Scottish Women's Football

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Manager Brian Graham is hopeful Partick Thistle can better last season's sixth-place SWPL finish, but reckons it's a "big ask".

Thistle, who are away to Hearts on Sunday, trail fifth-place Hibernian by a point with four fixtures remaining.

The Petershill side finished sixth last year and didn't win a game post-split.

They travel to Edinburgh on Sunday to face Eva Olid's Hearts side.

"We want to try and finish fifth - one better than last year - but it's still a big ask," Graham said.

"We are under no illusions about the game coming up on Sunday, we know it's going to be a hard game but we have got to take the belief and confidence from the win over Hibs.

"They showed what we are all about the other night, the heart and desire to win.

"Last year we didn't win a game in the top six, I think we've learned from that and got our first victory.

"It is so difficult being in the top six but that is where we want to be. We're there on merit, we've done it really well this year."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Former Rangers midfielder Clare Gemmell says Celtic have the momentum going into Monday's Old Firm derby despite their midweek slip-up.

The sides are level on points in the SWPL title race run-in but Celtic - held 2-2 by Glasgow City on Wednesday night - occupy top spot thanks to being 13 goals better off.

"With the goal difference I think that gives the momentum to Celtic," ex-Scotland international Gemmell said.

"Rangers need to win whereas Celtic could afford to draw and still, because of their goal difference, put pressure on Rangers.

"If Celtic go on to win every game they win the league. That gives them a wee bit of momentum but then the fact Rangers have just beat them in the cup, beaten Hearts and Celtic drew against Glasgow City, it depends how you look at it.

"They have both got positives on their side. I think it depends how each of them allow factors to get into their mind when it comes to Monday."

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Elena Sadiku says she "couldn't care less" about Rangers counterpart Jo Potter's criticism of Celtic's pre-match huddle.

Potter felt Celtic used the huddle as a disruption ploy before last Saturday's Scottish Cup semi-final, which Rangers won 2-0, and said "when you've got to use tactics like that it says more about your mindset".

Now Celtic head coach Sadiku as hit back as the sides - level on points at the top of the SWPL - prepare for Monday's seismic Old Firm derby.

“We always do the same thing before games but I think she just wants to have something to say and be tough about it, so I don’t care what she’s saying," said Sadiku.

"I think she just wants to have something to say. If she thinks that's our mindset then she can because I couldn't care less what she has to say.

"We always do the same thing so I don't know where she got that from. If it's something she wants to focus on, let her focus on it.

"If you look at the previous games we played, look at the huddle, look how much time it takes. If she wants to take issue, make us look bad, I have no idea but if she wants to keep focusing on it she can.

"If that makes her happy to say it, let her say it."

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Celtic head coach Elena Sadiku has been speaking to the media before their huge match against Rangers on Monday.

Here are the key points:

• Sadiku was proud of the "incredible" response and character shown by her side after going a goal down in the 2-2 midweek draw with Glasgow City, especially after last Saturday's defeat to Rangers.

• She's not thinking about what Rangers are doing and is only focused on Celtic going into Monday's game.

• Doesn't care what Jo Potter says after the Rangers head coach criticised Celtic's lengthy huddle. Sadiku says Celtic always do the same thing pre-match.

• Her side are trying to forget Saturday's cup defeat at Hampden, the players weren't as good as they know they can be.

• Kit Loferski could back for the final games but "it doesn't look too bright".

• The Celtic boss is hopeful of new signings soon but is fully focused on the remaining games of the season.

• Although a draw suits Celtic more than Rangers, Sadiku says her team "need to go into every game to win".

• Amy Gallacher has been the best player for Celtic and will be very important for Monday's game.

Rangers forward Lizzie Arnot reacts to the win over Hearts in the Scottish Women's Premier League.

Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross says Celtic's second goal in the sides' 2-2 draw should not have stood after Lauren Davidson was injured in the build-up.

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Glasgow City defender Charlotte Wardlaw praised her side's battling spirit after she netted her first goal of the season to secure a 2-2 draw at leaders Celtic.

It keeps defending champions City six points off the top with four games remaining.

"We dug in deep in the second half," Wardlaw told club media, external.

"We're disappointed to come away with a draw but we're still happy with the effort we put in.

"I was surprised [to score]. I didn't know if I was going to get a goal this season but it is a really good feeling and great to get the point.

"We just need to build on this going into Hibs on Sunday."

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Carla Boyce says Partick Thistle have "nothing to lose" in their remaining top-six fixtures.

Striker Boyce scored twice in Wednesday night's 3-2 win over Hibs that moves Thistle within a point of the Easter Road side in fifth.

"I'm really delighted to get the two goals," she told club media, external.

"The aim was to get the three points and push for that fifth place and I think everyone did really well.

"Playing in the top six is the best, you get the highest standards week in week out. It's really hard but I think we showed [against Hibs] that we deserve to be here.

"We've got nothing to lose, we are the underdogs and I think we've shown that really well this season."

Hibs defender Joelle Murray was frustrated with the goals her side conceded at Petershill Park.

Hibs opened the scoring before conceding an equaliser almost immediately.

"The way we lost the goals, the ball not sticking up the top end of the pitch, our decision-making, our execution; it was just a really disappointing and frustrating evening," Murray said.

“If you’ve played in football for a long time, you know you are always susceptible to being on the back foot after scoring.

"I’m not saying it would’ve been a different game if we went in at half-time 1-0 up, but we would’ve had that momentum and positivity."

Celtic head coach Elena Sadiku says she Is "proud" of her players despite dropping points in the 2-2 draw with Glasgow City that allowed Rangers to move level at the top of the SWPL.

