Scottish Women's Football

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Elena Sadiku is demanding an improved Celtic performance against Motherwell on Wednesday night despite opening the season with back-to-back wins.

The defending champions edged out Glasgow City 1-0 on Sunday thanks to Chloe Craig's second-half penalty, but the head coach and her squad still ended up frustrated.

"Hopefully we go into this one even more hungry because, yes, we did win the game but we were not very happy with the performance," Sadiku told club media, external.

"I know the girls were not happy with the performance and that's something we need to bounce back from.

"Hopefully we can put in a good performance and get the win.

"It's no secret how much I love the fans and I think that's something I look forward to every game, showing up, trying to win and make our fans happy because they deserve the best and we just need to try and do it every time we show up."

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After Sunday's narrow defeat to Celtic, things don't get any easier for Glasgow City with a visit from early table-toppers Hearts on Wednesday night.

Last season Eva Olid's side finished fourth, 19 points behind City in third, and are hoping to go one better this time.

Wednesday night is the first meeting between the sides this season and the first chance for Olid to see how her new-look team matches up to one of the 'big three'

"I think it will be interesting to see how Hearts do because it'll be their biggest test," Scotland captain Rachel Corsie told the BBC's Behind the Goals podcast.

"City will be looking to bounce back, they have a point to prove and I think they'll be feeling a bit down about the weekend.

"I know when you go through that experience the best thing is a midweek game so they'll be right up for it."

Leanne Crichton and Scotland captain Rachel Corsie discuss the comments of Partick Thistle boss Brian Graham, who said "I just don't think we get that in the men's game" after midfielder Courtney Stewart waited three hours for an ambulance following the head injury she sustained against Rangers.

Listen and subscribe to the Behind The Goals podcast on BBC Sounds

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SWPL/Colin Poultney

In a surprising turn of events, Aberdeen are managerless just two games into the new season following Colin Bell's abrupt exit.

Bell, the former Leicester player and South Korea Women's team manager who had led Eintracht Frankfurt to the 2015 Women's Champions League final, took the job in the summer after Clinton Lancaster returned south having secured the club's SWPL safety with a seventh-place finish.

Bell's arrival was a major coup for the north east club. But the Dons were shorn of three of their best players - last season's SWPL top goalscorer Bayley Hutchison, midfielder Eilidh Shore and defender Jess Broadrick - who all joined Hearts. Hutichson, and her goals, in particular are a major loss.

Bell brought in new signings, ex-Liverpool midfielder Holly McEvoy and former Glasgow City and Leicester youth winger Miriam MacLean among them, but they do not look to be of the same calibre as the departed trio and the Dons' start to the season has been a nightmare.

The 11-0 opening defeat to Rangers was followed by a 7-0 loss to Hibs on Saturday and Aberdeen now are without a manager once again, with Bell departing because of "personal reasons".

In a season where three teams will be relegated, getting the next appointment right is more crucial than ever.

Stuart Glennie, who is youth academy director, will lead an interim coaching team and oversee Wednesday's match at home to Montrose.

With the Dons boasting a youthful squad, could he be the ideal man to take the reins for the rest of the season?

Or would looking for someone with experience in the Scottish top flight be the best next step for the club?

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Colin Bell has stepped down as Aberdeen Women manager for "personal reasons" after two games in charge, the club have confirmed.

Stuart Glennie, who is youth academy director, will lead an interim coaching team and oversee Wednesday's match at home to Montrose.

Aberdeen lost their SWPL opener 11-0 at home to last season's runners-up Rangers and followed that up with Sunday's 7-0 loss at Hibernian.

Former South Korea women's boss Bell was appointed in June. The ex-Leicester City player managed FFC Frankfurt to the Champions League title in 2015.

Aberdeen said in a statement: "The process to find a permanent successor is already under way and a further update will be provided in due course.

"The club would like to thank Colin for his hard work over the summer and wish him well in the future."

We asked you for your thoughts on the second weekend of SWPL action.

Here's what you had to say:

Richard: Another good win for Hearts. To score five in such a compact box was impressive. Spartans were very well organised and determined not to give anything away cheaply. The new recruits are settling in nicely. City on Wednesday will be the real yardstick of improvement for Eva's side.

City played very well against Celtic and were unlucky not to get anything from the game. Cracker in store!

David: Great to see Hearts make such a positive start to the season with the new players seeming to have settled in quickly. Big test v Glasgow City on Wednesday - fingers crossed for a good result.

Celtic head coach Elena Sadiku: "I'm delighted with the three points, but not the performance.

"But even by not playing as good as we can, having the fighting spirit to not concede is what it's all about.

"It's about playing the ball faster, trying to create an overload and being braver on the ball. I just felt we weren't really there."

Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross: "I'm disappointed, I thought we came and took the game to Celtic in the first half. We played the way we wanted to play and created chances but unfortunately we just didn't take them today and we've been punished by that.

"We need to be better in front of goal and make sure we take them and get the game finished off."

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Motherwell head coach Paul Brownlie: "I'm delighted to win the game. Performance wise, it wasn't like us in spells.

"Our 3-0 lead at half-time was deserved, in the second half, I don't think we looked ourselves, but the win puts us in a good a place.

Montrose manager Craig Feroz: "It's a difficult one to assess. In the first 20 minutes we had two really good chances, then Motherwell hit us with three goals and we're in a bit of disarray.

"But, I thought we were excellent second half and could have got a point.

"The two quickfire goals gives us confidence for midweek, 100%. The second half has buoyed us a wee bit and we'll be ready for Wednesday."

