Scottish Women's Football

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New Hearts captain Lauren Wade says she is honoured to be named the side's skipper but is fully focused on mounting a challenge to retain their SWPL title.

Hearts won the league on the final day of last season but have lost several key players, and their manager, Eva Olid, has since left the club too, joining Manchester United as their new manager.

Wade wishes the departed squad members well but says the current crop will be putting pressure on themselves to go out and win back-to-back championships.

"It's a proud moment and an absolute honour to be captain of this club, it has been amazing so far," she said.

"I do see myself as quite vocal on the pitch and in training off the pitch, but in the squad we have a lot of leaders who can lead in their own little ways, and that's where we are very blessed.

"We have to look forward to the new season, new players coming in, getting to know them and getting to know our new staff and coaches, manager Andy, and it's been great so far.

"Naturally, after the success of winning the league, it gives you the taste for wanting more, that's only natural. The pressure comes from yourself.

"I think we know we have a younger team this year and we're relishing the potential we have within our squad."

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Glasgow City aim to learn from last season's mistakes as they look to challenge for the SWPL title, says co-captain Amy Muir.

City were victorious in the Sky Sports Cup, beating Rangers 2-1 in the final, and were five points clear at the end of February 2026 when the league split - only to finish third.

"Obviously, off the back of last year, a bit of disappointment for us in terms of how the league campaign finished," said the Scotland defender.

"Winning the Sky Sports Cup was a real positive for us and having a good run in Europe as well but, I think in terms of coming into this new season, it's about bedding in the new players that we've got.

"A few changes there, but in terms of what we're aiming for this year, it's very much silverware again and competing at the top.

"We've got a taste of silverware and you know how good that feels, so we want to repeat that again."

City are by far the most successful club of the SWPL era with 16 titles, but last finished in top spot in 2023.

"Last year, we felt we dipped at a key moment, so, I think it's about learning from that and using the experience and trying to come out better for it," added Muir.

"A good start to the season is important.

"We want to compete in every competition that we're in. I think that's what Glasgow City is about."

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Celtic have signed 19-year-old striker Isabella Fisher on a two-year deal following the expiration of her contract at Burnley.

Fisher progressed through the ranks at Arsenal's academy and has spent time with Ipswich Town, Watford and Burnley and the forward has also earned 19 caps for England under-17s in the last three years, scoring eight goals in that time.

The forward also netted her first goal for Celtic in Sunday's 1-0 pre-season friendly win over Durham.

"Issy is an exciting young striker who's shown she can find where the back of the net is," head coach Grant Scott told club media of the striker's arrival.

"She will bring pace and an added edge to our forward line, we are delighted she has chosen to join Celtic as the next steps in her career."

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Scotland midfielder Chloe Arthur has rejoined first club Celtic following her exit from WSL side Crystal Palace.

Arthur, who has 35 caps for her country, spent four years at Palace and helped them return to the English top flight last season.

Prior to her four-year spell in London, she played for Aston Villa, rivals Birmingham City and Bristol City.

The 31-year-old started her career at Celtic in 2011 and left to join Hibernian three years later.

Arthur said: "It's kind of like a full circle moment for me. Obviously, I grew up here in the academy. I went away for just over 10 years.

"But to come back and there's familiar faces, the players, the staff, obviously back at the training ground and it's where I grew up."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Rangers head coach Leanne Crichton has been speaking to the media before her side face Ajax in their Women's Champions League qualifier on Saturday.

Here are the main points:

• Crichton concedes taking on the Dutch side will be a "huge test" as they seek to reach the play-off round.

• Rangers reached the final of the mini-tournament they are hosting by coming from behind to defeat Slavia Prague late on midweek. The head coach believes that comeback proves they are equipped to take on teams at this level and they will "back ourselves", though squad absences make it a harder task.

• Crichton added a win of that nature helps with team bonding, given the number of new faces, saying "nothing bonds a group of players any better than winning games of football".

• She added "the way we handled the game was super impressive for this stage of the season" and they need to try and maintain that against Ajax.

• The former Scotland midfielder admitted the fallback of a Europa Cup qualifying place does take an element of pressure off, although remaining in the Champions League is the priority.

• Crichton also said making European football a mainstay is how to move the club forward and add to their ability to recruit "in a different type of market" with the aim of becoming "a force in European football".

• She expects a "tough game" against Ajax, who have made some "real strong key additions to their team" with a squad that is able to handle the quick turnaround in games. Given that, Crichton plans to add "freshness" to her team.

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Rangers head coach Leanne Crichton has been speaking to the media before her side begin their Women's Champions League qualifying campaign against Slavia Prague on Wednesday.

Here are the main points:

• Crichton says she's "excited" about hosting the mini-tournament at Broadwood but "hasn't thought too much" about taking charge of her first Champions League qualifier.

• The winner of Rangers' game against Slavia progress to face Ajax or Brondby at the weekend, and Crichton says being at home is "brilliant because there's no upheaval... we've not had to think about travel and logistics".

