Scottish Women's Football

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Could Real Madrid's ability to bounce back prove to be to decisive in Thursday's Champions League encounter with Celtic?

Despite losing 3-2 to Chelsea in their group opener, the Spanish side came back from 2-0 down against the WSL club.

BBC Sport's Emma Sanders, who was at Stamford Bridge for the five-goal thriller, told the Behind the Goals podcast that Elena Sadiku's team must be prepared for Real's mental resilience.

"It was maybe a bit tighter in terms of the scoreline than people would have thought," she added.

"The main thing we took away from it is Celtic will need to be aware of the resilience of Real Madrid, to go behind against a team like Chelsea then to keep coming back.

"They had opportunities at the end to maybe come away with a draw, so they've obviously got a lot of mental resilience in the squad."

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"Her face has popped up all over my timeline on social media."

Rachel Corsie can only be talking about one player, right?

Oh yes. Caroline Weir is back in the Scotland squad.

The name of the Real Madrid star was a welcome sight on Monday as Pedro Martinez Losa named his squad for this month's Euro play-off double header against Hungary.

The 29-year-old has been out for over a year with an ACL injury she sustained on international duty against Belgium at Hampden, but the Spaniard has finally been able to call on her talent again.

"Everyone was hoping and maybe expecting, certainly delighted to see Caz’s name on that list, and rightly so," injured captain Corsie said on Behind the Goals.

"Her face has popped up all over my timeline on social media. Everyone knows it’s a good moment and she’s had a good start to the season too.

"Real Madrid have had a lot of big games and she’s thriving in that. She loves those sorts of games and that’s perfect for Scotland."

After an unbeaten Nations League group campaign earlier this year, Scotland have set up a first round play-off against Hungary, kicking off in Budapest next week.

"These two games are really, really important, a lot is weighing on them and we need to make sure we get results," Corsie added.

"Caz is the sort of player that in a single moment, throughout the game, will be in a position to try and get herself the ball and create opportunities for others or even get one herself.

"She’s very, very capable of that too, so it's a real boost. And everyone loves Caz, off the pitch too.

"When players have been out for so long and they come back in, there’s that natural good feeling that comes into play as well."

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

Image source, Colin Poultney, SWPL

"It's the type of result we've been waiting for."

Well, Rachel Corsie, the wait is over. Hearts made history once more with their first win over reigning SWPL champions Celtic and extend their four-point lead above Elena Sadiku's side.

Kayla Jardine's deflected first half effort was the difference as Eva Olid's side defended resolutely to keep Celtic at bay.

While the champions were leggy and suffering from their first Champions League exploit against Twente last week, Scotland captain Corsie was keen to heap the praise on Hearts on this week's Behind the Goals podcast.

"It’s a big result for Hearts, that’s the type of result that we’ve been waiting for, for them to show they are capable of it, she said. "Are they there yet, can they really start to take points in these games to help them stay at the top of the league? That was the question.

"Hearts are a team that have a lot of ability and have shown that they can consistently push the top sides and have their own ambitions.

"But, when you look at the table now, they’ve won as many games as City and Rangers. You have to acknowledge that because we’re ten games in.

"That's a fair number of games to have a real reflection on how the performances are going and a moment to take stock, so a big result for them."

Listen and subscribe to Behind the Goals on BBC Sounds here

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Rachael Johnstone (Hearts): Made some important saves in what was a huge win for Hearts. But for her foot saving effort Celtic would have been in for an equaliser.

Kimberley Smit (Glasgow City): Was on hand to make some crucial interceptions and blocks when Rangers were piling on the pressure. Like her goalie, was key in the match ending in a draw.

Erin Husband (Hearts): Composed at the back. Showed her physicality too as she blocked and intercepted Celtic's attack.

Lisa Robertson (Hearts): Put in quite the shift as Celtic piled on the pressure. She had to do her fair share of defending, and with the ball she was intent on trying to move Hearts forward.

Darcie Miller (Aberdeen): Was lively all afternoon, making a real nuisance of herself. Was unfortunate not to find herself on the scoresheet.

Louisa Boyes (Motherwell): Showed great persistence in forcing the ball over the line to get Motherwell back in front.

Rio Hardy (Rangers): Made an immediate impact when she came on as a sub, providing a spark and threat that had been missing in the first half. Her goal could prove a significant one in this title race.

Neve Guthrie (Montrose): Scored a cracker of a goal from about 25 yards. Her touch and finish was sublime. Although Thistle equalised, a point for Montrose will be welcomed.

Laura Berry (Motherwell): Lead the way for Motherwell with her two goals, proving key again in a win which moved her side up into the top six.

Hannah Stewart (Aberdeen): Great goal to get Aberdeen off the mark and earn only their second win of the league season. Did so well in the build up to, and execution of, her strike.

Eilidh Adams (Hibs): Her early goal really settled Hibs, setting the tone for a comfortable win. She also kept her cool to slot away two penalties sealing her hattrick, and set up a goal. A good afternoon's work.

Scotland boss Pedro Martinez Losa says Caroline Weir's return to the squad after a lengthy lay-off is an "emotional" moment for her and her teammates.

