Scottish Women's Football

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Getty Images

Given the Ballon d'Or ceremony fell during a women's international window last term, Caroline Weir has timed her run to perfection.

The Real Madrid star is as equally giddy at the getting-ready part of the glamourous night as the gong-winning element.

Slightly hampered by the timing - a Monday night at the beginning of a new season - a night on the Paris town is not on the cards but there's still plenty planning and preparation before a wee pop of the prosecco.

Scotland midfielder Weir is the first Scottish female to make the shortlist and she is certainly going to make the most of it and marvel in the moment.

"Our schedule has lined up really well," Weir told BBC Scotland.

"After playing on Sunday, we have Monday off which is great because I think in past years it's lined up with a women's international break, so players don't really get to go much.

"Me and [husband] Josh will fly to Paris on Monday morning, go to our hotel, get ready, get my hair and makeup done, maybe get some nice photos and then we go along and just see what's happening."

The likes of PSG's Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Liverpool's Mohammed Salah are the frontrunners in the men's category, while Weir's El Clasico opponents Alexia Putellas and back-to-back winner Aitana Bonmati join Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey at the top end of the runners and riders in the women's category.

"I'm just trying to enjoy all of it," the 30-year-old added.

"I'm very intrigued as to what it's going to be like with all these amazing players in the one room and what the actual ceremony involves.

"We're just going to try and soak it all in and obviously going to Paris as well is pretty cool."

Image source, Colin Poultney/SWPL

Fresh from their Europa League exit at the hands of Inter Milan, things don't get any easier for Hibs who travel to face Celtic on Sunday.

The two teams have only lost one game apiece so far this season and both have defeats have been at the hands of their city rivals - Celtic were beaten 2-0 by Rangers two weeks ago, while Hibs lost by the same scoreline to Hearts on the same day.

Last weekend Elena Sadiku's side put four past Aberdeen, albeit conceding two goals in the process, while Hibs were comfortable 5-0 winners at home to Montrose.

But it's the home side who will be fresher come Sunday after Hibs' battling 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan (5-1 on aggregate) that saw them exit the Europa Cup.

Last season, Hibs beat Celtic in two out of their four meetings while the other matches ended in goalless draws.

If Celtic win on Sunday they'll keep pressure up at the top end of the table while a defeat for Hibs would see the reigning champions drift away from the top four, although they have played one game fewer than Celtic, Rangers and Hearts.

The excitement this weekend isn't confined to New Douglas Park, though. Glasgow City are at home to Hearts and the away side could leapfrog their opponents with a victory on Sunday (albeit City have a game in hand).

Bottom side Hamilton Accies are away to Montrose and are still searching for their first win of the season. They were beaten in three out of the four games against Montrose during their last stint in the top flight but Robert Watson's side will be taking confidence from their narrow 1-0 defeat to Glasgow City last weekend while Craig Feroz's side will have to bounce back from their big loss to Hibs.

How to follow on BBC

Glasgow City v Hearts will be live on the BBC Sport Scotland website and app, as well as on BBC iPlayer. Kick off is at 13:00 BST.

Celtic v Hibs, kicking off at 16:10 BST, will be available to watch on BBC Alba, as well as on the BBC Sport Scotland website and app.

There will be match reports from all of Sunday's matches on the app and website too.

Image source, SNS

Glasgow City have been drawn against Danish side HB Koge in the Women's Europa Cup second qualifying round.

The SWPL runners-up beat Irish side Athlone Town 6-0 on aggregate to progress in the new competition, which they dropped into after finishing third in their Champions League qualifying group.

City travel to Denmark for the first leg which takes place on 7 or 8 October, with the return in Glasgow a week later.

Koge finished third in the Danish top flight last season and currently lead the way with a 100% record after five games this term.

The Danes beat Romania's Farul Constanța 6-2 on aggregate in the Europa Cup first qualifying round.

The winners of the tie with City will progress to the round of 16, which is to be played in November.

Image source, Getty

Rangers have signed China defender Li Mengwen on a one-year deal following her departure from Brighton.

The 30-year-old spent 14 years with Chinese club Jiangsu and won four trophies before joining Paris St-Germain on loan in 2022.

Mengwen made a permanent move to Brighton the following year and spent last season on loan with fellow WSL side West Ham, making 16 appearances.

The right-back has been capped 35 times for China, scoring twice, and played for her country in the 2023 World Cup.

"We're delighted to welcome Li to Rangers," head coach Leanne Crichton said.

"She brings a wealth of international and Women's Super League experience and her traits will really complement the way we want to play.

"Her composure in possession and defensive abilities will add real quality and also further depth to our squad, we're excited to see the impact she can have both on and off the pitch."

Image source, SNS

Glasgow City strolled into the second qualifying round of the Europa Cup with a 3-0 win away to Athlone Town.