• Crichton hopes "it will be an advantage on the pitch" but admits Rangers are "up against top opposition and know there won't be any easy games".

• The Rangers boss is urging her players to "embrace the opportunity" of playing in Europe and hopes her side will "show the team that we want to be this season".

• And the former Scotland international feels her squad are "looking very good" and "ready to go and compete this week".

• But she's expecting Slavia to be "a tough nut to crack" although does believe "there are vulnerabilities we can try and expose and exploit".

• Crichton believes her squad is "more than capable" of managing "the demands of all four competitions" in Europe and domestically.

• While Crichton admits "domestically is the focus, we want to win the league this season" she hopes "European football can help us get there".

• Rangers have also confirmed the appointment of Leanne's brother Colin Crichton as assistant head coach to replace Andy Thomson, who took over as Hearts boss earlier this summer.

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SWPL champions Hearts have signed defender Ebonie Locke on a short-term loan from Birmingham City.

The teenager links up with Hearts as they travel to Denmark for their Champions League qualifier against FC Gintra.

Locke came through the ranks at Birmingham's academy and signed her first professional deal with the English outfit last summer.

Prior to a loan spell at Derby County last January, the full-back made her senior debut in a League Cup game against Leicester before joining the Rams where she made 10 appearances and scored once.

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Hibernian have announced the signing of 35-year-old Australia striker Kyah Simon on a one-year deal.

Simon has 29 goals in 111 games for her country, although has not played for the Matildas since 2022.

She has played for several clubs in her homeland, enjoying goalscoring spells at Sydney FC and Melbourne City.

Her football career has taken her around the globe, racking up appearances in the US, Netherlands and England where she played for Tottenham.

Most recently, she played for Dijon in France.

Head coach Joelle Murray said: "Kyah has competed at the very highest level throughout her career, and we're excited for our players to learn from her experience.

"We're looking forward to seeing the influence she'll have as we continue to build a competitive and ambitious environment."

Simon added: "As soon as I spoke with Joelle, I knew this was the right move for me.

"I'm really excited for a new challenge in Scottish football, and to be fighting alongside this team for silverware this season."

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Versatile Ukraine forward Yuliia Khrystiuk is targeting the SWPL title after signing for Hibs on a two-year contract.

The 23-year-old, who has seven international caps, moves to Meadowbank after playing in America with USL W League club Asheville City and college side Old Dominion Monarchs.

Khrystiuk said: "I'm super excited to join the group. The girls and coaching staff have been super welcoming.

"I just can't wait to get started and be a part of this amazing club. The goal is to help Hibs get back to winning titles and competing in European competitions."

Khrystiuk can play anywhere across the front and head coach Joelle Murray added: "She's a winger with unbelievable physical and technical attributes, and we believe she'll add a real attacking threat to our squad."

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Eva Hendle has joined Rangers on a season-long loan from Chelsea, with the 18-year-old saying she had a "good gut feeling" about the move.

Winger Hendle is the seventh summer signing under Ibrox boss Leanne Crichton.

Hendle has played for Chelsea's youth sides and will make her senior debut for Rangers.

"I am really excited; it is a huge club with a great history, and I am buzzing to be a part of it," she said.

"I was shocked; it happened quite quickly. I just had a good gut feeling about it and I went with it. It has been good so far."

Head coach Crichton said: "Eva is a player we've been tracking closely and we're excited to add someone with her quality, potential and mentality to our squad."

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Hibernian forward Tegan Bowie has joined Serie A side Parma Calcio on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee after the Italian club triggered a release clause in her contract.

Bowie was part of the Hibs academy in her youth before joining Celtic but the winger returned to Edinburgh in 2023 where she has cemented herself as a key member of the squad.

The 22-year-old made 101 appearances and scored nine goals for Hibs. She played an important part in their title-winning season in 2024-25, scoring five goals and setting up a further 10.

"I'm disappointed to see Tegan leave under a clause that was in her contract from summer 2025," head coach Joelle Murray told club media.

"She's grown and developed massively during her time at the club, both as a player and a person.

"I wish her nothing but success as she takes on this new challenge in a new country with a new team. Hopefully she can continue that incredible personal growth next season and beyond."

Bowie thanked Hibs and said: "I've gotten to experience some of my favourite memories with this team and being able to have the freedom to express myself on the pitch has helped me in my development."

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Edinburgh and Glasgow clubs will feature in SWPL games broadcast on BBC platforms in August.

On the opening day - Sunday, 16 August - Glasgow City v Celtic (16:10 BST) will be shown on BBC Alba, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

And there will be two fixtures shown on Sunday, 30 August.

Celtic v Hibernian (13:00) will be shown on the BBC Sport website and app as well as iPlayer and reigning champions Hearts' home match with Rangers (16:10) will be on BBC Alba and the same BBC digital platforms as the earlier match involving Celtic and Hibs.