Scottish Women's Football

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

No prizes for guessing the game of the weekend.

As Rangers and Glasgow City prepare to meet in a top-of-the-table clash, former Scotland captain Gemma Fay believes this season's SWPL is "wide open".

Reigning champions Celtic are already five points between leaders Rangers, but do have a game in hand, while Hearts are keeping pace with the 'big three' in third.

City make the short trip to Ibrox on Saturday to take on Jo Potter's unbeaten side having just suffered one defeat themselves, back on matchday two against Celtic.

Since then, Leanne Ross' team have rediscovered their groove, or as Fay put it on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, they've "reinvented themselves... again".

It's what former serial winners City have to do to keep up with the big-spending Old Firm. Celtic have excelled in cherry-picking the best from the rest in the league - Shannon McGregor from Hibs, Emma Lawton from Partick Thistle and Morgan Cross from Motherwell - while Potter picks up the phone to her old pals south of the border.

Katie Wilkinson is undoubtedly one of, if not the, signing of the season. With 18 league goals by the first week in October, she's already proved her worth and then some. Not only against wounded animals, but she scored what proved to be a crucial penalty in the draw with Celtic and broke the deadlock against stubborn Motherwell last weekend.

That's what City have lacked. They've not had that out-and-out goalscorer who will net 18 in a season, never mind by the October holidays.

But with Brenna Lovera continuing her comeback from a horror torn Achilles injury, Ibrox would be the perfect stage to shoot City right into the heart of the champions conversation.

Image source, SNS

It's another huge weekend in the SWPL and, as usual, we've got you covered.

It all kicks off on Saturday as the top two - Rangers and Glasgow City - meet at Ibrox at 15:00 BST. We'll have full live-text commentary right here on the BBC Sport website and app.

On to Sunday, and the pick of the card see Hearts welcome Celtic at 16:10. You can watch that game live on BBC Alba, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

Plus, all five Sunday matches will be covered with our live-text commentary - starting with the two 13:00 kick-offs, Spartans v Hibs and Montrose v Partick Thistle.

Queen's Park v Aberdeen is at 15:00, while Motherwell v Dundee United is an hour later.

And of course, Jane Lewis will be bringing together all the best bits with Sportscene Highlights on Monday at 19:00 on the BBC Scotland channel.

Image source, SNS

Captain Rachel Corsie insists she will be getting along to watch Scotland as a fan while out injured.

The Aston Villa defender is sidelined until early December after knee surgery and will miss Scotland's upcoming Euro 2025 play-off against Hungary.

Although disappointed to be missing out, the 35-year-old intends to cheer on her team-mates from the stands.

"Since we've known who our opponents were there's been a good anticipation for the games," Corsie said on the BBC's Behind the Goals podcast.

"Everyone has wanted to start the season well because everyone knows there's some big opportunities around the corner.

"That [injury] is really disappointing, I've worked hard to be available for the national team so it's always tough to have to make that phone call to the manager.

"I will still plan to get along to the games and be in the stands for the home games."

Image source, SWPL

Motherwell forward Laura Berry has been named September's SWPL player of the month.

The striker, who also won the award in April last season, started the month at Rangers before joining the Lanarkshire side on loan on 13 September.

Berry scored eight goals in her four appearances across the month, including a hat-trick for Rangers against Dundee United, four goals for Well against Queen's Park, plus a last-minute equaliser against derby rivals Hamilton in the SWPL Cup.

Saoirse Noonan (Celtic), Erin Rennie (Spartans) and Katie Wilkinson (Rangers) were also nominated for the prize.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Boroughmuir Thistle forward Cara Borthwick has won the SWPL 2 award for the first time.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Hbs midfielder Rosie Livingstone admits she "blocked football out" during a frustrating six-month spell on the sidelines with a back injury.

Now the 19-year-old aims to make up for lost time - and she enjoyed an eye-catching return to action last weekend, coming off the bench to score an overhead kick in Hibs' 5-1 win over Montrose.

"It's been tricky," Livingstone said.

"I think over time I just blocked football out. I was very supportive of the girls but it felt more like I was a coach at times rather than a player on the sidelines.

"It was tough, the team have been doing so well and I started to wonder where I would fit into it.

"But it was good for me at the weekend to get back and make sure I'm not too rusty and get a good amount of game time."

We asked for Celtic fans' views after the 2-0 home defeat by Twente on the club's debut in the Champions League group stage.

Here's what some of you had to say:

David: Lots of positives to take away. We didn't look out of place in that company at all. Nat Ross and Emma Lawton were standouts for me.

