Scottish Women's Football

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Katie Cox (Aberdeen): Not the busiest of afternoons at Balmoral for the Aberdeen goalkeeper, but holding on for a morale-boosting clean sheet with the relegation play-off to come was a huge boost for Scott Booth's side.

Tegan Browning (Motherwell): Opened the scoring in the battle to be the best of the rest, but it was much more about her defensive performance in what was a hard-fought victory for Iain Robinson's side.

Leah Eddie (Rangers): Great to see the Scotland international get 90 minutes under her belt in what has been a stop-start campaign. Leanne Crichton's side have missed her composure and ability at the back in recent times.

Rachael Boyle (Hibernian): A first appearance in eight games and what a return it was from the skipper. Strolled it at left-back for Joelle Murray's side as they ended Glasgow City's title hopes.

Jodi McLeary (Rangers): In for her goal alone... A real moment of quality from the 20-year-old who has covered a lot of positions this season for Rangers. A goal and assist back in midfield, it was a tremendous showing against Partick Thistle.

Ciara Grant (Hibernian): Another Rolls Royce performance in the middle of the park at Meadowbank. Played a huge part in the second goal and controlled much of Hibs' play.

Brodie Greenwood (Aberdeen): Unlucky not to come away with a goal, she has the woodwork to blame for that. Another sound performer for the Dons as they try to build a bit of momentum before their top-flight status is on the line.

Lauren Wade (Hearts): Scorer of the winning goal that puts Hearts on the brink of an historic first SWPL title. While that's the big one, they have now secured European football for the first time, so she's in the history books...

Georgia Timms (Hearts): And this team-mate is very much joining her there. Another goal for Hearts' star performer of the season, she just can't stop finding the back of the net. Running out of superlatives.

Abi Harrison (Glasgow City): On the losing side but changed the game in the second half for City. Scored a matter of minutes after coming on at the break before setting up the equaliser.

Carla Boyce (Motherwell): Fresh from scooping the club's player of the year award, the striker had to celebrate by scoring the winning goal... again.

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Motherwell captain Gill Inglis says it's a "strange mix of emotions" after announcing she will retire from football at the end of the season.

The 35-year-old defender has spent almost two decades in the SWPL and seven consecutive seasons captaining Motherwell, driving the club to their highest league finish and two Scottish Cup semi-final appearances.

Inglis insists it wasn't an "easy decision," but feels it's the right time to hang up her boots following the birth of her son Louie.

"It's probably a strange mix of emotions all hitting at once," said Inglis.

"On one hand, I'm looking forward finishing because I've always known this would be my final season, but at the same time, it's quite surreal to think that something I've done every day for decades is suddenly about to end forever.

"It definitely wasn't an easy decision as my love for the game is as strong as ever.

"I think when you've been involved in the game as long as I have, there comes a point where you just know in yourself that the time is right.

"Football has given me so much and I've loved every minute, but physically and mentally, I feel this is the right moment to step away.

"I'd also like to thank every team-mate, coach and member of staff that I've had the pleasure of working with throughout my career.

"They've had a huge impact on me and helped shape me as a player and a person. I've been so lucky to work with some incredible people. Thank you for everything, football."

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Hibernian forward Eilidh Adams has been named SWPL player of the month for April after scoring two crucial winners against Glasgow City and Celtic.

Joelle Murray's side started April with a 1-0 win over Glasgow City at Petershill Park where 22-year-old Adams netted a stunning strike from distance.

The Scotland international proved to be pivotal again as she scored a second-half penalty when Hibs edged out Celtic 1-0 at the Meadowbank Stadium.

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Glasgow City's Lee Gibson, Georgia Timms of Hearts, Rangers' Katie Wilkinson and Celtic's Maria McAneny have been shortlisted for SWPL player of the year by the Scottish Football Writers' Association.

Meanwhile, there are three Rangers players on the shortlist for SWPL young player of the year.

Laura Berry, Mia McAulay and Jodie McLeary are nominated along with Lisa Forrest of Glasgow City.

The winners will be announced on Sunday, 17 May.

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Hearts are chasing down their first SWPL title - and could be crowned champions as early as this weekend.

With three top-six fixtures remaining, Eva Olid's side have a four-point lead over Rangers and Glasgow City.

Seeing it over the line will be no easy task for Hearts, with a visit to fourth-place Celtic on Sunday.

Win there, though, and the title will be secured if Rangers and Glasgow City both lose. Even a draw apiece for both of the chasing teams would leave Hearts with one hand on the trophy.

Olid, who will depart Hearts at the end of the season after five years in charge, was named PFA Scotland SWPL manager of the year on Sunday night and said it would be a "dream" farewell to win the title.

Second-place Rangers get the top-six action under way on Sunday with a trip to face Partick Thistle at 14:00, live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

Defending champions Hibs welcome Glasgow City at 16:00, with Hearts' away trip to Celtic kicking off 10 minutes later, live on BBC Alba plus the BBC Sport website and app.

