Scottish Women's Football

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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As if leading the SWPL by two points with just five games to go wasn't enough of a thrill for Hibs women's player of the year Eilidh Adams, double recognition from her peers has gone a long way to making this potentially the season of her life.

The 21-year-old forward is in the running for the PFA Scotland women's player and young player of the year awards, nominations she says she wasn't expecting at all but which feel "very nice" nonetheless.

She also doesn't mind admitting she wasn't expecting Hibs to be top of the league at this crucial stage of the season, within touching distance of the title.

"It's a nice surprise but we also have a lot of belief within ourselves," she said. "We maybe didn't expect ourselves to be in the position we're in but we know we're capable of achieving big things.

"We've not proven that yet in terms of getting our hands on some silverware but our time will definitely come.

"We've got a lot of young, exciting talent mixed in with all the experience we've got as well. I think you can see that."

It all adds up to a three-way scrap for the title, with Rangers and Glasgow City chasing Hibs.

Team-spirit and unity are key to staying top of the pile, Adams feels, as well as the belief they've built up over the season.

"That's a big part of it, having that mindset, that confidence that we're capable," she added. "We've shown time and again we're capable of coming up with big results against the big teams. We've got our DNA and that's what we stick by."

That single-mindedness, individually and collectively, could result in Adams collecting several prizes before the season is out.

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Celtic's Emma Lawton, Hibs' Eilidh Adams, Rangers' Katie Wilkinson and Glasgow City's Samantha van Diemen have been nominated for the PFA Scotland women's player of the year award.

Celtic defender Lawton made the switch from part-time outfit Partick Thistle in the summer and has become a regular in Elena Sadiku's side. She has featured in the UWCL and also earned her first senior Scotland cap this term.

Rangers forward Wilkinson leads the SWPL goal-scoring charts with 32 goals so far this season. Having joined last summer, she has been a massive part of Rangers' success as their domestic treble hopes continue.

Van Diemen has been a rock in defence for Glasgow City this term as they look to reclaim their SWPL crown. Leanne Ross' side have conceded the fewest goals in the division (14) and are still within a shout of taking home the trophy next month.

Hibs striker Adams has played a huge part in the Edinburgh side's journey to the top of the SWPL table, netting 21 goals in the top flight so far this season.

Adams has also been nominated for young player of the year alongside Hearts' Erin Husband, Spartans' Hannah Jordan and Rangers striker Laura Berry.

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Rangers head coach Jo Potter: "They made it difficult for us today. Today, it was about getting a job done and getting into a final. A clean sheet was important for us. Some really nice goals from Jane [Ross] and into a final - job done for us.

"It's not easy to pick a team. There's a lot of quality. We ask them all to produce and we have a lot of top goalscorers in the squad. Having that competition's bringing out the best in each other."

Aberdeen head coach Scott Booth: "It was always going to be a tough game for us. We were able to stick with Rangers pretty well for much of the game, but tiredness crept in.

"It was a great experience and if we can take that energy and fighting spirit into the games coming up, we'll be fine."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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After scoring a hat-trick to book her side's place in the Women's Scottish Cup final, Rangers striker Jane Ross told BBC Scotland: "Obviously very pleasing to be on the scoresheet today and to be contributing to the win.

On her hopes of winning a domestic treble this season, Ross added: "Of course we want to win everything we're competing for, so we take it one game at time.

"It's an old cliche, but our focus now turns to Wednesday [against Glasgow City] and we're obviously looking to get the win."

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Motherwell manager Paul Brownlie: "At 1-0, we still had control without the ball. We had a good structure about us.

"Defensively we were sound at points in the game but the second goal almost kills the game.

"When I walked in the door five years ago we tried to build a strategy in terms of making this club the best version it could be.

"We built an academy system from scratch, and now we have one of the best academies in the country, which is huge.

"In terms of the first team, that's two visits to Hampden in three years, which is an incredible achievement for a club like Motherwell.