We asked for your thoughtd after another weekend of SWPL action, including a first ever win for Hearts against Celtic.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Chris: Hearts have done extremely well to register a win against a very good Celtic side, a team we should have beaten pretty comfortably in the end. Nice to see us competing ant the top end and the confidence of beating a top side will do wonders for us.

Richard: Thank the heavens Celtic forgot their shooting boots! The pressure in the second half was not good for the faint of heart. However, the Hearts players were excellent throughout, both in defence and in attack. An excellent win that keeps us well in the hunt. Celtic will be wondering why they did not score an equaliser, it was not for want of trying. Congrats Eva Olid et al.

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Pedro Martinez Losa says leading Scotland to Euro 2025 would be "the highlight" of his career.

The first leg of Scotland's play-off against Hungary is on 25 October and although the manager has the likes of Emma Watson and Caroline Weir returning to his squad, he will be without captain Rachel Corsie.

If they emerge victorious over the two legs against Hungary, they will face either Montegro or Finland for a spot at next summer's Euros in Switzerland.

"Obviously there's four games that have to be played at the end and we don't know the outcome yet but I’m totally convinced these players can make it," Martinez Losa said.

"For me it will mean probably one of the highlights of my career in terms of football, in terms of transmitting all my knowledge, my experience to a group of players, but not just a group of players but to inspire a nation and I can't wait to play the Euros to be honest.

"Our conversations with the players were always, if we qualify, I think we can be a much better team. I think we can be a team that continues the development, we could express well on the pitch and we could compete at a good level but that's the ultimate objective."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa has been speaking to the media after announcing his squad for the upcoming Euro 2025 play-off against Hungary.

Here are the main points from his press conference:

• Says it's great to have Caroline Weir back in the squad, and believes she will be fit to start the game, having played for club Real Madrid this season.

• Admits that her return will be emotional for her and the squad but she brings energy and confidence to the side.

• Emma Watson has been training and playing for Manchester United's youth side and is in contention to start for Scotland but they will evaluate that when she's with the squad.

• Believes having these "key players" back will help the squad, and insists their talent will help in the final third where Scotland have struggled at times in recent games.

• On hopefully leading Scotland to the Euros, he says it would be the "highlight of his career" and he believes this squad can achieve that and can compete at a good level if they get there.

• On captain Rachel Corsie missing out, Martinez Losa stresses she will be a "big loss" on and off the pitch but acknowledges it gives others an opportunity to step up. Admits he hasn’t decided who will captain the side in her absence.

• Martinez Losa has been impressed by Shannon MacGregor since her move to Celtic and says she has "evolved as a player". Says it is exciting being able to give her an opportunity to prove herself with the national side.

Image source, Malcolm Mackenzie/SWPL

Spartans assistant coach Chris Sim: "It was a difficult start, they were disappoitning goals to concede given that we spoke about the kind of goals they could score.

"That's given us an uphill battle. We competed a little bit better in the second half. It's disappointing overall but I'm pleased that we managed to compete in the second half."

Hibs manager Grant Scott: "I thought we were excellent, the game never really looked in doubt.

"The early goal really settled us and allowed us to play good football."

Image source, SNS

Queen's Park manager Craig Joyce: "I thought it came down to two goals in the first half.

"I thought Aberdeen were clinical, took their chances and we didn't.

"For larger spells we were the better team, it was good fight and good character from the team but fair play to Aberdeen they took their chances and killed us off."

Aberdeen captain Hannah Stewart: "In the first half we dictated the play with a lot of the ball, I think we could've gone in at half-time 3-0 or 4-0 up.

"We defended for our lives, fought for the three points so it was a really pleasing display. To get the clean sheet is probably just as pleasing as the two goals."

Image source, Colin Poultney/SWPL

Motherwell manager Paul Brownlie: "I'm delighted with the three points and a strong three points. We scored four good goals and there was a good variation to our play. We spoke about how important a fast start would be for us and we did that."

Dundee United manager Suzy Shepherd: "It was very much like last week, the first half was very slow, we sat off and gave Motherwell too much time. They scored two set-pieces in the first half and that gave us an uphill battle. We've scored a good goal so there is some positives but we know we're so much better than what we're showing at the moment.

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Montrose manager Craig Feroz: "I thought we were excellent. It was a really good game for the neutral and I thought we deserved a point.

"Partick are a good side, they're a top six side and I'll take the point any time."

Partick Thistle manager Brian Graham: "We were miles off it. For the first two minutes we started well, apart from that everything went out the window.

"We just weren't at the races and it showed."

Image source, SWPL/Malcolm Mackenzie

Hearts manager Eva Olid: "It's been a lot of emotions. In the first half we had good chances, we had possession quite a lot but of course we had to defend in the second half.

"We created chances on the counter-attack and there were still positives to take. The players have to believe this can happen, they work so hard and they deserve the win."

Celtic head coach Elena Sadiku: "The first half was not good enough, it was not Celtic at all. There was no energy, we didn't play forward or create chances.

"The second half was Celtic. There was one team on the pitch in the second half, we created enough chances to win the game but we didn't take them.

Celtic women head coach Elena Sadiku described Sunday's 1-0 SWPL defeat by Hearts as the "worst performance" she has seen from her defending champions. (Record), external

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