Scottish Women's Football

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  1. Glasgow City players react to first SWPL cup win in 11 yearspublished at 19:28 BST 29 March

    Glasgow CityImage source, SNS

    Glasgow City goalkeeper and co-captain Lee Gibson: "It is always nice to get your hands on silverware and it's a while since we've been able to do that in cup competitions.

    "It is great we are in all three competitions. We've got our hands on one and we still have two to go, but we'll enjoy tonight and get back to league action on Wednesday.

    "It is really good for momentum for us. We were really disappointed last week [losing to Rangers in the league] - we thought we were terrible and so far away from the performances we've been putting in."

    Glasgow City match-winner Lisa Forrest: "I am just so buzzing to say that we've won it and to get it over the line.

    "All my team-mates are on at me for not shooting enough and I just saw the goal and just thought let's see what happens and thankfully it went in.

    "It is credit to the full team today. I thought it was a really good performance.

    "We weren't happy with the performance last week, so to come here today, it's amazing."

    Glasgow City defender and co-captain Amy Muir: "It is what you want to do as a captain, lift trophies and win silverware and obviously to have the chance to go up there with Lee and do that is amazing.

    "I think it was well-deserved today and I'm really proud of everyone.

    "It's been a long time since we have lifted one of the cups and it's massive for the club.

    "It is great looking back at what the club have done in the past, but it is about building our own success and hopefully that sets us up for the rest of the season."

  2. 'We want to win everything' - Glasgow City's Gibson eyes treblepublished at 18:02 GMT 27 March

    Daldeep Kaur
    BBC Sport Scotland

    Lee GibsonImage source, SNS

    Goalkeeper Lee Gibson is urging Glasgow City to keep their treble dream alive by winning the club's first League Cup in 10 years.

    Leanne Ross' side are four points clear at the top of the SWPL but suffered their first league defeat of the season last weekend, losing 1-0 to Rangers.

    The sides meet again in Sunday's cup final at Fir Park and Gibson said: "Every player wants to be a part of it. A big stadium and playing in front of a good crowd.

    "It's everything that you want, the first bit of silverware that's up for grabs for the season and we've not won it in a long time so we're really excited.

    "They're all their own separate entities [the league and cup] so Sunday's huge. It's a cup, it's silverware, you want to win that.

    "At this club that's what you're here to do, the league is itself and Sunday is the focus.

    "We've had a great season so far and we're in the cup final on merit, as are Rangers.

    "You never get tired of winning. Winning silverware is special.

    "In the past we've probably lifted a trophy and then it's the next day you're in training but that's just the nature of the beast in football, that things come thick and fast at you.

    "We want to win everything and anything and that certainly doesn't change on Sunday.

    "We're still in all competitions but we'll not look too far ahead. Sunday is obviously the main focus and once we've passed that we'll then look back at league action and then what comes after that."

  3. No complacency as Rangers' Docherty eyes more cup glorypublished at 17:59 GMT 26 March

    Samuel Ukah
    BBC Sport Scotland

    Nicolas DochertyImage source, SNS

    Captain Nicola Docherty insists Rangers won't rely on past success as they head into Sunday's SWPL Cup final.

    Rangers are bidding to win the trophy for the fourth consecutive season, but face a tough task against current SWPL leaders Glasgow City.

    The sides met last weekend in the league, with Rangers edging victory thanks to a late penalty from Katie Wilkinson to set up a mouthwatering rematch at Fir Park.

    "It's not ours until we win it," said Docherty.

    "We've obviously won it a number of years and it's been great over the years this trophy, but we know that it's going to be a difficult test on Sunday.

    "It's the league leaders at the moment, who are at the top on merit, and so we need to make sure that we are we're on it but we're focusing on us as well."

    Now 33, the Rangers captain is one of the more experienced figures in Leanne Crichton's squad.

    While Docherty believes there is "no pressure" on the younger players, she admits representing Rangers brings its own expectations.

    "I love that about them, their attitudes are excellent week in, week out at training," she said.

    "There's no pressure on them because I think us as a group and the togetherness we've got in the squad, we always make sure that everyone feels confident and ready for the game.

    "When you represent a club like Rangers there's pressure on you straight away to win silverware.

    "I know that myself, I was a fan growing up as a young kid. I always want the men to be winning as many trophies as possible as well and we're trying to emulate that on the women's side."

    A three-time winner of this competition, Docherty believes there won't be much to separate the sides on Sunday.

    "I just think we've obviously been working hard behind the scenes to make sure that we're relentless in both boxes and it really does come down to the small margins in cup finals," she said.

    "It comes down to who wants it more, who turns up on the day, and so it'll be a really close game but hopefully we're the ones that come out on top."

  4. Andreatta on Belgium challenge, captain Weir & bringing fans joypublished at 15:27 GMT 25 March

    Melissa AndreattaImage source, SNS

    Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta has been speaking to the media after naming her squad for the Women's World Cup qualifying double-header against Belgium.

    Here are the main points:

    • Andreatta insists "we'll relish the challenge" of facing the group's top seeds, adding: "That's what this group has done from the outset."

    • The head coach says the players are "hungry to be the best they can be so I know going into this window that's what they'll look to do - embrace the challenge and show what we're all about".

    • On the pressure of facing a team of Belgium's quality, Andreatta says her players are "playing with high pressure and having to perform under the highest pressure" with their clubs.

    • On Hibs striker Kathleen McGovern, who scored three goals in two games against Luxembourg, Andreatta says: "She's an example of the mentality among the group. She's been embraced by the senior players, they've allowed her to be herself and highlight those qualities she has."

