Scottish Women's Football

Image source, SNS

While the Scottish Premiership takes a break for the next few weeks, the SWPL does not, and this weekend's action starts with one of the biggest derbies of all.

Glasgow rivals Rangers and Celtic meet at Broadwood for the first time this season after the latter's Scottish Cup triumph last May, but it hasn't been smooth sailing for Celtic in these fixtures.

Believe it or not, before that cup final win, Celtic hadn't beaten Rangers in the fixture since March 2024. Of the 11 games across all competitions, Celtic lost eight and drew the other three.

Last season the sides met four times in the league, once in the League Cup and once in the Scottish Cup. In the SWPL, Rangers won all four and scored 12 goals, Celtic scored just two, and both of those came in the one match.

It took a penalty shootout, which Rangers won, to separate the sides after a thrilling 3-3 draw in the League Cup semi-final and of course Celtic won the final meeting in the Scottish Cup final in May.

Not only is this an Old Firm derby, it's also a top-of-the-table clash.

Both Rangers and Celtic boast a 100% record after the first five games of the new campaign, perching them both at the top of the table with Rangers ahead thanks to a superior goal difference.

Not only will the winner of this weekend's clash, if there is to be one, take the bragging rights, they'll also move outright top of the league. If there's a loser, they risk dropping into third depending on how champions Hearts, three points adrift, fare in their game against Glasgow City later on.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Aberdeen host Hibs, Montrose travel to Partick Thistle and Motherwell are at home to Spartans before Hearts welcome City.

Image source, Getty Images

Rangers are staring at elimination from the Europa Cup after losing 2-0 to Swedish side Hammarby in the first leg of their second qualifying round tie.

Elin Sorum finished at the back post to give last season's runners-up the lead just before the half hour mark in Stockholm.

The hosts also hit the bar before finding a crucial second goal three minutes from the end, when substitute Fanny Peterson struck from outside the box.

It leaves Leanne Crichton's side with a difficult task to progress at Broadwood in next week's second leg, after Sunday's derby with Celtic in the SWPL.

Meanwhile, Scottish champions Hearts will take a 0-0 draw over to Spain after they survived a late penalty scare against Real Sociedad.

La Real were given the chance to win the first leg at Ainslie Park in stoppage time when Carly Girasoli was penalised in the box.

However, Nerea Eizaguirre missed the resulting penalty as the match ended all square. Both return legs are on Wednesday 30 September.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta has been addressing the media after naming her squad for the upcoming Women's World Cup round one play-off matches against the Czech Republic.

Here are the key things she said:

• "Always exciting" naming a squad, but this selection was about "depth" and Andreatta highlighted Sam Kerr's "versatility" as a key quality to her recall after nearly a year since she was last involved.

• Andreatta's "confidence is growing" in the squad game-by-game, with an eye on their goal of World Cup qualification. She insists her players are "doing whatever it takes" and their work in between camps is "phenomenal".

• The head coach shared her "pride" at captain Caroline Weir's second successive Ballon d'Or nomination, adding she "leads in actions as well as words" - "she's a doer, not just a talker".

• While Weir moved to Lyon, Erin Cuthbert was appointed Chelsea captain and though she has not featured yet this season - after picking up an injury on Scotland duty in June - Andreatta said the midfielder is "progressing really, really well" in her plan and the national team are in constant conversation with the club.

• "It means everything," for the head coach to repay Scotland for "embracing" her, and she will "run through brick walls" to reach the World Cup for the country, her staff and players.

• On changes within the Scottish FA, particularly the appointments of chief football officer Craig Mulholland and men's head coach Sebastien Pocognoli, Andreatta said "all change is positive" and they have already had "great discussions" around "football and identity" as she shared her experiences of the past four major tournaments she was involved.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Liamara Hensel-Burg (Spartans): Marked her SWPL debut with some vital saves, playing a significant role in restricting Hearts to just one goal.

Lisa Evans (Glasgow City): Was introduced at the start of the second half and made a real impact. Her run and cutback for City's second goal was classic Evans, showing all her pace and attacking intent. City also didn't concede while she was on the pitch.

