Scottish Women's Football

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Lee Gibson (Glasgow City): When called upon she made some vital stops. Produced a great reaction save to prevent Celtic making it 1-1. No doubt helped her side to all three important points and kept City's unbeaten start to the season intact.

Lisa Evans (Glasgow City): Scored City's winner, and it was some strike from a tight angle. Was so influential in the game, both defensively and setting up attacks.

Siobhan Hunter (Hibs): Scored a goal, her fourth in five games, and helped her side keep a clean sheet.

Stacey Papadopoulos (Hibs): Provided the assist for Hibs' opener, scored their fifth, and kept Motherwell at bay in a great afternoon's work.

Sofia Maatta (Glasgow City): Full of energy and intent all afternoon, grabbed City's first goal with a really good finish, and set up their second.

Ellis Notley (Hibs): Got her side off to a great start with an early goal that set the tone, and set up another three. Was key to everything that was good about Hibs.

Quinty Sabajo (Rangers): Dutch midfielder marked her first start with her first goal for Rangers. She continued her attacking intent by setting up two goals in what was an impressive display from Rangers.

Demi Taylor (Montrose): Played a key role in a crucial win over Partick Thistle. Set up Montrose's opening goal, hit the woodwork, and played her part defensively too.

Katie Wilkinson (Rangers): Her goal tally just keeps increasing as she netted five in the rout of Hamilton. Scored a variety of different goals too and played with real confidence.

Kaela McDonald-Nguah (Montrose): Scored both her side's goals as her experience continues to tell in this team. The win moved Montrose into the top six.

Carly Johns (Hearts): Scored two and set up another. Was in the thick of it for Hearts, proving a real attacking threat.

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Celtic head coach Elena Sadiku: We started the game okay in terms of intensity and trying to win the ball. In possession first half, we're not the best at all.

Every time we won the ball, we lost it and it became really transitional.

One of our strengths is in possession when we can move the opponents, when we create chances and first half I don't think we created any chances except for Emma Lawton trying to get the finish.

The last 15-20 minutes we showed character, we were more intense. But we didn't deserve the three points today, so that's the story.

Glasgow City player-assistant coach Hayley Lauder: It was another great game for us off the back of the really busy schedule that we've had.

For 80 minutes I thought we were absolutely superb, controlled the game, and then maybe let them back into it a little bit, lost a little bit of control in the game, but I thought our response was great.

We're absolutely delighted with the position that we're in. It's huge. The character within the group this year is excellent.

"Going from Wednesday and being so high, it takes its toll emotionally and physically. But to come here against a team like Celtic and control large parts of the game, it's huge credit to the girls.

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Rangers head coach Leanne Crichton: I am really pleased, the most pleasing element of it was that ruthlessness throughout the game.

We probably came off it a little bit in the second half, but outwith that kind of five or 10 minute spell I thought we were excellent.

Coming off the back of last week against Hibs and the frustration and disappointment around that result and performance, it was important that we bounced back today and showed that real good intent throughout the game.

I have tried not to think too much about the league table and what it looks like just now but you can't get away from the fact that goals are going to make a difference at some point - whether that is deciding who wins the league title or defining the positions that fall below that.

The quality was there and you could see the enjoyment factor for the players as well.

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Hamilton Academical head coach Robert Watson believes there is "no point having part-time teams" in the topflight of the SWPL, after his side were beaten 11-0 by Rangers.

High-scoring games have not been a rare occurrence in previous SWPL seasons, but there was a hope that moving to a 10-team league over the summer would lead to more competitive games.

"What you saw today was the stark reality," Watson told BBC Scotland after the match.

"The top six teams who can spend money, against the reality of the resource the rest of us have got.

"It was quite evident on the pitch. If that's the way the game is going to continue, we're as well having a top-six league."

Rangers' rampant victory was the biggest win of the season so far, although Accies have failed to win a game all season and have suffered numerous 5-0 defeats.

