Scottish Women's Football

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Budapest

In the Budapest sun, Bozsik Arena is a belter.

A nifty wee ground which, despite its small size, doesn't feel crammed or caved in, instead open and inviting.

It welcomes a Scotland side tonight full of confidence and belief following the unbeaten Nations League B campaign which got them here.

Pedro Martinez Losa's side recorded five wins and one draw - in the opening group game - and conceded just one goal along the way while playing some pretty decent football.

More of that will need to come across the - hopefully - four games which stand between Scotland and next summer's Euro 2025 Championships.

It's a case of keeping up tradition for the Scots, who have a steady record against the Hungarians. They've enjoyed the lion's share of victories in recent times with three wins and one draw in the last decade.

There were plenty roars of excitement to be heard from the squad as they trained in the sunshine on Thursday, ready to get back to international action after three months without pulling on the dark blue shirt.

If the pre-match excitement and eagerness can be matched come the peep of the whistle, there may be a few boogieing at the Bozsik Arena with the big bronzed lion tonight.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Budapest

Image source, SNS

Pedro Martinez Losa is back to where it all began as Scotland head coach.

The Spaniard took charge of the national team for the first time just over three years ago here in Hungary.

It was a 2-0 win in a World Cup qualifier, and how he and his side would love a similar result in Friday's Euro 2025 round one play-off first leg.

"It brings back good memories," Martinez Losa told BBC Scotland.

"It's been three years of a lot of work, good, very positive things and we're in a better position now to face the next challenge."

That next challenge is making it past Hungary over two legs to advance to round two, the final hurdle standing between Scotland and next summer's finals in Switzerland.

Scotland have a decent recent record against their opponents, with no member of this squad ever suffering defeat to them. Another trend they will be keen to keep up.

However, Martinez Losa is under no illusions of the task at hand, albeit Hungary are under new stewardship, with 32-year-old former midfielder Alexandra Szarvas having taken charge in March.

"With a new coach comes fresh ideas probably, but the last Nations League campaign was good for them," the Spaniard said.

"They lost against Belgium but now they are rebuilding all these ideas after competing well in qualifiers. I am sure they will be very prepared, a play-off is always a great to showcase."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Budapest

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa has been speaking to BBC Scotland before Friday's Euro 2025 round one play-off first leg against Hungary in Budapest.

Here are the key lines:

• He has "good memories" of his last game here - a 2-0 win that began his Scotland tenure in September 2021.

• Scotland are in "a better position" than where they were back then.

• Hungary, under new management, have "fresh ideas" and will be a competitive threat.

• Martinez Losa has a selection headache with a healthier squad and said it is "the most difficult part of the job".

• He refused to confirm if Caroline Weir will captain Scotland on Friday night, though says she is "an option" alongside fellow vice-captain Claire Emslie.

Image source, Glasgow City

Aberdeen have announced former Scotland striker Scott Booth as their new head coach.

The 52-year-old will officially depart Glasgow City - where he is assistant head coach - and take up his new role from 30 October.

Booth had two spells at Pittodrie as a player, either side of time with Borussia Dortmund and FC Twente, and now returns to his hometown club with extensive experience as a coach in Scotland and England.

Colin Bell was named Aberdeen head coach at the start of this season, but left the club after just two games in charge for "personal reasons".

"I am delighted to be returning to my old club and taking on this exciting opportunity," Booth said.

"Having spoken to the director of football and the wider board I share their vision for the future of the women's programme and I am looking forward to playing my part in this project going forward.

"I know there is a talented young group of players here and I am looking forward to working with them and the fantastic staff to build upon the great work carried out in recent seasons as we look to challenge ourselves to deliver success."

Aberdeen are currently ninth, one place above the relegation zone, in the SWPL.

Scotland captain Rachel Corsie - who will miss the matches through injury - is "nervous" about the nation's upcoming Euro 2025 play-off against "difficult" Hungary.

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Scotland midfielder Caroline Weir says it's "great" to see Celtic in the Women's Champions League.