    • On Caroline Weir, who officially became Scotland captain this year, the boss says: "What I've noticed about her is that she has a real thirst to be the best leader she can be."

    • Andreatta is looking forward for her first game at Easter Road and urging fans to come out in their numbers. "What I've learned about Scottish folk is we have a passion and a voice about us," she says.

    • Andreatta adds: "This group just want to make you proud and give you something exciting and enjoyable to watch. There's a lot of other stuff that's not so positive and great right now but football can be that release and sense of hope and joy and we want to give that to our Scottish folk."

  5. Derby heroes dominate SWPL team of the weekpublished at 14:56 GMT 24 March

    Amy Canavan
    BBC Sport Scotland

    Scottish Women's football

    Lee Gibson (Glasgow City): Eventually beaten by Katie Wilkinson, but it took a controversial stoppage-time penalty to do so. Until then, Gibson thwarted everything the striker - and Rangers - threw at her on her 300th appearance for City. Didn't deserve to be on the losing side.

    Lauren Doran-Barr (Hibernian): Sporting a striking pink headband to protect a cut, the Hibs defender was a standout in more ways than one as Joelle Murray's side claimed city bragging rights. With Siobhan Hunter back beside her, Hearts struggled to break down the visitors' right-hand side.

    Kelly Clark (Celtic): Never mind defending, Clark is in the team for her goalscoring exploits. Her brace bookended the scoring in a five-goal thriller with Thistle... the Celtic forwards better watch out.

    Leah Eddie (Rangers): A return to the starting XI for the Scotland international who has been forced to watch too much of the season for her liking on the sidelines. Leanne Crichton's defence always appears stronger with Eddie in it and she played a vital role in ensuring a clean sheet against league leaders City.

    Mia Selbie (Aberdeen): The Scotland youth international marked her first start for the Dons with a goal, and one suspects it won't be her last. One of many promising and highly thought of young internationals... remember the name.

    Camille Lafaix (Rangers): Here, there and everywhere in the Rangers midfield and at the heart of many of their attacks. A bright light off the bench in the past two games; made the most of her start at Broadwood.

    Millie Boughton (Motherwell): Goals one and two in claret and amber and they could prove to be a priceless pair as Motherwell maintained their three-point advantage over Aberdeen, who occupy the dreaded relegation play-off position.

    Francesca Ogilvie (Aberdeen): Speaking of Aberdeen, if Scott Booth's side are to avoid a play-off to preserve their top-flight status, players like Ogilvie will be key. An experienced head - albeit only 24 - who opened the scoring in a narrow though imperative win for the Dons.

    Rosie Livingstone (Hibernian): Livingstone loves late goals against Hearts. But even outwith her moment of magic late in the day at Oriam, she proved a real thorn in the Jambos' side. Should have been on the scoresheet earlier when easier opportunities presented themselves, but saved her best for a lung-busting run and brilliant finish at the death.

    Carla Boyce (Motherwell): Two games, four goals... not a bad week for Boyce. The play-off place might yet decided by goal difference, so Iain Robinson will be hopeful his star striker keeps a hold of her shooting boots.

    Tiree Burchill (Hibernian): Replaced Kathleen McGovern after just 10 minutes, but such was her impact and influence, the Scotland striker's absence was fleetingly felt. Led the line well and kept the home defence on their toes with her neat footwork and quick turn of pace.

  6. SWPL weekend preview & how to follow on BBCpublished at 17:00 GMT 20 March

    Hibs v HeartsImage source, Malcolm Mackenzie/Hearts FC

    Just two rounds of fixtures in, the SWPL split has already thrown up plenty of drama and this weekend is sure to provide even more.

    With the top six playing an extra two games compared to the bottom four, they were in action midweek and produced some interesting results.

    League leaders Glasgow City had to come from behind and scored a late goal at Celtic which keeps their unbeaten run going. Meanwhile Rangers were held to a 2-2 draw at champions Hibernian and Hearts picked up their second post-split victory with a comfortable win at Partick Thistle.

    And those had interesting ramifications for the table. Glasgow City are still top, but Hearts are now only four points behind Leanne Ross' side with eight games to go. Celtic are then three points adrift of second and one ahead of Rangers in fourth. Reigning champions Hibs are 14 points off the top.

    This weekend, things are heating up again.

    There's an Edinburgh derby at Oriam as Hearts host Hibs while Rangers could dent City's title hopes if they beat the leaders at Broadwood on Sunday.

    If Hearts win and City lose, the gap between first and second will close to just one point while Rangers will be just five points off the leaders.

    In the bottom half, Motherwell secured a big win over Aberdeen to put a bit of breathing space between themselves and the relegation play-off spot.

    But Aberdeen can drag them right back into the fight this weekend when they visit bottom side Hamilton Accies. If the Dons win, and Motherwell lose at home to Montrose, the sides will be joint on points again. But if Motherwell can beat Craig Feroz's side, there will be just one point between the pair in the fight for best of the rest.

    Expect plenty more twists and turns before the weekend is out.

    How to follow on BBC

    Hearts v Hibs will be live on the BBC Sport Scotland website and app, it kicks off at 13:00 GMT.

    You can watch Rangers v Glasgow City live on BBC Alba later on, it kicks off at 16:10.

    There will be match reports of all five matches on the BBC Sport website and app and you can catch all of the weekend's highlights on SWPL Sportscene from 19:30 on the BBC Scotland channel on Monday night.