Robert: Well done girls. Never thought I would see a Celtic women's team win the league, so to win that and qualify for Champions League group stage is brilliant and more than anyone could dream of, apart from the coach.

Chris: It's not just the Scottish refs that aren't up to standard. There were four or five occasions that the ref and the assistant couldn't get whose throw in it was. How Celtic never got a penalty a couple minutes from time amazed me.

Tam: Premature boasting of a super strong squad from Celtic coach was always going to bite her but what an experience for the girls.

Midfielder Natalie Ross says Celtic are "not far away" from competing in the Champions League after a 2-0 home defeat in their group-stage debut at home to Twente on Tuesday night.

Image source, SNS

Celtic can walk away from defeat to Twente "with their heads held high".

That's the verdict of former Scotland and Hibs defender Joelle Murray, who insists Elena Sadiku's side did themselves proud in their first ever Champions League group game.

"They certainly didn't disgrace themselves," Murray told the the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"When you consider the magnitude of the competition, the first Scottish side to qualify for it since it was introduced in 2020-21, I thought they put up a really, really good performance.

"Of course, Twente had the lion's share of the ball, the lion's share of passes within the 90 minutes.

"But Celtic played well. They had their opportunities within the 90, it wasn't as if they approached the game from a negative perspective.

"Nobody likes to get beaten, however I think they can walk away from that with their heads held high."

Were you at Celtic's Women's Champions League game on Tuesday night or following the action from home?

We want your views.

What did you make of the performance? How do you feel about next week's trip to Madrid?

Have your say here, external.

Image source, SNS

Celtic head coach Elena Sadiku: "I've said it to the girls, being in the group stage, being in the top 16 teams, it's a big difference to playing in Scotland.

"They should be confident. There are errors we need to fix.

I don’t know how much[more] people are expecting from us to be in the top 16.

"What we’re doing right now is we’re going to fight. We’ll try to do everything to get as many points as possible.

"In January or in the summer I don’t think anyone expected us to be where we are right now. I think we can really put in a better performance for our next game."

Image source, SNS

For her first start in a Champions League game, former Motherwell striker Morgan Cross didn't look fazed at all.

She caused the Twente backline all sorts of problems and posed a real threat at times.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at ZLX Stadium

Image source, SNS

Fine margins. It is a phrase used often, but with good reason.

That’s all that really separated the Scottish and Dutch champions, with the latter carrying a clinical edge to capitalise on Celtic's brief moments vulnerability.

Centre-back Hayes and goalkeeper Daugherty rarely put a foot wrong at the back but while a miscommunication like the one for the opening goal might not be punished on a Sunday in the Scottish Women's Premier League, it’s a given at this elite level it will be.

Meanwhile, at the other end, Celtic only managed to hit the target with three of their 10 attempts, and those three ought to have been buried.

It’s a tough lesson to take especially ahead of a trip to face Real Madrid next week amid a hectic schedule.

Sadiku will hope Scotland striker Amy Gallacher, who was absent from the squad entirely, will be back in the mix and winger Lucy Ashworth-Clifford, who was deemed not fit enough to come on as a second-half substitute.

Their absence was felt, although summer signings Shannon McGregor, Morgan Cross and Emma Lawton, all of whom were recruited from smaller Scottish clubs, showed they are ready to test themselves at a higher level.

A rare defeat will sting Sadiku and Celtic, as will the fact they missed an opportunity to take points in their easiest Group B fixture on paper, with Madrid and Chelsea still to come.

But there are some positives to take before heading to Spain next week.

Celtic skipper Kelly Clark says the squad were delighted to receive a congratulations message from club legend Henrik Larsson after qualifying for the Champions League.

Listen to commentary and follow live text coverage of Celtic's Champions League opener against Twente on the BBC Sport website and app tonight from 19:45 BST.

Image source, SNS

Celtic must get a positive result in the "difficult" opener with Twente on Tuesday night because it is their most winnable game in the Champions League group stage, says former midfielder Suzanne Lappin.

Elena Sadiku's side will also face Chelsea and Real Madrid home and away in their maiden campaign in women's football's premier club competition.

"It's a difficult fixture, Twente's track record in the Champions League is very decent. " Lappin told BBC Scotland's Behind the Goals podcast.

"If you look at the three opponents it's probably the game they'll have more chance of getting something from. So from Celtic's point of view they need to try and get something from the game.

"Being your home tie, you need to try and win those in any competition and tonight is no different.

"It's going to be really, really tough because there is no easy game at this stage in the Champions League."

We asked for your views on the weekend's SWPL action.