Elena Sadiku's side have opened their debut group campaign with losses to Twente and Weir's Real, with Weir herself scoring against the Scottish champions.

However, she commented: "I was following Celtic through the qualifying campaign and I was happy to see them doing so well and then they qualified.

"I really wanted them in the draw. I thought it'd be so cool to play a Scottish team. I was buzzing with that.

"To play them and obviously to score was nice and to win, it was important for us.

"It's great to see a Scottish team doing well, representing Scotland in the Champions League."

Weir admitted beating Celtic "did feel good".

"It kind of took me back to my childhood a little bit," she explained. "Growing up a Dunfermline fan, I've been on the end of some big defeats by Celtic.

"It did feel good to beat them and to score."

Image source, SNS

Rangers grabbed an injury-time draw at Hibs on Sunday, but the result is one they may still rue at the end of the season when the title is decided.

That's according to Scotland captain Rachel Corsie, who regards it as a costly "two points dropped" for the Ibrox side.

"Rangers may look back and think that was our game," said Corsie on on the BBC's Behind the Goals podcast.

"I was so surprised at Rangers vs Hibs being 1-1, that is two points dropped for Rangers no doubt.

"I didn't see the game, I just saw the scoreline and I thought, 'Oh good one Hibs, they've given them a game.'

"Then I looked at the stats, and when you see Rangers had 75% possession and they only managed about five shots on target, that's not a good enough return. That's not enough to realistically give yourself an opportunity to convert.

"This potentially will be the game that when we get to the end of the season Rangers may look back and think that was our game.

"Knowing how tight the league is, you have to find a way to win."

The Edinburgh sides are keeping pace with the big three so far this season, with Hearts third - just a point off leaders Glasgow City - and Hibs fourth.

"Hearts are in a fantastic position," added Corsie.

"For being 11 games in, after one round of playing everyone, that's a real marker for them, the challenge now is can they sustain that, but credit to them.

"And it's interesting to see City top now as a couple of weeks ago there was a few question marks about them."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Jenna Fife (Rangers): Made amends by saving Hibs' second penalty. If that goes in it's probably three points dropped but her save on 85 minutes kept the opportunity for Rangers to grab a late point.

Claire Docherty (Partick Thistle): Was solid in defence for Thistle in the 2-0 win over Queen's Park. Helped build up patient play from the back too.

Kate Fraser (Spartans): Her head didn't go down when Celtic took an early lead, and she went on to produce an excellent showing at the back in Spartans' narrow defeat. She made some vital interceptions and cleared dangerous balls well.

Siobhan Hunter (Hibs): The defender put in a tremendous shift and, although there was late heartbreak as Rangers scored an injury-time equaliser, her performance until then can't be underestimated as she kept the visitors at bay for much of the match.

Lisa Evans (Glasgow City): Got City off the mark in the 13-0 thrashing of Dundee United with her first goal since joining the club. Defensively she may not have been troubled but she played a part in City's second with an assist.

Imogen Longcake (Partick Thistle): Came on a sub just before the hour and made a significant impact. Her two assists were key to Thistle picking up all three points.

Aleigh Gambone (Glasgow City): With United down to 10 players, City ran riot and Gambone was right in the thick of it. Showed great composure for her opening goal, and set up three others.

Ciara Grant (Hibs): Performed well in the middle of the park and battled defensively and offensively.

Emily Whelan (Glasgow City): Also enjoyed having the run of things with City. A hat-trick and an assist, her relentless play was evident.

Rio Hardy (Rangers): Got in a great position to ensure she was able to pounce on the rebound to score a vital equaliser. Fast becoming a super sub for Rangers - without her goals in their last two games they would have dropped more points.

Bayley Hutchison (Hearts): Was unlucky to miss out on the previous team of the week, but there's no doubt about her place this time. The striker's goal on 75 minutes ended a frustrating afternoon for herself and Hearts. She then added a second minutes later, effectively sealing the win over Montrose.