Chloe Hutchison (Spartans): The Edinburgh side have leaked a fair amount of goals this season, so the solid defensive display was impressive in a narrow loss to Hearts. Hutchison impressed against her old side.

Erin Husband (Hearts): Another game, another spot for Husband in the SWPL team of the week. Was so lively for Hearts as she mounted countless attacks from the back.

Brogan Hay (Rangers): A real threat out wide. Did really well with her assist for Rangers' third goal, using her pace to keep the ball in play then executing a pinpoint cross for Katie Wilkinson to head in.

Jasmin McQuade (Hibs): An impressive afternoon as she helped Hibs put six past Montrose. Set up two of their goals and scored the sixth.

Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City): The South African says City is her "family" and you can see how hard she works for her team. Was influential in attack, with a fine finish to put City in front against Thistle.

Laura Berry (Rangers): Her fine form continues as does her goalscoring. A real key player for Rangers and again proved her worth against Aberdeen with a double.

Carly Johns (Hearts): Another team of the week regular. Wasn't as clinical as previous games but her goal was enough to give Hearts a vital three points.

Kerri Halliday (Hearts): A real livewire out wide. Set up the only goal of the game and was a a constant threat with her dangerous balls into the area.

Libby Smith (Hibs): A hat-trick and an assist, so a fine performance as the English forward continues to impress for Hibs.

Image source, SNS

Holders Glasgow City will host Celtic in the quarter-finals of the SWPL Cup, while last season's beaten finalists Rangers have a home tie against Partick Thistle.

Hibernian travel to face Motherwell and defending SWPL champions Hearts will be Boroughmuir Thistle's visitors.

The quarter-finals will be played on or before Sunday, 1 November.

Quarter-final draw

Motherwell v Hibernian

Boroughmuir Thistle v Hearts

Glasgow City v Celtic

Rangers v Partick Thistle

Image source, SNS

Celtic narrowly defeated Spartans while Montrose were knocked out of the second round of the Sky Sports Cup by SWPL 2 side Boroughmuir Thistle.

Casey Howe's first half goal was enough to secure the victory for Celtic and send them into the third round of the competition.

Montrose, meanwhile, are out of the competition after Fiona Gibson scored for Boroughmuir in the second half and they couldn't find a response.

Partick Thistle needed extra-time to defeat second division side Gartcairn 3-0. Mae English scored twice in the additional period and Imogen Longcake added a third to send Thistle comfortably through in the end.

Hibs thrashed SWPL 2 outfit Kilmarnock 8-1 away from home. Libby Smith scored a hat-trick, Tiree Burchill and Jasmine McQaude bagged a brace and Jess Ramsay scored the other. Skye McDonald's conciliatory late penalty came when Hibs were already seven goals to the good.

Glasgow City also scored eight as they eased past Livingston. Goals from Linda Motlhalo, Ruby Seaby and a double from Emily Gray had them four in front at the break.

Motlhalo and Sofia Maatta extended City's lead in the second half, before Gray completed her hat-trick and Emily Whelan completed the rout.

Late goals from Ellie MacDonald and Mia McArthur secured Motherwell's place in the next round at Hamilton Academical's expense.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Rowena Armitage (Hibs): Came on early in the first half after Ariana Anastasiadis was injured and grew into the game, making several vital saves. Played a huge part in ensuring Hibs earned a point against Glasgow City.

Kirsty Smith (Rangers): Defender thrived on the ball, helping her side mount attacks as they overwhelmed Motherwell.

Erin Husband (Hearts): Made a vital goalline clearance to prevent Montrose making it 1-1. Also really strong going forward and came close to scoring after a surging run.

Scarlett Herron (Hibs): Another defender doing her job well. Her goal-saving clearance at 2-2 in the draw against Glasgow City was significant.

Hannah Blake (Rangers): Midfield dominated the ball against Motherwell and the 26-year-old was key. Also grabbed Rangers' second goal.

Erin Rennie (Hearts): Scored Hearts' second against Montrose just before half-time and that set the tone for the rest of the game.

Izzy Young (Spartans): Hit a hat-trick against Aberdeen as Spartans secured their first win since returning to the top flight.

