Scottish Women's Football

Image source, SNS

Elena Sadiku says the Champions League victory over Gintra is the reason she came to Celtic.

The Glasgow club defeat their Lithuanian opponents 2-0 to book their spot in the second round of the European competition.

"I think we should have executed [the game] better," Sadiku told CelticTV, external.

"I think they got momentum, especially when we missed the penalty. We should have exploited it better.

"In the second half we created more chances to score and kill the game. We came here for a reason and we did exactly what we were supposed to do.

"I came here to be more successful with the club and build something bigger, stronger and dream for something Celtic stands for.

"This is a great step in what we want to do and now it's just about looking ahead."

Image source, SNS

Spartans' trip to Montrose will be live on BBC Alba as Jack Beesley's side search for their first points of the season.

Kick-off for that one is 16:10 BST and it can also be viewed on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport Scotland website and app.

There will also be live text commentary of the 13:00 BST kick-offs on the BBC Sport Scotland website and app.

Celtic fans, what did you make of the performance in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Gintra? How pleased are you with the result? Do Elena Sadiku's side have what it takes to make it into the last 16?

Give us your thoughts here, external.

Image source, Getty Images

Rangers boss Jo Potter says their Champions League defeats to Arsenal and Atletico Madrid makes them even hungrier for the SWPL title.

Potter's side were on the end of a 6-0 defeat by the WSL side before Saturday's 3-0 loss to Atletico.

"We're probably a little bit more disappointed than we were the other night [against Arsenal] because I thought we were in complete control for large parts of the game," Potter told RangersTV, external after the Atletico defeat.

"You look at the whole performance and we're probably pleased with it but it was 3-0 so we're not pleased with it.

"The result really dampens the mood because I think there was an opportunity for us to get some goals and win the game and we ultimately didn't.

"It's really important we take this into our league campaign, we've shown we can compete against a really strong Atletico team but we've also got to remember this at the back end of the season as well.

"Remember how it felt in these games. It'll be important for us in the long run because it just makes you hungry to want to get here again and produce performances and results that better this.

"It definitely won't derail us, that doesn't even come into question. That just makes us even more hungry to go and try and win the league this time."

Image source, Getty Images

Caroline Weir scored twice on her return for Real Madrid in their 5-0 victory over Espanyol.

The midfielder also grabbed an assist on her first start since rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament.

The Scotland international has been sidelined for almost a year with the injury picked up in the nations league match against Belgium back in September 2023.

She returned to competitive action for club Real and scored two goals in the space of 20 minutes to help the Spanish giants to a huge victory.

Watch the best of the action as Hearts thump their city rivals to win the Capital Cup in their SWPL derby clash at Easter Road.

Image source, SNS

Elena Sadiku has full confidence her Celtic side can defeat Gintra on Saturday and book a spot in the Champions League play-off.

Celtic came from behind to beat KuPs 3-1 earlier this week and progressed to the final of the qualifier.

Lithuanian side Gintra defeated Anenii Noi to book their spot against the Glasgow side.

"We're in a pretty good place, we're confident, happy and excited," Sadiku said.

"I think the final message will be go all in.

"I think if we look at the opposition, with all due respect, I'm more confident in my players than the opposition."

Defender Caitlin Hayes is also hoping the team can go on to European success this season.

"There's no competition like the Champions League," she said.

"It's something every little girl and boy dreams of playing in, it's a competition like no other.

"It's a competition that the men's side have done very well in the past, the star that sits above the crest and that's something the women's side wants to emulate."

Image source, SNS

Celtic defender Chloe Craig faces an "extended" spell on the sidelines after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament, the club have confirmed.

The 31-year-old played in Celtic's goalless draw with Hibs last Sunday before suffering the injury "at the beginning of this week".

Craig, who will undergo surgery, remained in Scotland to be assessed by a specialist while her team-mates travelled to Lithuania for their Champions League qualifying games.

