Scottish Women's Football

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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."

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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."

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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."