Carly Johns (Hearts): Becoming a regular in the team of the week, she got the reigning champions off the mark against Montrose and provided the assist for the third goal. A constant threat.

Sophie Townsley (Partick Thistle): Caused Celtic all sorts of problems with her pace and technique. Scored the Jags' second goal. Will be a key player for her side this season.

Kelly Brady (Glasgow City): Netted both goals as City came from behind twice to ensure they left the capital with a point.

Imogen Longcake (Partick Thistle): Marked her 100th appearance for the club with a goal and assist. Came close to scoring an absolute screamer too, only for the ball to crash off the woodwork.

Image source, Glasgow City FC/Georgia Reynolds

Glasgow City say they have added "quality, leadership and international experience" to their squad by signing Japanese midfielder Yuuka Kurosaki from Bodo/Glimt.

The 29-year-old arrives in Scotland with experience of playing in the United States, Austria, Finland and, most recently, Norway.

Head coach Leanne Ross believes the former KuPS player will "add further quality to our talented midfield" at City.

"She brings excellent experience from a number of competitive leagues around the world," Ross added.

Meanwhile, Kurosaki says she is "very excited to start this new chapter with such a historic club".

Image source, SNS

Hearts will take on Spanish side Real Sociedad in the Europa Cup second qualifying round, while Rangers meet Hammarby of Sweden.

The ties are scheduled to take place on 23 and 30 September.

Hammarby are currently second in the Damallsvenskan, with 40 points from 16 games.

Liga F has only just started and Real Sociedad, who finished third last season, lost their opener at home to Logrono last weekend.

Image source, SNS

Move over SWPL Sunday, it's SWPL Friday this week as Hibernian host Glasgow City under the lights on Friday night.

While the rest of this weekend's games get under way on Sunday the first, and arguably, the pick of the bunch is at Meadowbank tonight.

Glasgow City and Hibs are both sitting on six points after three games, the former lost to Celtic on the opening while the latter were also beaten by Celtic more recently.

The sides met five times last season across the league and cups and Hibs just edge the head to head from the 2024/25 campaign.

The first two games last season ended in draws - a 1-1 at Meadowbank last October before a goalless affair at Petershill Park the following month.

City then defeated Hibs in the League Cup semi-final at the end of January, albeit narrowly with a 2-1 victory.

But Hibs went on to win the final two meetings between the sides post-split, 1-0 away from home and then 3-2 at home.

Previous results suggest this is going to be a very close affair and will be an interesting gauge of where both teams are at in this early stage of the season.

Elsewhere, an honourable mention for Spartans v Aberdeen on Sunday. Both sides have struggled so far this term, Aberdeen are yet to pick up a point while Spartans, promoted back to the top flight, have picked up one.

Both teams have been leaking goals in their first three games of the new season - the Dons have conceded 12, Spartans 15. This one is another game where these two, who will likely be battling at the bottom end of the table, can assess how they compare to one another.

Also on Sunday Montrose host champions Hearts, Partick Thistle welcome Celtic and Rangers travel to Motherwell.

How to follow on BBC

Hibs v Glasgow City was moved to the Friday night to be shown on BBC Alba, so you can catch that on the BBC Alba channel as well as on the BBC Sport website and app and also on BBC iPlayer. It kicks off at 19:35 BST.

On Sunday, Partick Thistle's game against Celtic is live on the BBC Sport Scotland website and app when it gets under way at 13:00 BST.

There will be match reports from all of the weekend's games available also on the BBC Sport website and app.

Image source, SNS

Glasgow City defender Lana Golob joins Portuguese side Porto, the club have confirmed.

Golob joined City last summer from Italian outfit Bologna and became a mainstay in the heart of Leanne Ross' defence.

The 26-year-old helped City secure a record-equalling seventh League Cup last term and scored in the side's 6-0 final day victory over Rangers.

'A big thank you to all the Glasgow City fans for your support over the past year," the Slovenia international told club media.

"Your encouragement throughout the season has meant a lot. I'm also grateful for the time spent with such a great group of teammates and the memories we've made together.

"Thank you for everything, and I wish you all the very best for the future."