"Rangers must be spending some 30 times more money," Watson added.

"They are full time. That's the gap, these games can happen. That doesn't excuse our first 30 minutes, we've got to be better.

"But the reality of the current set-up of the league is, we're going to see more and more results like that. It pains me to say it. We're extremely disappointed, but we've got to be realistic."

Partick Thistle, Montrose, Motherwell and Accies are all part-time teams and - alongside Aberdeen - make up the bottom spots in the league.

"I'm going to do a 40-hour-a-week job, starting at 06:00 tomorrow morning, and so are all of our players," Watson continued. "Rangers players aren't.

"Until that disparity is mitigated in some sense, with the league or sponsors, however we might fix that, there's just not a point having the part-time teams in the top league.

"We're further away than ever, and getting further."

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Partick Thistle assistant head coach Craig Potter: It was disappointing, poor. We didn't pass the ball anywhere near what we are capable of.

Very disappointed with every aspect of the game. Didn't create enough and finishing was poor. It's a sore one and a bad day at the office.

We huffed and puffed but didn't cause enough problems and it took us too long to get any quality passes together.

We're going to have to go and reflect on the bad day and make sure it doesn't happen again.

We don't have time to feel for ourselves, we need to get back on the pitch and train hard.

Montrose manager Craig Feroz: The only thing we can really take is the three points. We managed to keep a clean sheet somehow, but I'm very happy with the win.

I don't think we played particularly well. We were comfortable in the first half but they were better in the second.

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Hibernian boss Grant Scott: I'm delighted with the win. It's been a difficult venue in the past.

To get our noses in front and cement that in the first half, it gave us a good platform. I thought we were untidy in the second half but happy with three points and five goals.

The more games you win, the better it feels.

Motherwell manager Paul Brownlie: It's tough but I can only focus on the positives.

Hibs were really effective at set plays. At no point did we allow them to play through us.

We had to tweak a couple of things in terms of shapes but they handled that well.

We know we have to do better defending crosses and set plays - and we didn't do that.

But we played through the lines with good quality and I got a good response from the players.

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Hearts manager Eva Olid: I'm happy because it's always difficult to come here and the wind didn't help us in the first half with our gameplan.

The players put in an excellent performance - so professional.

We wanted to play long but it was difficult with the wind. The ball was going everywhere.

We were unlucky to concede the goal. Carly Johns is performing in every game. She's a striker and she does everything that we need.

Aberdeen boss Scott Booth: I'm disappointed because we don't like losing games.

We made it too easy for Hearts. When you make individual errors, it's very difficult when you're playing the top teams in the league and we can't afford to do that.

Their goals were too easily scored. Players not tracking runners. The first couple of goals we lost were down to individual errors.

We need to make sure we keep working going forward and ask questions of the opposition's back line.

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Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross says her side are "ready to fight" when they come up against Sporting Club in the last 16 of the Europa Cup.

After a stunning second-leg comeback against Danish side HB Koge, winning 6-5 on aggregate, City will face Sporting next month.

"I don't think there's ever going to be an easy tie at this stage of the competition," Ross said. "It's certainly going to be a difficult night for us.

"But I think with the character you've seen on Wednesday, we're ready to fight and we're ready to be there for each other and just go as far as we can in this competition."

The City boss admits she's been in touch with former Scotland team-mate - and current Rosengaard boss - Shannon Lynn to get the lowdown on their upcoming opponents.

"I saw that they had played Rosengard in the previous round so I've been in touch with Shannon already," Ross said.

"If other clubs can help us in any way then that would be great and I like to think that we would do the same for other teams.

"It's good to have that network you can rely on to support your analysis a little bit."

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Fresh from a European victory, Glasgow City travel across Glasgow to face Celtic on Sunday with the hope of retaining the top spot on the SWPL table - and you can watch it live on the BBC.