Having won the first leg at home by the same margin, City struck first when Emily Whelan celebrated being back in her homeland with a back-post header on 33 minutes.

City went close to a second on the hour when defender Kimberley Smit nodded just wide from a Lisa Evans corner.

Linda Motlhalo and Erin McLaughlin had shots saved before a penalty gave Nicole Kozlova the chance to double the visitors' lead.

Her spot-kick was well saved but the substitute was able to head home seconds later as the ball was quickly worked back into her path.

A few minutes later, Kozlova grabbed her second with a simple tap-in to wrap up a comfortable victory.

What they said

Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross: "I'm delighted. We wanted to come and give a professional performance, we knew that the tie wasn't over.

"We've been focusing on how to get control of the game and we did that right from the start. We came out and played some really nice football, scored some really good goals as well."

Two-goal forward Nicole Kozlova: "When you're coming off the bench you can see the areas you can exploit, I knew when I came on that's what I had to do. Everybody on the field did their job and it was enjoyable to play and watch.

"When you're a little girl you're dreaming of playing in those European games. We do everything we can to make sure we are playing those games, I'm excited to see where we go next."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Easter Road

Image source, Getty Images

Hibernian exited the Europa Cup after they followed a first-leg thrashing against Inter Milan with a 1-0 defeat at Easter Road.

The reigning SWPL champions had a mountain to climb after a 4-1 loss in Italy and though they were much-improved, they never looked like giving their visitors a scare.

A credible goalless draw appeared likely on a night where the Italians were dominant without doing much with the ball, but the game swung in their favour with 10 minutes to go when home goalkeeper Noa Schumacher was sent off after rushing out her box and blocking Benedetta Glionna going through on goal.

Seventeen-year-old goalkeeper Rowena Armitage came in for only her second Hibs appearance and nearly saw out the clean sheet, but substitute Masa Tomasevic tucked away from close range in stoppage-time.

Long before that there were a few near things for Hibs through Scotland strikers Kathleen McGovern and Eilidh Adams - who scored a superb goal in Milan - while defender Siobhan Hunter had a wild pop at goal from a first-half free kick in her own half.

An unlikely task turned out to be insurmountable and it is Inter who progress into the second qualifying round of the inaugural second-tier competition.

What they said

Hibernian coach Joelle Murray: "When you're in a dressing room after the game with players who are disappointed and frustrated at getting beat 1-0 against a team like Inter Milan, it just speaks volumes. I don't think we deserved it, not at all.

"I think the growth within a week, individually and collectively, was fantastic. We're proud but frustrated because we knew that we were competing. We frustrated them."

Hibernian winger Rosie Livingstone: "I think the fact that we've managed to keep them out for so long in the game, it's frustrating in a sense to sort of have that first game go so against us.

"I think we always play better against better teams. We play faster when we play against teams that play fast too, so I think it kind of worked in our favour a little bit."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Getty Images

Siobhan Hunter wants to hear "no excuses" when Hibernian take to the Easter Road turf and try to overturn their three-goal deficit against Inter Milan in the Europa Cup tonight.

The SWPL champions suffered a 4-1 defeat in Italy last week and have the odds stacked against them - again - to progress in the inaugural European competition.

Grant Scott's side dropped into the second-tier tournament after being knocked out of the Champions League and are already playing their fourth European fixture this season.

Despite a hectic start to the campaign, with their title defence starting with three wins and a derby defeat, the defender doesn't want to hear any complaints come kick-off.

"I think it's easy to make excuses at this level," Hunter said previewing the Inter game, which will be shown live on BBC Alba, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

"It's easy to turn around and say, 'I'm tired, I'm exhausted'... it's a privilege. You have to be grateful for these opportunities. There are players out there that will never do it, never have done it.

"You have to get around each other and make sure you're all up for it. You might be tired, you might be sore, but there's no better competition in the world that you'd rather be in."

Hunter is confident the club can remain in the competition, though they are under no illusions of how tricky the task ahead is.

"We have to pick our moments when we want to jump, when we want to step or when we want to stay," she added.

"We have to be careful and really, really organised.

"We have to believe that we can go and do it at home and there's no more special place to do it than Easter Road."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Erin Halliday (Hamilton): Despite conceding midway through the first half, she recovered well and made a couple of vital stops to restrict Glasgow City to just a 1-0 win. The 18-year-old was well tested and came through with a confident display.

Danique Ypema (Hearts): Composed in possession and certainly has an eye for a pass as she showed with her ball for Lauren Wade's goal against Motherwell. Also not afraid to have a go herself, coming close on a couple of occasions. Kept a clean sheet too.