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Rangers manager Jo Potter:

"It was a big win, we knew we had to produce three points, especially after our last result against them.

"But we knew we were coming off a very good result where we could take confidence from the semi-final at the weekend, and yes it was a big three points and extremely pleased with a three goals and a clean sheet.

"We knew we had a job to do, you take an eye off this and can come a cropper, so we needed to make sure we stayed on it and got the three points and got the job done."

Hearts assistant manager Gavin Beith:

"We have a look at the positives, for a long period of the game we were in it.

"We tired and conceded some slack goals towards the end, but were more than happy with our performance.

"They're a top team, they pin you back, but the girls have been excellent."

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Partick Thistle manager Brian Graham:

"We knew we had to take maximum points if we want to try and finish fifth.

"From start to finish the girls were absolutely superb. The reaction to score so quickly after going down was outstanding.

"We were excellent in the second half and probably could have scored more than the two goals.

"Overall our play was phenomenal at times and the players deserve huge credit, now we need to build on that."

Hibs manager Grant Scott:

"It's pretty criminal from us. The girls know they're at their most vulnerable [after they score] and I think we should defend the situation better.

"We were disappointed, we were okay in the first half without being terrific. To take the lead and not see it through to half-time is disappointing.

"We were very reactive rather than thinking ahead, very passive. I can't legislate for these things happening but it's a difficult one to take."

A huge night in the race for the SWPL title as Rangers close in on Celtic with their victory over Hearts as their rivals drew with Glasgow City.

Motherwell and Partick Thistle also recorded wins.

What did you make of your side's performance? How are you feeling ahead of the final few games of the season?

Give us your thoughts here.

Rangers' Rachel Rowe and Kirsty Maclean, Celtic's Amy Gallacher and Hibs' Jorian Baucom are all nominated for the PFA's SWPL player of the year.

But who do you think should take home the title? Is there anyone you feel should have been included?

Give us your thoughts here.

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Elena Sadiku has urged Celtic to bounce back from their Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Rangers as they prepare for another crunch SWPL match.

Celtic lead the race for the title with five games to play and face reigning champions Glasgow City on Wednesday night.

"We know that that was not our best performance," Sadiku said of the 2-0 loss to Rangers at Hampden on Saturday. "We don't want to proceed as that team, so we just need to bounce back as quickly as possible.

"We know the game on Wednesday will be especially important for us. We just need to focus on that game. What happens after is not important right now."

Celtic have been league runners-up on four occasions but have never lifted the SWPL trophy. They currently sit two points above Rangers and six ahead of City.

"It's important to focus on the games and not the situation we're in. It's the first time Celtic are top of the table this late in the season. We need to try and enjoy it and perform as well as we can," Sadiku added.

"City are a strong team. We need to make sure we're 100% because it's a huge game for them as well. They need to get three points too, otherwise it will be a big gap."

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Rangers’ Jo Potter is vying with Brian Graham of Partick Thistle and Hibernian’s Grant Scott be crowned SWPL1 manager of the year.

The trio have been named on the shortlist for the award that is chosen by their peers.

Graham, who is also nominated for men’s Scottish Championship player of the year, steered Thistle to the SWPL Cup final and a top-six place.

Potter, in her first season at the helm, has Rangers chasing a treble after they won the SWPL Cup and set up a Scottish Cup final against Hearts, while Scott has led Hibs to the top six.

Billy Brown, the chairman of the Managers and Coaches Association, said: "I'm pleased to see Brian being so successful with Partick – I don't know how he finds the time to do it all whilst still trying to score goals on a Saturday.

"Grant has been at the forefront of growing women's football for many years and it's great to see him recognised for the good work he does at Hibernian.

"I've been really impressed with what Jo has achieved with Rangers this season, and her nomination is well deserved. To manage a squad competing on multiple fronts and give yourself a chance of a treble takes great skill."

The winners will be announced at the PFA Scotland awards dinner on Sunday night.

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Rachel Rowe says she was "naive" to the "beast" of Scottish football before arriving at Rangers in the summer.

The Wales international has quickly settled into her debut season in Glasgow, earning a nomination for PFA Scotland SWPL player of the year.

But the 31-year-old believes more has to be done to promote the "amazing" game north of the border.

"I did come up a little bit naive to the Scottish league, obviously because it's not as openly televised and on a bigger platform, which is a shame," Rowe said.

"I'm somebody who really wants that going forward, wants people to get on board and give it the platform it deserves because it's an amazing league. If you give it that, it will grow.

"I did put a bit of pressure on myself, coming up and wanting to play well, perform well and show what I can do.

"That didn't come at the start of the season, I had niggles and injuries but I found my feet after a couple of months. I'm just glad I can give something to the team.

"I just think it needs that support. Whether that's sponsorships, whether that's how much you can watch the games because it isn't that broad. I think every game should be available for the public to watch.

"It will grow, but it needs help, support and people to nurture it because it is a beast and it will evolve."

Robbie Boyle
BBC Scotland

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Aberdeen Women's manager Clinton Lancaster wants his players to "make memories" when they take on Montrose in the SWPL at Pittodrie on Tuesday.

The women's team have only played at Pittodrie twice before, and with the club providing free tickets for under 16s, Lancaster wants to inspire any youngsters in attendance.

"Ticket sales have been good and hopefully we get a few walk-ins on the day," he said. "It's a good opportunity for the players and should be a good day.

"The most important thing is the experience. These are the things the players will remember, so hopefully they can make some good memories.

"It's about trying to sell the women's game a bit more, trying to get more people to support the women's team and hopefully some youngsters will go away thinking this can be them in the future."