all honesty.

"We needed more teams pushing and and having a say on what this league looks like and the title.

"It's all for the greater good of the league and I think that's why sometimes you've got to look at results and previously dropped points, a couple of points here and there might have been really detrimental, but with people taking points off everyone it's been a lot closer this year.

"There could be a little bit more leeway but we still want to make sure we're doing what we can do and get our noses ahead where we can.

"So it will be tougher this year but I always thought that each team was going to improve."