Linzi Taylor (Hibs): The defender's goal made life more comfortable against Montrose. There was a bit of fortune about it as the rebound fell straight to her, but the the 30-year-old did well to react in a composed manner to score.

Hannah Luke (Celtic): A memorable debut off the bench from the English defender. Her two late corners resulted in two big goals as Celtic completed a late comeback to beat Aberdeen.

Sofia Maatta (Glasgow City): The Finn's impressive assist rate is growing by the game. She added another on Sunday and also came close to scoring with a well-saved shot.

Hannah Stewart (Aberdeen): Despite defeat to Celtic, the captain shone for the Dons with two equalising goals, including an absolute beauty of a header.

Maria McAneny (Celtic): A real driver with her pace and energy. Claimed a fine goal by holding off a Dons player and sending a clever looping finish over the keeper.

Lauren Wade (Hearts): Scored Hearts' second against Motherwell and came close on a number of occasions. A consistent threat racing forward and setting up attacks.

Brogan Hay (Rangers): Quite the impact after her introduction on the hour. The Scotland international had an influence in three of Rangers' four goals. Pick of her work was showing brilliant skill and tenacity in setting up the second, which gave the visitors the lead.

Tegan Bowie (Hibs): Full of energy on the flank and always a threat. Produced three terrific balls to set up Kathleen McGovern's treble.

Kathleen McGovern (Hibs): A second hat-trick of the league season for the 24-year-old. Could have had more goals too, but for the woodwork and some good saves.

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen manager Scott Booth: "I said it was always going to be a really tough game against Celtic, but I asked the players for a reaction from last week and I 100% got the reaction.

"At half-time, I said we had to be a bit braver in possession, about getting in behind them, getting a shot away, putting a cross in. To be fair to them in the second half, they were much more on the front foot. The most disappointing thing out there for me is that we lose the game through two corners, when we work on corners a lot.

"We need to keep getting better, keep developing, keep learning from things like today."

Celtic boss Elena Sadiku: "The performance overall was really good. What I'm most proud of is the players' response in the second half when things went against us. They fought really hard for each other.

"It's easy when things go against you to get frustrated and lose focus, but it fired the players up and that togetherness and strength is a key for the win.

"We know how strong we are if we stick to what we're good at. There's great things waiting for us."

Image source, SNS

Hearts assistant head coach Paschalis Xanthos: "A very positive afternoon for the team. Three goals, a lot of chances, fluid football. I think the girls started applying what we have been working on through the week.

"We need to get better at finishing all the chances we create but apart from that the team looks ready to go and compete against the good teams and we consider ourselves one of them."

Motherwell boss Paul Brownlie: "I'm disappointed with the result and the performance. I didn't think we were great.

"We were quite limited in terms of the squad which didn't help us. We faced a team that were really good and we couldn't manage that.

"We understand there's a gap, we understand and respect the quality we're up against but the challenge for us is to get closer in these games. We need to maintain the consistency in these games."

Image source, SNS

Partick Thistle boss David Elliot: "We were really, really good for 90 minutes. I think tiredness kicked in and we made a few mistakes but over the whole game the girls gave me everything.

"At 1-0 we had one rattled off the bar, Hannah Robinson got the ball caught under her feet so it probably could have been more at half time.

"We had players that cause them problems but we just ran out of legs in the second half I think."

Rangers head coach Leanne Crichton: "It was a day that probably comes with a few frustrations.

"First and foremost we're pleased with the three points. We understand and respect Partick Thistle and the opponent they would be. They're always really tough, they're well organised.

"We fell short of our standards in the first half, we didn't ask enough questions. We probably rode our luck, we could have been 2-0 down at half time but we managed to calm the nerves and the response in the second half was very good."

Image source, SNS

Hamilton Accies boss Robert Watson: "We definitely deserved a point. I thought the players were magnificent and they showed a level of maturity when City went down to 10, we didn't get excited.

"At the end of the day Glasgow City are wasting time for the last 10 minutes of the game to get a result against Hamilton Academical.

"Everyone who was at the game knows how close we were to getting something out of the game."

Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross: "It was a bit of a frustrating performance but all in all we came here for three points and that's what we've got.

"When you come and play a team like Hamilton that sit in and pack the box, and their goalkeeper has an outstanding day, it becomes very difficult at times. There's aspects we need to be much better at."

Image source, SNS

Hibs boss Grant Scott: "Another excellent goalscoring performance. Kathleen [McGovern] probably had a couple of chances in the first half she probably should have done better on but I think the link up across our font line was exceptional at times.

"We were a bit rusty in the first half but we settled into the game and were much better in the second."

Montrose manager Craig Feroz: "We've been here before, this isn't our first season. We know the start is hard, before the split is difficult but we've proved before that we have got what it takes to stay in this league.

"We'll just get the heads up, go and fight again because we've got a cup final next week."