Here's what some of you said:

David: Great to see Hearts doing so well, with a nice blend of youth and experience. Lots of goals being scored in the process - perhaps they could pass on some tips to the men's team!

Richard: Phew! Partick gave us a real battle. Thankfully Hearts scored at important times, the first probably against the run of play. However, slowly Hearts dominated play and the third was important, but despite this Thistle were determined to get on the scoresheet, for pride more than expectation. It is vitally important that Hearts win games like this if we have any hope of keeping up with the top of the league.

Alicia Yates (Spartans): Wasn't overly troubled but was alert when she had to be. Prevented Dundee United with a late chance to ensure her side earned three vital points.

Lauren Doran-Barr (Hibs): Was solid at the back, especially in the first half, but also showed her attacking intent with an assist and an absolute belter of a goal from distance in the 5-1 thumping of Montrose.

Jenna Penman (Motherwell): Although her side conceded two goals in defeat to Rangers, it would have been more but for the backline of which she was key. Had to change positions in the second half to replace Jo Addie and coped well with the switch.

Siobhan Hunter (Hibs): Making her 300th appearance she was her usual calm self at the back for Hibs, especially in the first half when the defence was tested.

Jackie Richards (Hearts): Was pushed further up the pitch in the second half and proved to be a real influence. Her goal was brave and, but for the post, she could have had another in the 3-0 win at Partick Thistle.

Eilidh Shore (Hearts): Grabbed Hearts' second goal at a time when the opposition were causing some problems. Took the game by the scruff of the neck.

Rosie Livingstone (Hibs): The 19-year-old forward was only on the pitch for 12 minutes but is worthy of a place in the TOTW for two reasons. After six months out, she’s battled back to fitness and her goal was a spectacular overhead kick.

Aleigh Gambone (Glasgow City): Plenty of contenders from City's midfield, but the American's goal gives her the edge. It was City’s second and set them on their way to a big win at Aberdeen.

Katie Wilkinson (Rangers): Rangers weren’t at their most fluent but Wilkinson’s persistence paid off. After hitting the bar, she finally grabbed a vital breakthrough for Jo Potter's side, helping them to an important win.

Hannah Jordan (Spartans): Scored both goals in the 2-1 win over Dundee United as Spartans picked up three good points. Always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

Emily Whelan (Glasgow City): Maintained her impressive scoring form with two goals. Such a key player for this City team who are really clicking now.

Image source, SNS

Captain Kelly Clark says Celtic fully deserve to enjoy their history-making debut in the Champions League against Twente on Tuesday night.

The reigning SWPL champions will become the first Scottish side to feature in the group stage when they host the Dutch outfit at New Douglas Park.

"For weeks now the mood's been really good," defender Clark said.

"The win in the second [qualifying] game against Vorskla [Poltava] is probably the peak so far and I don't really think it's dropped since then.

"There's a genuine buzz and on a personal note, I think the girls deserve to have that, they deserve to be as happy as they are right now.

"We know this is going to be six really tough games, but the reality is getting here is a massive achievement.

"So we genuinely deserve to experience this with a smile on our faces and I'll play my part in making sure we're happy."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Elena Sadiku insists there's "no pressure" on her Celtic side as they prepare to face Twente on Tuesday night.

It's the first of six Champions League group stage games for the Glasgow side, who will also face Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Tuesday night's match will also be the first for Celtic with New Douglas Park as their home ground.

"This is the first time we've been here," Sadiku said. "This is the first time we're experiencing the Champions League group stage.

"We know that we are probably one of the lowest, if not the lowest, ranked team in the group stage, so there's no pressure on us. The pressure is coming from us wanting to do well and show that we are a great team.

"The excitement is hopefully the thing that we can push for during the game. You know we want to be here, we want to fight and we want to make sure that we put in a great performance.

"This is a different experience for us and we should be excited. We should be fearless coming into this game as well."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Elena Sadiku has been speaking to the media as Celtic prepare for their Champions League group stage opener against Twente.

Here are the main points from her press conference:

• She said she will be treating the clash as a normal game despite the occasion.

• Adds that coming to Celtic was a "dream come true" and she wants to continue to be successful with the team.

• The squad's confidence has taken a massive boost from their victories over Vorskla Poltava and their midweek draw with Rangers.

• While Sadiku says there is "no outside pressure" on her side given their low competition ranking, they have put pressure on themselves to perform well.

• The Swedish manager is happy to "bring on" the external pressure, though, if it means taking some of it away from her players.

• Says she's "living in a wheel" with the amount of games her side have coming up but is fully focused on putting together a proper game plan for all of their fixtures.