"It's about growing and getting better. I thanked the players, they've given the club this profile and brought us to Hampden and that's down to them.

"It's still pretty raw and we don't want to lose games, but I've got to think of the bigger picture."

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Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross: "It was a comfortable performance. Our patterns of play came out and the individual quality we have throughout the team shone. All in all, really pleased with the performance and result.

"I loved lifting silverware as a player. It's no different as a manager but it's all about the players. It's about them getting their hands on the trophy, so they've done the hard work getting themselves into the final and we can go and look forward to that."

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Rangers manager Jo Potter insists her side are "not sulking" after their defeat to Hibs as they prepare for Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen.

The Ibrox club slipped to second in the SWPL table after they were beaten 2-0 by title rivals Hibs at Meadowbank last weekend.

But with the SWPL Cup already in the cabinet and a potential treble still on the table, Potter insists her side need to be fully focused on booking their place in next month's Scottish Cup final.

"I'll be honest, it was a down couple of days, which I'd expect," she said.

"I think they really felt the loss, which is not a bad thing from my perspective. But we really managed to dig into it and pick the bones of it.

"We've spent quite a while looking at the game and looking at certain aspects of the game and what we didn't do so well.

"We tried to put it right this week and made a very clear point that there's a cut-off point. There's no sulking and feeling sorry for ourselves because we've got another big game to look ahead to for the weekend.

"They've been great ever since after that first day back in. We've changed mindsets, we've looked positively at it and they've been really good in training."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Aberdeen manager Scott Booth wants his side to embrace Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final with Rangers but admits he is "realistic about the expectations".

His team will start as huge underdogs at Hampden. The part-time Dons are eighth in the SWPL, while Scottish Cup holders Rangers are two points off the top and chasing a domestic treble.

"We are playing against a club and a team that are fully professional and that is where we want to be," Booth said.

"We are not there and I think there is a big space there between the teams that are still fundamentally part-time and the teams that are fully professional.

"I think we have to be realistic as a club. As a manager I am realistic about the expectations. However it is a cup semi-final and I know that for sure the players will give 100% and more if they can.

"I want them to enjoy it, I want them to savour it and I want them to experience it. I want the younger players in the squad to use it as part of their development but it is a one-off game and in football we know anything can happen."

The gulf between the sides has been illustrated by the two previous meetings of the teams this season, which Rangers won 11-0 and 10-0.

However the bigger picture is that Aberdeen have undoubtedly progressed since Booth – a former star for the Dons' men's team – was appointed in October.

And that is backed up by fact they will be making their first ever appearance at the national stadium.

"I think that it does show the club are moving forward," Booth added.

"To create a little bit of history for the players to be able to walk out in a semi-final and just enjoy the day and be able to experience something that is being done for the first time.

"Having been through so much this season, to go out and be able to enjoy a cup semi-final at Hampden is an incredible achievement if you think back to the start of the season and all the ups and downs the players have had."

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Hearts manager Eva Olid has signed a contract extension to summer 2026, with the option of a further year.

The Spaniard took charge in 2021 and is credited by the club with overseeing a "complete transformation" of the women's team.

Under Olid, Hearts have finished fourth in the past two seasons and last year they reached a first Scottish Cup final, losing 2-0 to Rangers.

"I love this club and this group of players," said Olid.

"Every season we are progressing and improving as a team.

"This season the players have developed the philosophy and style of play that we want to implement, which takes time, but I am now very excited about what we can achieve next season."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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When Scott Booth returned to Aberdeen in October, this time as head coach of the women's team, he set his sights high of challenging the top sides.

Having just left Glasgow City, he was realistic and said it would take time. But the Dons are already on the cusp of history.

On Sunday, they will leave the Granite City for Hampden for the first time.

A Scottish Cup semi-final against holders Rangers awaits, and albeit a daunting prospect, the excitement has been palpable since their spot was secured.

With five wins in their past seven games, Booth's side make the trip to the southside of Glasgow in good form and crucially, with nothing to lose.