Hearts have won their past four games, beating Thistle, Celtic, Rangers and City to put themselves in pole position for glory.

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Manager of the year Eva Olid says leading Hearts to their first SWPL title would be the "dream" finish to her time at the club.

Olid claimed the PFA prize on Sunday night, with her side currently four points clear at the summit and just three games remaining.

Speaking after picking up the award, the Spaniard said: "It feels amazing. I didn't expect it. When they said my name, I was full of emotion.

"I was confident this season because we kept the same team as last season. When you keep working with the same group, it's important because they know you. They knew what I needed and what I wanted. They have been amazing.

"[Winning the league would be] a dream. It would be the best way to finish this project we started five years ago, when the team was amateur, and end by giving the title to the club. It would be the best thing ever."

Meanwhile, Glasgow City forward Nicole Kozlova won SWPL player of the year, with Rangers midfielder May Cruft claiming young player of the year.

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Rangers head coach Leanne Crichton: "Tough game, we always knew it would be. Montrose are a tough nut to crack. The reality is they marginally missed out on the top six. They've been a real handful this season.

"I'd love to say we've had consistency in preparing for it, but losing the players we did heading into this meant we needed to reshape things.

"We tried to be a bit braver in terms of the starting line-up, players who've not had a lot of minutes, but it didn't work. That's a lesson learned for us.

"I was really disappointed with the collective [in the first half], our use of the ball. If you don't want to work hard and track back, and look like you're hungry to win this kind of game, and get to a Cup final, we won't tolerate that."

Montrose manager Craig Feroz: "First half we were excellent and I don't think there was much in it then. Usual story, players tired in the second half and credit to Rangers, they went and did the job.

"Our shape was excellent, the fans were giving Rangers a bit of stick because we were closing them down well. I'm really, really proud of them.

"I've got nothing but pride for the team. Rangers are a really good side, they're in the final and deservedly so, but I'm really proud of them."

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Celtic head coach Grant Scott: "I thought we were good today and in the end, the win was deserved.

"We never fear any of these opponents and sometimes quirks happen that you've not beaten a team for a while and you can't really put your finger on it.

"I think I've questioned the character, the mentality of the groups, especially in the last two or three bad results we had there because the results, as bad as they were, it was the performances that were more disappointing and I hadn't seen that in the group since I joined the club.

"So, I think having put those performances to bed and showing now true versions of ourselves on Wednesday and today, we need to bottle that and move it forward and make our quality better at times and manage the game better.

"We shouldn't be conceding as late in the games as we are and even the second goal for City today in extra time, but there's a stack of positives in terms of knowing that we can compete,

"The evidence is now there and I said that to the girls before the game today that we've now got evidence-based stuff to work from that when we perform, we do well in games. When we don't turn up and don't perform, we get bad results.

"For me, it's just about pushing that through, hammering it home and then we'll increase the quality as we go."

Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross: "It's hugely disappointing. Performance wise, we've matched Celtic. We started the game really well, positive, I felt we probably should have been at least two goals up, but in saying that, Celtic defended those actions really well and then the chances we gave up were far too soft.

"Three balls into our box and we've conceded three goals. It's out of character for us, to be honest, but it then gives you a mountain to climb.

"We need to score goals, that's all that's missing from us right now, because we're playing good football, we're more than matching teams, but we're not punishing them when we're on top in games.

"There's a distinct lack of confidence at the moment, I think you can see it in front of goal."

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Three sides from the top six and one from the bottom four will face off in the Scottish Cup semi-finals this weekend.

One of Celtic, Glasgow City or Rangers has contested each of the past five finals while Sunday will mark Montrose's first trip to Hampden and first Scottish Cup semi-final.

On Saturday Celtic and Glasgow City meet in a repeat of Wednesday night's SWPL fixture. And if that game, which finished 1-1, is anything to go by we could be on for extra time and penalties.

Even the two meetings between the sides before that finished 1-1. The teams are in pretty similar form too, both winning just one game in their past five, albeit City are unbeaten in two.

City have already won a trophy this season - beating Rangers 2-1 to lift the SWPL Cup in March - and remain in the title mix, four points behind leaders Hearts with three games remaining.

However, for Celtic - who languish 11 points off the top - the Scottish Cup is their only hope.

On Sunday, Montrose try to stun holders Rangers. The head-to-head results don't make great reading for Montrose - Rangers have won the previous seven and scored 46 goals in those outings.

With two league games to go and safety confirmed, Montrose are free of pressure as they look to end the season on a high.

Rangers will desperate to ensure they don't lose their grip on the cup, having won it two seasons running.

How to follow on BBC

You can watch both games - and follow live text commentary - on the BBC.

Celtic v Glasgow City is live on BBC Alba and the BBC Sport website and app on Saturday from 12:20 BST while Rangers v Montrose is live on BBC One Scotland and the BBC Sport website and app from 13:15 on Sunday.