Scottish Women's Football

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Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross: "I'm not just saying this because we lost the game, but, I thought it was poor in quality from both teams. It was really scrappy and I don't think either team deserved to win if I'm honest.

"That wasn't the normal Hibs-Glasgow City encounter that you normally see, and that's disappointing.

"We never really got started, there was no flow and that really effected us.

"It's a sucker-punch at the end. We're off to the worst possible start in the split and we need to be better and I've got every faith the players will be better."

Hibernian head coach Grant Scott: "I'm absolutely delighted, it's a massive three points for us. Glasgow City are very strong and had us pinned in.

"I feel like it's a bit of a smash-and-grab. Credit to the players for getting up the pitch at that time in the game when we'd been under the cosh.

"Our success so far has been built on our structure at the back. We're looking quite secure right now.

"We appreciate the moment, but, nothing is won or lost. It's very, very tight and there's a long way to go."

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Hearts manager Eva Olid: "It's so important at this point, starting the split we wanted to show that we're in the fight for the title.

"This week, the media didn't put us in the race for the title and we are so disappointed with that because there are still a lot of points to be played for.

"But, I have to say thank you because when someone tells me that I cannot do something, I want to do more, so thank you so much!"

Celtic head coach Elena Sadiku: "First half we were not at it in terms of intensity and pressure, we gave them too much time on the ball. I spoke about that at half-time, and things were better in the second half.

"At 2-1, we were back in it but at 3-1, we gave ourselves a big mountain to climb after that.

"There is big pressure on us from external factors, fans. We know we're the champions, we want to defend the title and I think that comes with it.

"Pressure is the best thing ever, it's s privilege. It should keep you on your toes, but I think that's something the players aren't used to yet."

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Motherwell head coach Paul Brownlie: "It was a difficult afternoon for us. We never started the game well and from there, we never really recovered.

"The energy and character we showed right until the end cannot be faulted.

"The scoreline is a tough one to take and it's a big setback for us but we need to come back stronger and that's the challenge for us."

Rangers head coach Jo Potter: "I thought we dominated the game, it was a very good 90-minute performance from us.

"We handled the pressure well. We knew coming into this game that it was never going to be an easy game, Motherwell are very deserving of their top six spot and I think they've looked really strong this year.

"But, we were excellent and we really showed our quality today. Something we've really been lacking in recent weeks."

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Montrose manager Craig Feroz: "That's a massive result for us. I asked for fight from the girls, and they gave me fight.

"The second half we dominated them well and we came away with a deserved victory."

Partick Thistle assistant manager Ross Stormonth: "We're very disappointed, that was a poor performance all round.

"We never really got going, the little bits you need to do well, we didn't do."

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Queen's Park head coach Iain Robinson: "Disappointment is the main reaction in the group.

"We knew the importance of the fixture coming in, but we didn't really compete well enough. We didn't react to second balls, we didn't provide enough of a threat and the two goals we concede are poor from our perspective.

"There's still big belief in the group, but, we realise it's going to be very, very hard for us."

Spartans head coach Jack Beesley: "We're delighted with the three points. We knew it'd be a massively important game, especially with Montrose winning.

"We controlled the game quite well, we had to soak a little bit of pressure from Queen's Park as they're fighting for their lives, but I don't think Alicia [Yates] was too troubled in goal.

"We had so many chances to pick the right option in the final third but we don't do it enough, which has been the story of our season, but we get the goal towards the end which calmed everyone down."

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Aberdeen head coach Scott Booth: "We're really happy with the performance. We dominated much of the game.

"Dundee United are difficult to play against, they started the better team but we managed to get through that phase.

"Overall, though, our football was excellent. We created numerous chances and took two of them - they were very good chances."

Dundee United head coach Suzy Shepherd: "We're disappointed not to get some points on the board. I thought we were excellent for large spells, so I'm so proud of them.

"We were so organised, we communicated really well and played to our game plan. We were outdone by two crosses, but we've created good chances and we need to start taking them."

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Not only is it a top of the table clash between Glasgow City and Hibs on Sunday, it also marks the Glasgow club's 500th SWPL game so it's a no brainer pick for game of the weekend.