Runners-up last term and 16-time champions Glasgow City lead the way after eight games with 22 points from a possible 24.

Celtic sit three points behind in second, having lost 2-0 to Rangers last month, both are ahead of reigning champions Hibernian who are playing catch-up in third.

Leanne Ross' side come straight off a 6-5 midweek victory on aggregate over HB Koge, which saw them progress to the last 16 of the inaugural Europa Cup, while Celtic go into the game on the back of a resounding 7-1 win over Motherwell last weekend.

City forward Nicola Kozlova will be one to watch after she was named September's SWPL player of the month, scoring three goals last month including the winner at Ibrox in City's 1-0 win over Rangers.

Celtic defender Emma Lawton and City duo Lee Gibson and Amy Muir will also be hoping to make a mark ahead of Scotland's international friendly matches against Morocco and Switzerland next weekend.

With no other team able to catch City in the league apart from Celtic, Grant Scott's Hibs will be hoping to close the gap with three points over Motherwell.

Elsewhere, Leanne Crichton's Rangers will be looking to bounce back after a defeat to Hibs last weekend as they host Hamilton, who sit bottom of the table, while fourth-place Hearts travel to Aberdeen.

And ninth-place Partick Thistle host eighth-place Montrose, with both sides vying for three points in attempt to climb the table.

How to follow on BBC

Celtic v Glasgow City will be live on BBC Alba. Kick off is 16:10 BST.

You can find match reports from all five matches on the BBC Sport website and app.

Sportscene SWPL highlights will be on the BBC Scotland channel on Monday night at 19:30 BST with a repeat on BBC One Scotland at 23:10 BST.

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Wednesday was "one of the greatest nights in European history" for Glasgow City, says former goalkeeper Gemma Fay.

Leanne Ross's side defeated Koge 6-5 on aggregate to progress to the last 16 of the inaugural Europa Cup.

The Glasgow club scored twice in stoppage time with overcome the Danish outfit in an eight-goal thriller at Petershill Park.

Fay, who played in the Champions League with City, believes Wednesday night is another for the history books.

"Is this one of the greatest nights in European history for Glasgow City? Emphatically, you must answer yes," the goalkeeper said.

"To score two goals in injury time after losing a goal in the 85th minute, it's phenomenal. There's not many words that can describe what we've seen here tonight [Wednesday].

"An absolutely astounding game of European football and, to a player out there, they worked their absolute socks off.

"Yes, there were mistakes, but how they recovered from it, everybody should stand up and take notice of that. You are going to make mistakes in every walk of life, but it's how you react.

"Absolutely phenomenal. Glasgow City in Europe is just a thing. They can't help but create excitement, they can't help but have moments like this. They can't help but do the unexpected.

"You can never sit back and think, 'that's just it'. Not when the opposition score in the first moments to go 3-1 up on aggregate. Not when the opposition score in the 85th minute.

"They find a way and have found a way again."

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Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross feels her players got the result they deserved after coming from behind against FC Koge to progress to the last 16 of the Europa Cup.

The Glasgow club were 2-1 down in the tie before kick-off at Petershill Park last night and when Mille Gejl gave the visitors the advantage on the night after three minutes, it looked like City's European dream was ending.

But a stunning comeback from Ross' side allowed Lisa Forrest to net the winning goal in second half stoppage time and put City's name in the hat for the next round.

"I'm delighted for the players you could see the effort that they put in," the boss told club media.

"Especially after going a goal down on the night that took us further behind in the tie. You can see the character and team spirit that was there and I'm absolutely delighted that they pulled through and got another famous victory.

"It wasn't in the gameplan to go further behind in the tie but I was always confident that we would get chances in the game.

"I think every player that went out on the pitch gave us everything, did what we asked them to do and we got the result I think we deserved on the night.

"This is what we wanted. We wanted to give ourselves an opportunity to play another top team."

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Team spirit and clinical finishing earned Glasgow City a place in the last 16 of the Europa Cup, according to a delighted Lisa Evans.