Rangers head coach Jo Potter: "I was really impressed and pleased with the performance. It's difficult when you get an injury like that after a short time as it can make the game a bit bit-bob-like, but the players did well to get back into it.

"We've got a couple of good league games under our belt before we do go into a tricky Champions League group but we're looking forward to, we want to test yourselves because we've got the squad to do it."

Partick Thistle manager Brian Graham: "We tried something new this week by going 4-3-2-1 to try and force Rangers down the wide areas but Rangers changed shape and it caused problems.

"3-0 at half-time, you're worrying. Going 4-5-1 we frustrated them. My players deserve credit because that could have been anything today, but it just shows you the gap between the top three and the rest - they're miles away.

"Maybe I'm just mad because I think we can get a result against these top three sides, but until my players start believing it, it's not gonna happen."

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Hibernian head coach Grant Scott: "Overall it was a good performance, we certainly improved our efforts in the second half getting a few additional goals, but I also felt we moved the ball much better.

"I hope the couple of wins we've got in the first two games gives us confidence and a bit of belief in the group for what we're doing."

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Hearts manager Eva Olid: "I'm happy. We missed a lot of opportunities that we had to score, but I cannot complain!

"The most important thing for me was we were dominating with the ball and totally controlling the game.

"It's always difficult against Spartans but we are always so motivated."

Spartans head coach Jack Beesley: "I'm disappointed with the outcome with it being a 5-0.

"We knew Hearts would have loads of the ball but we tried to be resolute and frustrate them. For the most part, we did that so that the overriding emotions are disappointment and frustration.

"Hearts dominated the game and thoroughly deserved to win, but from our perspective we felt like we did quite a disciplined job but we've probably just let ourselves down with the nature of goals we've conceded."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Kelsey Daugherty (Celtic): The Celtic goalkeeper made a couple of vital stops especially as Glasgow City piled on the pressure as the match wore on. Played her part in a three big points for Elena Sadiku's side.

Caitlin Hayes (Celtic): An injury time clearance off the line typified her solid defending. As well as that interception, she cleared numerous threats from corners, and was a typical threat offensively.

Chloe Craig (Celtic): The defender kept her cool to score from the spot, as she so often does, earning three huge points for the reigning champions.

Leah Eddie (Rangers): Looks very comfortable playing for Rangers since her move in the summer from Hibs. Had a lot of joy going forward and setting up potential attacks.

Jade McLaren (Montrose): Not part of a winning team this weekend, but her two assists showed great determination to try and get her team back into the match against Motherwell.

Chelsea Cornet (Rangers): Took her goal - Rangers' third - really well to give Jo Potter's side a commanding lead against Partick Thistle. The half-volley was lovely on the eye. The midfelder is building upon her achievements of last season.

Lauren Wade (Hearts): A goal and an assist in a comfortable win for Hearts, she showed every inch of her experience while she was on the park.

Sade Adamolekun (Hearts): Scored a double and was instrumental in another for Eva Olid's side, with an assist. Picked up for last week, adding to her goal tally.

Tegan Bowie (Hibs): Another player who’s started the season well and looks full of confidence. Two goals for her in an impressive win against Aberdeen.

Katie Wilkinson (Rangers): Looks to be enjoying her move to Scotland, doesn't she? After four goals in the opening weekend, she bagged a hat-trick this weekend against Thistle. Her manager has described her as 'special', so far she’s living up to that tag.

Kathleen McGovern (Hibs): Scored her first goal for Hibs from the spot in the big weekend win and then was in a good position to get her second of the afternoon, all while setting one up too.

SWPL fans, what did you make of this weekend's action?

How important do you think Celtic's victory over Glasgow City could prove to be? What about in the relegation battle, who do you think could be going down?

Give us your thoughts here, external.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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This weekend could give us our first clue in where the SWPL title will be heading at the end of the season.

Early days, I know, but the clashes between last season's top three could be decisive come May.

Champions Celtic host Glasgow City on Sunday after both sides opened in commanding style. Celtic thrashed Dundee United 9-0 on flag day at Parkhead while City were 7-0 winners at Montrose.

Where could the difference be made?

The new signings from both clubs are looking sharp.

Winger Sofia Maata had a mightily impressive debut as she scored three of City's goals in her first competitive start for Leanne Ross' side.

Defender Sam van Diemen and attacker Nicole Kozlova were also on the scoresheet, the latter finding the back of the net twice.

Celtic debutants also made an immediate impact. Defender Bruna Lourenco grabbed a goal and an assist, Signe Carstens bagged a goal and new striker Saoirse Noonan hit two.

It wasn't only the new faces who stepped up for Elena Sadiku's side though. Academy graduate Maria McAneny netted a double off the bench while last season's hero Amy Gallacher also got on the scoresheet.

What can previous results tell us?

If recent history is anything to go by, expect a tight contest.

The last meeting between these sides in May was a 2-2 draw. The previous outing saw Celtic narrowly emerge victorious in a 2-1 win and the game before that City took all three points.

In the 2022-23 campaign, Celtic were winners in four of the six meetings. But that was a very different looking Celtic side, and a very different City who went on to claim the league title regardless.

This time round, will Celtic make an early statement of intent in their title defence, or can City upset the champions? Either way, an exciting encounter awaits.

How to follow the weekend action on BBC

You can watch two live SWPL games on the BBC on Sunday.

First up is Rangers v Partick Thistle (14:00 BST), which will be streamed live on the BBC Sport website and app and iPlayer.

Then Celtic v City takes top billing. The game, which kicks off at 16:10, is live on BBC Alba and the BBC Sport website and app and iPlayer.

There will also be live text coverage all five Sunday games from 12:50 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 BBC Scotland.