Image source, SNS

Montrose manager Craig Feroz: "I thought we were superb. We switched off for the goal and that killed us.

"I didn't think they had that many clear cut chances, before the goal I actually thought we were going to get something out of the game.

"I'm sure they're frustrated with their performance despite the points."

Hearts manager Eva Olid: "It was not an easy match, we didn't start well.

"When we started getting forward we missed that quality in the final third. In the second half we fixed things which allowed us to play a little better."

Image source, SNS

Hibs manager Grant Scott: "We've now taken points from both Celtic and Rangers and in the games we turn up we're capable of playing against anyone.

Rangers manager Jo Potter: "I think my players deserve a lot of credit for digging in.

"In the elements it's not easy, they were up against it with officials but they went right to the last minute and managed to get a point from a really tough game."

Image source, Colin Poultney/SWPL

Partick Thistle assistant manager Ross Stormonth: "I thought the girls were excellent from start to finish, I thought we controlled most of the game. If we'd taken our chances we'd probably have scored a few more.

"We've dropped a couple of points we shouldn't have, we've given ourselves a bit of an uphill battle to finish in the top six but we need to go into the break, refresh and come back ready for the second half of the season."

Queen's Park manager Craig Joyce: "We were really solid up until a certain point in the game and then conceded two goals just from standing off the game.

"It was the first time we let them in and they punished us for it. I was really proud of the girls for their attitude and effort. Again it's the tale of two boxes for us but there's certainly an improvement."

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Suzy Shepherd: "We had a spell of about 22 minutes after we asked the players at half-time to try and get through 15.

"They did that but the disappointing things was then going on to concede back to back four times within a five minute spell."

Glasgow City manager Leanne Ross: "I thought we were excellent. We wanted to get a good quick start and I think that's what the players did.

"We asked them to be ruthless and bring that relentless streak and they did that right from the start of the game through to the end."

Image source, SNS

Celtic head coach Elena Sadiku: "We played a Champions League game some days ago and that effort was something I was really proud of but today [Sunday] not so much.

"There wasn't a lot I was proud about [this weekend]. We know we want to win the league, we want to be dominant, we want to be the best team and show our very best performance and I don't think we did that."

Spartans boss Jack Beesley: "No points but performance-wise I thought the girls were excellent.

"We tried to be a little bit more aggressive to offer a threat and I think we did that.

"Primarily I'm very, very proud of the girls. You're always disappointed not to take points from the match but I think it was far bigger than that. I think the performance was outstanding."

Image source, Malcolm Mackenzie/SWPL

It's another huge weekend in the SWPL and, as usual, we've got you covered.

It's all happening on Sunday with six games on the go. We'll have full live-text commentary right here on the BBC Sport website and app.

The pick of the card see Hibs welcome league leaders Rangers at 16:10. You can watch that game live on BBC Alba, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

Plus, all six Sunday matches will be covered with our live-text commentary - starting with the three 13:00 kick-offs, Partick Thistle v Queen's Park, Aberdeen v Motherwell and Montrose v Hearts.

Celtic are looking to bounce back from last weekend's defeat at Hearts as they host Spartans at 14:00 while Glasgow City travel to Dundee United for a 16:00 kick-off.

And of course, Jane Lewis will be bringing together all the best bits with Sportscene Highlights on Monday at 19:00 on the BBC Scotland channel.

Image source, SWPL

The SWPL has revealed record financial results for the Scottish women's top flight.

Payments to clubs totalled £389,000, an increase of 17% from last year's figure.

Over £304,000 of that money was distributed through club fee payments, with the remaining £85,000 divided up as prize money through the SWPL Cup.

The league credited broadcast partners Sky Sports, BBC Alba and BBC Scotland for "supporting the financial growth" and "driving the increased visibility" of the league.

"These are exceptionally strong figures for the second full season of the SWPL," managing director Fiona McIntyre said.

"They are yet again a testament to the hard work of our clubs to advance women's football in Scotland."