"Everyone at Celtic would like to wish the very best to Chloe and will be supporting her through her recovery and return to action," the club added.

Image source, SNS

Former Scotland goalkeeper Gemma Fay says Hibs have made the most impressive start of any SWPL team as they look to go top with derby victory over Hearts on Friday night.

Grant Scott's side are second in the table - two points behind Rangers - and remain undefeated after five games, having most recently held Celtic to a goalless draw at the Excelsior.

"Hibs for many a season now have been the most frustrating team that I've watched," Fay told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Inconsistency has been their thing. They've been flattering to deceive, they've brought in new players every single season, they'd play great one week and the next week you wouldn't recognise what that team was.

"Hibs' start to the season has been the best of any team in that league, regardless of what Rangers have done with goals.

"The thing that opened people's eyes was when Hibs drew with Celtic, I think that was a bit of a wake-up call.

"With both Celtic and Rangers not playing because they're in Champions League action, this is a real opportunity for Hibs.

"They're currently undefeated, to go for five wins out of six and open up a little gap at the top of the table which, before the start of season, nobody would say that was happening.

"This is a really exciting match tonight and I'm really intrigued to see how it goes."

Hearts head coach Eva Olid and Grant Scott hope to narrow the gap on 'big three' Celtic, Rangers and Glasgow City this season.

Watch Hibs v Hearts tonight on the BBC Sport website, app and iPlayer at 19:35 BST.

Image source, Malcolm Mackenzie/Hearts FC

Hearts midfielder Eilidh Shore is excited to be part of her first Edinburgh derby on Friday night, live on the BBC Sport website, app and iPlayer (19:35 BST).

The 22-year-old was one of three players to make the switch from Aberdeen to Hearts this summer as Eva Olid revamped the Gorgie squad.

"It’s been different for me but a big step I have been looking for," Shore said of her move to Tynecastle.

"Settling in has been made easy by the players, with all the new girls and the staff. We are starting to build those relationships now.

"You have seen over the past few seasons just how competitive the derbies are with the number of fans that come to these games along with the publicity it gets.

"I think it's really positive for the women's game here in Scotland and it's really exciting to be part of it."

Image source, SNS

Grant Scott says his Hibs players are "buzzing" for Friday night's Edinburgh derby at Easter Road as they look to continue their strong recent record over Hearts.

Of last season's four meetings, Hibs won three, and are currently unbeaten five games into the new campaign after holding champions Celtic last weekend.

"There is a buzz in the training camp from Monday to Friday going into the game from the player side," head coach Scott said.

"They know it’s a big one and it's at the stadium.

"Our preparations remain the same, trying to pick out stuff about our opponents and getting that to the group and practise how to exploit that when we can.

“From coaches and managers it doesn't change at all."

We asked for your views on Celtic's 3-1 Champions League qualifying victory over KuPs and Rangers' 6-0 defeat by Arsenal.

Here's what some of you said:

Celtic fans

Pierre: In the end the girls deserved the win as after a shaky half an hour they got on top and dominated for the next 60 minutes plus all extra time. Big change in momentum when Elena Sadiku brought on Saoirse Noonan and Katherine Loferski. I hope those two start on Saturday and also more pace out wide with Jenny Smith and Chloe Agnew, Maria McAneny or Amy Richardson.

Davie: I wish Saoirse had got a runout against Hibs. We played good football and created decent chances, but I think we were missing an out-and-out striker. Great result today. I'd love to see us get into the group stage.

Rangers fans

Marshall: I feel the second-half "collapse" was primarily due to chasing a goal, rather than continuing to maintain a strong defensive position and waiting for a chance to go level. As much as I love the SWPL, I think it also shows a comparison between both leagues standards at the moment. I feel Celtic would have suffered in a similar way, though I'm sure that with time and investment, things will continue to improve.

Ross: It was always going to be a tough task against a top team like Arsenal. I was hoping Rangers might get a couple of goals to help pick up their spirits.