Scottish Women's Football

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Midfielder Jo Love has signed a one-year contract extension with Glasgow City.

Love, 38, first arrived at the club back in 2011 and established herself as a key member of City's hugely successful squad, winning 11 SWPL titles, six Women's Scottish Cups and four SWPL Cups.

Still Scotland's most capped outfield player, she featured in numerous Women's Champions League campaigns.

"It was an easy decision at the end of the day," Love said.

"I had shown an interest in wanting to stay at Glasgow City and they’ve been more than willing to extend my contract.

“I wanted to be surrounded by the right people and here is the exact place for that.

"The fact that we play good football and aspire to be serial winners is important but first and foremost it’s about what the club believes in and they believe in me as well.

"I’ve got a deep rooted association with the city that I’m looking forward to continuing."

Head coach Leanne Ross added: "Jo’s contract extension is great news.

"Her record at the club more than speaks for itself but probably doesn’t quite do justice to the impact she has made both on and off the pitch.

"To have someone with her expertise and leadership on the pitch and in our dressing room is huge, she is a born winner and her competitive mentality is infectious amongst the group."

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Celtic have signed Irish forward Saoirse Noonan from English side Durham.

The forward becomes Elena Sadiku's sixth summer addition, putting pen to paper on a three-year deal in Glasgow.

Noonan has also gained experience with Cork City and Shelbourne in her homeland and has been capped three times by the Republic of Ireland.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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So, Scotland now know who stands between them and a place at next summer's European Championships in Switzerland.

After sailing through their Group B2 qualifying campaign, the Scots knew they would be seeded for Round One of the play-offs taking place later this year.

Earlier on today they were drawn against Hungary - an appealing draw for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, the travel, and therefore recovery. Due to the tight turnaround in fixtures - the first leg is on Friday, with the second leg on Tuesday - Pedro Martinez Losa and his side will be delighted to avoid a trek to Azerbaijan or Turkey.

A shorter trip to Hungary, one they took just last month when they played Israel, will allow for a recovery day on Saturday, before attention turns to the home tie at Hampden.

Secondly, the Scots have a decent record against Hungary in recent times.

Three years ago they were in the same qualification group for the 2023 World Cup, and Scotland twice came out on top.

Add in that Hungary finished third in Group B1 with two wins, one draw and three defeats, there will be plenty of optimism among the Scotland ranks they can negotiate their way into Round Two.

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From excitement to revenge.

Should Scotland get by Hungary, they'll then face either Montenegro or Finland, and if it's the latter, there would no need to get the girls hyped up for it.

Finland, managed then by former Scotland head coach Anna Signeul, ended the Scots' hopes of reaching Euro 2022 with a 1-0 win at Easter Road back in 2020.

Since then, they've faced each other twice.

Last summer, Scotland won a friendly 2-1; Caroline Weir marked her 100th cap with a goal and Emma Watson netted her third international goal in four games. Both are still out with ACL injuries, but they will be pushing to make the play-offs.

The Finns also pipped Scotland on penalties to edge this year's Pinatar Cup, but the Scots have improved drastically since then.

Clean sheets are being kept, goals are being scored and smiles are back on faces.

There will no doubt be a few grins looking at these games, knowing Scotland have a serious chance of dining once again at Europe's top table.

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Captain Rachel Corsie is delighted that Scotland have restored "pride" with a storming run to the Euro 2025 play-offs.

The Scots secured promotion to Nations League A and will be seeded in Friday's Euros play-off draw after finishing top of their qualifying group.

They won five out of six qualifiers, the only dropped points coming in a draw away to Serbia.

"I can't remember the last time we had five wins in a row and went six games unbeaten," Corsie told the BBC's Behind the Goals podcast.

"It's what we wanted to do but it's not easy in international football and it's a long time since we've had these feelings.

"I think the team has stepped up. To finish the group in a really confident manner with two good results and two good performances, it was an enjoyable experience.

"The Nations League was difficult but defensively we exposed ourselves too often. "e wanted to try and put a little bit of focus on that and take a bit of pride back and I think we did that."

Erin Cuthbert is relishing the return of Real Madrid midfielder Caroline Weir from an ACL injury for Scotland's Euro 2025 play-off in October.

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Aberdeen have completed a triple signing as they prepare for the upcoming SWPL season.

Defenders Niamh Noble and Nicola Jamieson and goalkeeper Megan Sidey have made the switch to the north east.

Noble joins the Dons from Glasgow City having spent last season on loan at Dundee United.

Jamieson and Sidey also make the move from United.

"I’m delighted to further bolster the squad with the arrivals of Niamh, Nicola and Megan," head coach Colin Bell told club media, external.

"All three have SWPL experience under their belts and will add to the blend of experience and young, emerging talent we have within our squad.