It's the first game of the split and City and Hibs are joint on points at the top of the SWPL table, the former are narrowly ahead on goal difference.

A top of the table battle between these two isn't new but it hasn't happened in a while.

In fact, only once between 2013 and 2019 did City and Hibs not finish as the top two, while the pair met in a number of cup finals too, before the investment in Old Firm women's teams.

This season, Hibs have been flying under Grant Scott and have overcome each of the teams around them - most recently reigning champions Celtic.

They've got the best record in the league in their previous six games, having won every single one while opponents Glasgow City have won four, lost one and drawn one.

In their previous two meetings this term, City won one and Hibs have won the other. Before then, it was April 2024 when Hibs last beat City - a Scottish Cup match that went to penalties. Before that though, you'd have to go all the way back to 2017 for a Hibs victory over City.

One thing's for certain on Sunday - there's going to be goals. It's been almost three years since these sides last played out a goalless draw and April 2024 was the last time one of these games was decided by a 1-0 victory (in that game it went City's way).

Since then it's been goals galore for both sides - in fact they've scored seven between them in the two games this term and with a place (three points clear) at the top of the table at stake, you'd expect goals again this time out.

How to follow on BBC

The top of the table clash, which kicks off at 14:10 GMT, is live on BBC Alba as well as the BBC Sport Scotland website and app.

Later on in the day you can watch Hearts v Celtic live on the website and app, it gets under way at 16:00 GMT.

There will also be live text coverage of all of Sunday's matches available on the website and app.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Eighteen-year-old Mia McAulay is reminded of how fortunate she is on a daily basis at Rangers.

The winger is known to whinge a little bit when asked to fill up the water bottles. A tedious task it may be, but a tiny sacrifice compared to what some of her senior team-mates had to go through to get to where they are now.

Despite her minor complaints, McAulay's self-awareness is obvious and she knows she's "coming through at the right time" for a career in women's football.

She signed her first professional contract aged 16 back in July 2023.

In comparison, club captain and Scotland international Nicola Docherty was 27 when she made the switch from Glasgow City to Rangers in search of full-time, professional football.

"They're always telling me that I should feel lucky," McAulay said of the likes of Docherty and Kathy Hill.

"Only needing to fill up the water bottles each day, I'm always moaning about having to do the water bottles and they're saying that I have it lucky.

"When they tell me stuff that they had to do when they were younger, I'm like 'nah!'".

The senior players might rib McAulay, but they also provide sage advice as the youngster seeks to embark on a long career.

"When you look at our team and see how many role models there are with all their experience, it's vital." McAulay added.

"I know I could go to any of them and ask for any bit of advice that I need. They're so good with me, the older players, they're so good with the young kids, so I know if I ever need them, they've got my back."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Shannon McGregor thinks "a lot of people are underestimating" reigning SWPL champions Celtic while the midfielder insists they're "not panicking".

McGregor made the switch to the champions in the summer from Hibernian and has impressed for Elena Sadiku's side who are "enjoying the pressure".

Celtic trail joint-leaders Glasgow City and Hibs by three points but says the squad "don't want to lose the feeling" of being champions.

"I think a lot of people are underestimating us, but I don't think we're panicking, though I do think a lot of people think we are," the Scotland midfielder said at an event at Hampden.

"But we've got the belief and the mentality in the changing room to do it. We enjoy the pressure and take each game as it comes."

Having had a congested campaign with domestic duties and group stage games in the Champions League earlier in the season, Celtic's sole focus is now on retaining the league title having been knocked out in both the Scottish and League Cup.

"The players [who won the league last year] have that fire in their stomach," the 25-year-old added.

"It's encouraging and it spreads through the changing room. They don't ever want to lose that feeling again."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Take a glance at the SWPL table and you'd be forgiven for then having a quick check at what year we're in.

The SWPL has "a nostalgic feel about it," says Hayley Lauder, with old foes Glasgow City and Hibernian topping the standings.

Only once between 2013 and 2019 did City and Hibs not finish as the top two, while the pair met in a number of cup finals too, before the investment in Old Firm women's teams.

Investment which many onlookers thought would spell the end of City's time at the top of the tree. How they've been proved wrong.