All the pressure is on treble-chasing Rangers, who comfortably tucked the League Cup into the cabinet last month when they demolished Hibs.

However, Grant Scott's side got revenge in the SWPL at the weekend and leapfrogged Jo Potter's team to regain top spot.

Though in the bottom half of the table, Aberdeen picked up a morale-boosting 5-2 win against Queen's Park, which relegated the Spiders in the process.

There are no cobwebs to brush off for Booth's side, they have the freedom of the national stadium to enjoy their debut.

And they may just dare to dream...

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Scotland and Glasgow City forward Fiona Brown is to retire at the end of the season at age 30.

Brown has not played since suffering an cruciate ligament injury for a fourth time in her career a year ago.

Brown, who rejoined City in January last year, has won three SWPL titles, two Scottish Cups and two League Cups across her two spells.

She has 61 Scotland caps, scoring twice, and has also played for Celtic and Swedish sides Eskilstuna United and Rosengard, where she won three league titles and two domestic cups.

Announcing her retirement, Brown said: "The risk is that I could easily get injured again and with my body type and history, I can't afford to do that as there is not much more that could be done.

"If you had told me when I was younger what I would achieve despite everything that has happened I would be genuinely chuffed.

"To all the team-mates, coaches, staff and fans I have spent my time with throughout my career, from my time as young player breaking through, to playing with Glasgow City, in Sweden and with the Scotland national team, thank you for your support, you have all been a part of my journey."

Brown hopes to make a final appearance this season as City chase the SWPL title and Women's Scottish Cup.

On this week's episode of Behind the Goals, Rachel Corsie and Leanne Crichton dissect the latest twists in the thrilling SWPL title race.

They are also joined by Motherwell assistant Colin Crichton, who is aiming to get one over his sister Leanne in this weekend's Scottish Women's Cup semi-final against Glasgow City.

Listen and subscribe on BBC Sounds

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Jennifer Currie (Partick Thistle): Made some crucial saves in important win over Spartans as Thistle move closer to sealing their place in the top flight for next season.

Emma Brownlie (Hearts): Played a captain's role in the draw with Glasgow City. Defended well at key moments, especially in the second half when City piled on the pressure.

Samantha van Diemen (Glasgow City): Made a vital block early on as Hearts started well. Was solid defensively for the rest of the match, dealing with any danger with ease.

Stacey Papadopoulos (Hibs): Won the ball brilliantly and executed her strike well from distance. Her goal sealed a significant win over Rangers as Hibs reclaimed top spot.

Hayley Lauder (Glasgow City): Her delivery from corners was on point all afternoon. Time after time she sent in inch-perfect balls, but frustratingly for her, there were no takers.

Jade McLaren (Montrose): Scored the only goal to seal a huge win for her side as they fight on against relegation. With five games left, they're now only five points adrift of ninth spot.

Eva Thomson (Aberdeen): Continued her fine run of scoring form with another two, helping her side move further away from the relegation battle.

Lisa Robertson (Hearts): Whether it was breaking up play, getting back to cover or setting up attacks, Robertson was at the heart of everything good about her side, especially in the first half.

Maria McAneny (Celtic): Three points was vital for Celtic to keep their title hopes alive. She showed a bit of magic with a superbly taken free-kick to score what could be an important goal for her side.

Tiree Burchill (Partick Thistle): She's finding her confidence in front of goal, that's now three goals in her last three games. That one was an important one as it surely means Thistle are safe.

Kathleen McGovern (Hibs): Got Hibs off the mark and set the tone for the game. Showed terrific determination to get her head to the ball first. Another influential performance.

Watch highlights of Sunday's SWPL top-six fixtures as Hearts face Glasgow City, Motherwell meet Celtic, and Hibs go up against Rangers.

Watch highlights of Sunday's SWPL bottom-six fixtures as Aberdeen meet Queen's Park, Dundee Utd face Montrose, and Patrick Thistle go up against Spartans.