"I’m sure all three will excel in this new environment and I look forward to seeing their continued development and contribution in the season ahead."

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Erin Cuthbert says now is the time for Scotland to "step up" after winning promotion back to Nations League A and earning seeded status for Friday's Euro 2025 play-off draw.

Pedro Martinez Losa's side finished top of their Euro 2025 qualifying group after Kirsty Hanson's goal secured a 1-0 win over Serbia on Tuesday night.

The victory means the Scots are back in Nations League A having been demoted to League B last time out after failing to win any of their six games.

"From here on in it gets harder," Chelsea forward Cuthbert said.

"The opposition gets harder, the pressure gets harder. Now it’s time for us all to step up and it’s about how we handle pressure.

"There’s going to be moments where we need to sit in and defend for our lives and there’s going to be moments where we have to be really clinical because we may not get as many chances as we’ve had in this campaign.

"We’re going to have to be a really ruthless Scotland and front-footed as well. We do best when we high press teams.

"We don’t do well defending our own goal, we don’t have a team that wants to sit in and defend, we have front-footed players so whoever we play we need to impose our game on them."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Firhill Stadium

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Job done. Every job done.

Play-offs secured, undefeated campaign and promotion to League A confirmed.

Not without another challenge at Firhill with Serbia, as expected, getting up into Scotland's face but as the players and staff have said post-match, it's the sort of attitude they'll come against later in the year.

Martinez Losa's side had to dig deep and defend more than they have done in the four games against Slovakia and Israel respectively, and did so fairly soundly.

There was the odd scary moment, but given the time of season for the bulk of these players, a little slowness can be expected.

There was no such trait in the celebrations after the final whistle, though, which shows how morale-boosting this unbeaten campaign has been.

This squad are in a far better place than they were at the beginning of the year, on and off the pitch.

The mood is different, the togetherness is even more evident and the confidence is brimming.

Six games, five wins, one goal conceded. Bring on the play-offs.

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Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa: "We have a run that not many teams have in Europe at the moment.

"We want to encourage the fans to connect with the team. It has been a long time for us to sing with the fans.

"It was about fighting for the future of the women’s game. More than the outcome of this group, it is about the ultimate ambition is to make fans identify with this team."

And the Scotland manager also believes his side are better placed now to cope with the play-offs than they were two years ago when they headed into the World Cup play-offs, a run that ended with defeat to the Republic of Ireland at Hampden.

"100% [we are in a better place]," he said. "100%. The mentality is different. We know there are areas we need to improve to reach the next level.

"What we expect now is the draw. We celebrate now and then we will prepare for the first play-off. We have to keep the feelings on the floor. It is a good moment for the players to feel proud.

"The last three or four games we have shown we are at a good level. We believe we can beat everyone at this moment.

"We knew how difficult it was going to be and Serbia were the hardest opponents in League B and they proved that.

"The game was much more tactical than anything. We felt it was our opportunity after a run of good results and our objective was to take the group to the next level.

“I am so pleased for the group. They give everything in every game and every camp."

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Scotland ended their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign unbeaten after a 1-0 win over Serbia secured promotion to the top tier of the Nations League.

Both sides had already booked their places in the play-offs for next summer’s tournament in Switzerland, but the top spot and undefeated tag was up for grabs.

Kirsty Hanson’s close-range finish at Firhill ensured it was Pedro Martinez Losa’s side who win Group B2 and will be seeded in Friday's Euro play-off draw.

Read the full report

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Reaching 50 caps for Scotland is one of Kirsty Smith’s biggest achievements in football, the 30-year-old has revealed.

West Ham defender Smith could win cap number 55 should she feature on Tuesday against Serbia, the team she reached the half century of international appearances against in April.

The former Hibernian and Manchester United defender made her Scotland debut back in October 2014.

"It was a really big achievement for me personally,” she said. "It’s taken me a while.

"It’s something that growing up you would never have thought would happen, so to actually reach 50 was probably one of my biggest achievements, and I am very proud of that."

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Pedro Martinez Losa says the decision to play Scotland’s final Group B2 game with Serbia at Firhill will help the team “connect with the fans”.

Scotland have played all their recent home qualifiers at the 52,000 capacity Hampden Park, though the crowd was just 3,127 against Slovakia in April while June’s win over Israel was played behind closed doors.

The Spaniard hopes Firhill’s smaller capacity can help harness a better atmosphere as his side bid to stay top of the group.

“That was one of the reasons for moving away from Hampden, was to connect with the community, to give all the Scotland fans an opportunity to connect with the team,” he said.

“So I think we’re going to have that part on our side tomorrow and give us the last push, especially in July when the energy levels are not that big.

“I think the behaviour of the players the other day in terms of mental resilience and commitment was very big, and it will be the same tomorrow.

