Scottish Women's Football

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Emma Thomson (Hearts): Thrown in at the deep end as she made her debut in the Edinburgh derby. Couldn't do much about Aoife Colvill's stunning second strike, but made some important saves to help her side to a big derby win.

Bailley Collins (Rangers): Was key to the only goal against Partick Thistle as she showed great persistence with a strong run through the middle to find team-mate Eva Hendle, who crossed for the Jodi McLeary strike.

Shannon Leishman (Motherwell): Solid at the back for Motherwell in a tight tussle against Aberdeen.

Chloe Craig (Celtic): Sealed Celtic's win with a clinical spot-kick. Helped keep a clean sheet too.

Jodi McLeary (Rangers): Another big goal as her scoring form continues. Was so aware of the build-up play around her for her goal, racing into the perfect position to stroke home Rangers' winner.

Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City): Leanne Ross' side maybe weren't at their most fluent, but the South African was integral to their win. She set up a goal and came close to scoring herself, with only the woodwork keeping her effort out.

Maria McAneny (Celtic): Was a constant threat for Celtic and set up two goals, showing some tremendous skill along the way.

Aoife Colvill (Hibs): Was on the losing side, but her two goals for Hibs were really well taken. She did well to find space for her first, while the strike for the second was absolutely stunning.

Abby Robinson (Partick Thistle): Yet again, Thistle showed great endeavour against a full-time team, and Robinson was at the heart of driving that. She's full of energy and determination and was a constant threat.

Kayla Jardine (Hearts): Has started the season so well and that form continued in the Edinburgh derby. Her pace up the wing, deliveries and shots on goal are nine times out of 10 spot on. It was her effort, which was saved, that led to Hearts' winning goal.

Mariana Speckmaier (Hearts): A hat-trick in an Edinburgh derby, need I say more? She was such a livewire for Hearts and is fast becoming a key player for Andy Thomson's side.

Image source, SNS

There is an Edinburgh derby to look forward to in the SWPL this weekend before an international break for Scotland's showdown with the Czech Republic.

Both sides have had strong starts and are locked on 13 points from six games.

Hearts, the reigning champions, are five points behind leaders Rangers, but ahead of Hibs on goal difference.

Hearts drew 2-2 last week after conceding two late goals to Glasgow City, while Hibs are on a high after their 2-0 win away at Aberdeen.

The city rivals are not only competing for points and bragging rights, with the first two derbies of the season deciding the destination of the Capital Cup.

It will be Hearts manager Andy Thomson's first taste of the fixture after he joined this summer following Eva Olid's departure. Thomson knows that it will be a tough test but insists his team are looking forward to Sunday's game.

Hibs manager Joelle Murray is no stranger to a derby after multiple meetings with Hearts as a player and manager. Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, she urged her side to "play the game and not the occasion".

Elsewhere on Sunday, Celtic host Spartans, Montrose play Partick Thistle, Motherwell face Aberdeen and Partick Thistle welcome Rangers.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Alicia Yates (Spartans): Back in goal for Spartans and made some vital saves in the win over Motherwell, including a fabulous tip over at 0-0. Had that strike gone in, it could have been a different game.

Faye Bryson (Hibs): Although not overly tested defensively, she was a real threat going forward. Her link-up play and deliveries impressed.

Jesi Rossman (Glasgow City): Scored a cracker of a goal to seal a great City comeback for a point against Hearts.

Carly Girasoli (Hearts): Was really strong in defence for Hearts, winning the vast majority of her battles. Although City eventually broke Hearts down, Girasoli was solid for her side.

Rachel Donaldson (Partick Thistle): Came off the bench as the hour mark approached and her influence and impact were clear. She set up two of Thistle's three goals against Montrose, including the winner.

Sienna McGoldrick (Partick Thistle): Netted a four-minute double to seal a brilliant comeback for her side. Trailing 2-1, McGoldrick grabbed the equaliser and then scored a beauty to wrap up the win for Thistle.

Kayla Jardine (Hearts): Was so impressive with her pace and press. A constant livewire and on the ball, she always looked to make things happen. Capped off her display with a well-deserved goal.

Yuliia Khrystiuk (Hibs): Linked up brilliantly with Lizzy Smith, who just missed out on the team of the week. The Ukraine international set up the opener and her dangerous ball in resulted in the own goal which handed her team a 2-0 win against Aberdeen.

Jodi McLeary (Rangers): Played with confidence, which showed in the execution of both her goals in the derby win over Celtic. The 21-year-old is proving to be a significant player for Rangers this season - even more impressive given her lack of pre-season.

Calliste Brookshire (Rangers): Her pace is such an asset and the full effect of that was on show as she pounced on a loose pass to set up Rangers' second goal. She was a constant threat running at her opponents, and also got on the scoresheet herself, wrapping up a big win.

Izzy Young (Spartans): Key to her team's second win of the season. Good on the counter, setting up a couple of dangerous attacks. Set up the opening goal in a hard-fought victory.

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