The SWPL leaders scored twice in stoppage time to beat Danish side Koge 5-3 at Petershill Park, giving them a 6-5 aggregate victory.

"That epitomised what the club is all about," experienced winger Evans told club media. "It was a real gritty, determined performance.

"We left everything out there. Everyone was knocking their pan in. I've just so proud of them all."

Two of City's goals came from Evans' corners, while substitute Lisa Forrest headed in the last-gasp winner.

"From start to finish, we all got behind each other, we really pushed and believed we could get the result," added Evans.

"We know we are capable of scoring against anyone. We were really ruthless in front of goal. We've got top players at that end of the pitch.

"It was a bit more entertaining than we would have liked but we got the job done and it's amazing."

Head coach Leanne Ross echoed those thoughts, saying: "Every player on the pitch gave us everything and we got the result I think we deserved.

"Even after losing such an early goal I was always confident we'd get chances.

"We changed tactically, trying to get more numbers forward.

"The squad has gelled so well this season and you could see that team spirit. They always want to do well for each another."

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The SWPL has announced total payments to clubs of £549,000, which is an increase of 41% on the previous year.

The league's turnover surpassed £1m for the first time.

Club fee payments make up the bulk of monies received, with £100,000 awarded as prize money via the Sky Sports Cup.

"These results are a powerful testament to the dedication and ambition of our clubs in driving the continued growth of women's football across Scotland," said the SWPL managing director Fiona McIntyre.

"Broadcast partners Sky Sports, BBC ALBA, and BBC Scotland have been instrumental in driving both financial growth and visibility for the league. Their support is reflected not only in the financial results but also in rising viewership, with over 2.4 million people tuning in to watch SWPL matches online or on television last season."

The SWPL also announced the appointment of Elizabeth Fagan as its new chair.

"The growth of the women's game in Scotland has been extraordinary, and I'm committed to building on that momentum," she said.

"Together with our clubs, players, and supporters, we will continue to elevate the profile of women's football, champion equality, and create lasting opportunities for future generations."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Noa Schumacher (Hibernian): Despite conceding two goals, she was solid otherwise in handling what was thrown her way. Made a vital stop late on in the match to ensure her side picked up three points rather than one.

Emma Lawton (Celtic): Full of energy and intent. Reacted well to the rebound to score her first goal of the season for her side.

Toni Leigh Finnegan (Aberdeen): Part of a back line that were alert when they had to go against Hamilton Accies. Keeping a clean sheet was another positive along with what was an important win.

Lizzie Waldie (Hearts): A clean sheet and an assist so it was a good afternoon's work. Comfortable playing out from the back too.

Morgan Cross (Celtic): Really making a name for herself this season. Got Celtic off the mark with great persistence, then showed brilliant composure for her second. Was in the thick of everything that was good about Celtic with her pace and deliveries.

Aimee Black (Aberdeen): Played with real confidence as her pace allowed her to get into good positions for both her goals.

Emily Whelan (Glasgow City): Was lively up and down the wing for City and provided assists for both goals. Key in helping her side as they maintained their unbeaten start to the season and remained top of the SWPL table.

Rosie Livingstone (Hibernian): Her persistence to get her goal typified her performance and terrific work rate. Her strike just before half time provided the spark Hibs needed as they came from 2-0 down to seal a brilliant win.

Eilidh Adams (Hibernian): Played a significant role in helping Hibs take all three points in this one. Assisted the equalising goal and scored the winner, with a sublime one touch finish.

Carly Johns (Hearts): Started the rout for Hearts as she won a penalty and then converted it. The opener seemed to settle the side and set the tone for the rest of the match. As well as her goal, her quality on the ball shone through.

Bayley Hutchison (Hearts): Grabbed a hat-trick as she showed all her qualities, pace, power and finishing. She could have had more too. Definitely getting back to her best and getting herself into great positions.