“You want to feel the energy of the fans and when it’s a smaller stadium it’s more full, then you can feel that. We don’t say enough how important that support is for us.

"We have all seen moments in the men’s Euros where everything is decided in key moments when the players are at the limit. And in that one minute, one substitution can make an impact, that one player can make an impact, but also the fans can make an impact.

“Hopefully we can inspire everybody to follow us, not just in a major tournament but in the future games.”

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Defender Abbie Cusack and midfielder Summer Christie have become the first Dundee United players to sign part-time pro contracts.

Cusack, 20, spent last season on loan with United and Christie, 20, is entering her third season with the club.

Manager Suzy Shepherd said: "Delighted for Abbie and Summer to be the first ever women to sign a professional part-time contract with Dundee United.

"The club has a vision for their women’s team and this is another step in the right direction."

Head of football operations Ross Starke added: "Following confirmation of our status as an SWPL1 side for the coming season, it was important that, with the backing of the chairman, board and executive leadership of the club, we continue to progress the women's team in line with the growth of the game in Scotland."

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Scotland defender Leah Eddie has "overcome the nerves" of joining Rangers and is excited for the competitive action to get started.

The 23-year-old rejoined Jo Potter's side from Hibs earlier this summer after a brief spell with the Glasgow outfit back in 2018.

"Things are a bit different from where I have been previously but in a good way," the 23-year-old told club media, external.

"I have really enjoyed it and I am looking forward to preparing for games in the future.

"I think going to a different team is always going to be completely different from where you are before.

"There was probably a bit of nerves and excitement in there as well but it has been good to just get on the pitch and get rid of those nerves as soon as possible and prepare for the games."

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Glasgow City have signed Finland youth international Sofia Määttä on a permanent basis.

The 19-year-old signed a pre-contract back in January committing to City for the next three years.

The forward joins fellow Finn Wilma Forsblom at Petershill.

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Striker Kit Loferski and defender Hana Kerner have committed their future to Celtic.

Loferski has penned a two-year extension running until 2026 while Kerner signed on until 2025.

Full-back Kerner suffered an injury shortly after her arrival in Glasgow and has been on the sidelines for over a year.

But the American has joined up with the squad for pre-season preparations as she continues to work up to full fitness.

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Assistant coach Gavin Beith has left Hearts to pursue an opportunity abroad.

Beith joined the Edinburgh outfit in January last year and was a part of the coaching staff as they secured their highest ever points total this season.

“I’ve had such a great time working alongside Gav," manager Eva Olid told club media., external

"With the experience and knowledge that he has in Scottish football, he’s been so important for me to have around as I continue to pick up things on the Scottish game.

"He will be a big miss for us, but he leaves to take up a really good opportunity and we wish him all the best."

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Kirsty Howat was "over the moon" to make her long-awaited Scotland debut on Friday night.

The 27-year-old has made numerous appearances for the Scots at youth level but her substitute appearance in the 2-0 win over Slovakia was her first for the senior side.

"I'm over the moon," the forward said.

"I've dreamt of that moment since I was a wee girl so for it to finally happen, I'm absolutely delighted.

"I will remember this day for a long time, I'm lost for words a little bit. I'm absolutely buzzing."

It was a tough night for Pedro Martinez Losa's side who had to contend with a 40-minute delay after a storm hit the Nitra Stadium in the second half.

"It was pretty extreme, we couldn't even see the girls on the pitch," Howat added.

"We stayed professional, kept warm and got a good warm-up in and got the job done in the end.

"We didn't really know much about what was going on but we just kept warm as if the game was going to happen again.

"It was all we really could do. It didn't really phase us, we were just expecting to come back out and play."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Stadion pod Zoborom

Image source, Scottish FA

It wasn’t the goal-fest show Scotland put on against Israel in the recent double-header, but Scotland continued to show their strength against this level of opposition in Group B2.

On another night, similarly to the reverse game at Hampden, the Scots could have buried more, but given they were stunned by the sun in the first half, then shuddering after the storm in the second, this was no normal game of football.

But it’s another challenge this side has overcome. They remained calm and committed to their game plan, using their width and looking to serve Thomas.

It was a quieter night for the Scotland number 20 given her recent high standards, but she still proved a nuisance. As did her replacement, Kirsty Howat, on her long-awaited international debut.

This campaign was all about reconnecting with winning, something Scotland didn’t taste during their Nations League campaign.

Should they finish top of this group, they’ll return to League A, so gathering momentum is crucial, even at this crazy stage of the season.

Some players had a few days of pre-season at their clubs before joining up with squad, while others won't have a sniff of competitive football again until the end of September.

When their fitness and mentality was put to the test, they came out with flying colours - as they have done so at nearly every time of asking in this campaign.