"I think the media and the noise create a narrative where because Rangers and Celtic have invested, that's the end of Glasgow City," captain Lauder told BBC Scotland.

"But I think we've very much shown that Glasgow City are going nowhere."

And with serial winners, Leanne Ross and Leanne Crichton at the helm, one wouldn't expect that to change any time soon.

Lauder is one of the few players at City to have been a team-mate of the now head coach and assistant, so is there any difference to their days on the pitch?

"They're still shouting at me, just now as coaches!" Lauder added.

"That's just who they are. They're winners. They're both winners. They want the best for us and the best for the club. I think we're showing that for them this season."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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With four teams separated by three points, the SWPL has "the best title race in Europe," according to managing director Fiona McIntyre.

Glasgow City and Hibernian are locked at the top, with Rangers two points back and reigning champions Celtic one further behind as the league enters its split for the final 10 games.

Speaking at an event at Hampden promoting the top-six split, which is completed by Hearts and Motherwell, McIntyre said contemporaries across Europe "are talking about the Scottish game".

"They ask us about the split in particular, because that is quite unique to Scotland," McIntyre said.

"Not many leagues do it, so we obviously have reaped the rewards of that. The run-in tends to be super competitive because the top teams are playing against each other.

"But people are talking about the SWPL. They're asking what we've done structurally in terms of our governance, but also in terms of our competition format.

"That's part of my role, to try and advocate for Scottish football and make sure that the rest of Europe and the world are talking about Scottish women's football.

"We're just delighted that we've got an incredible run-in to look forward to, and I think we've got the best title race in Europe, I really do.

"To have, after 22 games, four clubs within three points of each other, it's unprecedented, or certainly something that I can't recall in recent memory."

Hibs and Scotland striker Eilidh Adams joins Rachel Corsie and Leanne Crichton on the latest episode of the Behind the Goals podcast.

Adams discusses Hibs' "underdog mentality" in the title race as they prepare to face fellow leaders Glasgow City this weekend, plus achieving her Scotland "dream".

Listen and subscribe on BBC Sounds

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Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross: "I thought that we started that game really well, we had a lot of control in the first half and then really disappointed with the goal we pretty much gave to Hearts at the end of the first half that allowed them straight back into the game and I think that we took control of it in the second half, we were probably the better team.

"They've gone ahead but we showed great character to come back and get the equaliser and the game management, the experienced that we showed in the extra time period is what saw us through to get the victory that we needed.

"As a kid you always want to play at the national stadium, I actually never got to do it in my career in terms of being on the pitch, I was on the bench when we played there with Scotland so to be back there with the team and have the oppurtunity to get ourselves into a final, it's going to be a great occasion and you can see the girls are excited for that already.

"There's huge games to come with the split just around the corner so we need to focus on that first and then we can look forward to the draw to see who we get in that semi-final."

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Rangers manager Jo Potter: "It was difficult, we knew that they'd [Spartans] come and make it tough for us because our previous game against them, they sat off and frustrated us, so we expected it.

"It just took us a long time to get into the game, it's stuff that we spoke about pre-match that we need to move the ball quickly, we need to shift it side to side and don't get caught too high too early, taking too many touches where they can jump out and press.

"I thought there were huge improvements from last week in terms of quality in possession, we knew we'd have the lion's share of the ball so that helped us to get confidence a little bit earlier.

"But you can see when we're good, when it clicks and we do things that we do really well individually, that has a massive effect on the team and I've said that to the players, that they need to take a little bit of responsibility to be able to know what the game needs, what they do really well and bring it a little bit early, not wait until 60 or 70 minutes."

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Motherwell manager Paul Brownlie: "It's a big achievement for the group, I'm made up for them.

"I thought the level of discipline and quality showed in the game, a big performance and game.

"It's brilliant for the players, every single game they've been good, you can see the quality in the game.

"We came out at half time 3-0 up and managed the game well and even in the second half expected a reaction, the players managed it.

"Everything we asked of them this week, they implemented real quality and I'm made up for them.

"We made the players aware of the quality that Boroughmuir had and we knew they could be a real threat, it was a tough game.

"How we handled the whole occasion, that level of discipline and the mentality within the group was different class in such a big game."