Scottish Women's Football

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  1. Rangers dominate TOTW as SWPL title taken to final-day deciderpublished at 18:19 BST 19 May

    Amy Canavan
    BBC Sport Scotland

    SWPL TOTW

    Rowena Armitage (Hibernian): Back-to-back starts for the 17-year-old for the first time and was part of a professional performance for Joelle Murray's side. Not much she could do for the goal she conceded, tightly marked by Thistle from the corner.

    Gill Inglis (Motherwell): A true legend of the SWPL hung up her boots as Iain Robinson's side remained unbeaten in the split. Not just a superb player but a tremendous leader who has grown with the game. Rightly showered in praise.

    Emma Brownlie (Glasgow City): Kept her former team-mates at arms length in their quest for the win which would've handed them the title. Ensured Hearts forwards Georgia Timms and Carly Johns were offered little sight at goal.

    Nicola Docherty (Rangers): Led her team to their biggest win over Celtic in over a decade, as she marked 200 appearances for the Gers too. At times she's dragged Leanne Crichton's side through games, to this position now where they've forced a final-day decider.

    Jessica Husband (Hearts): The best attacking threat for Eva Olid's side who, understandably, looked to be playing with the pressure a potentially historic day would bring.

    Kim Shin-Ji (Rangers): A real Rolls Royce performance in the middle of the park. Was involved in virtually everything good Rangers done as they strolled by Celtic. A real classy performance.

    Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City): Like Husband, the South Africa international looked most threatening for Leanne Ross' side at Oriam. Their lack of cutting edge is what has cost them in the split.

    Demi Taylor (Montrose): Another goal for the forward-thinking full-back who has enjoyed another solid season in the SWPL for Craig Feroz' side.

    Hannah Jordan (Hibernian): A superb, front-footed performance at Petershill Park from Jordan who deserved a goal for her efforts. Hard to believe that's her first for the club, but it wasn't a bad one to open the account...

    Kaela McDonald-Nguah (Montrose): Scored Montrose's second-ever hat-trick in the SWPL in the thumping victory over winless Accies. A fine way to sign of a historic season for the Mo.

    Katie Wilkinson (Rangers): Three things in life are certain; death, taxes and Wilkinson scoring against Celtic. She could've matched the hat-trick she scored in last month's Old Firm here, but she'll be more than happy with the brace that keeps alive their dream of blue ribbons on the trophy next weekend.

  2. Hearts could win first SWPL title in penultimate weekendpublished at 20:30 BST 15 May

    Hearts v Glasgow CityImage source, SNS

    Hearts are edging closer to their first taste of title glory as the SWPL nears yet another dramatic conclusion.

    Eva Olid's side are four points clear at the top with two games remaining and will secure their first women's top-flight title on Sunday if they defeat third-place Glasgow City at home.

    While City are out the running seven points adrift, they can still have a say in the destination of the trophy. That's because if Leanne Ross' side beat Hearts, and then Rangers defeat Celtic in the derby, there will be just a one-point gap between the two teams heading into the final day.

    Hearts can even be crowned champions on Sunday if they lose or draw, providing Rangers slip up against Celtic.

    Before last month's 1-0 victory over City at Petershill, Hearts had lost the past three meetings between the sides. In fact they hadn't ever beaten City in the league before last month.

    But the prize for another victory on Sunday is huge and Olid's side will need no more incentive than the chance to win a historic title.

    How to follow on BBC

    Hearts v Glasgow City will be live on BBC Alba on Sunday and you can also watch the action on the BBC Sport website and app. That one kicks off at 13:10 BST.

    The Old Firm derby between Rangers and Celtic (16:00 kick-off) will be live on the BBC Sport website and app.

    There will be match reports from all of Sunday's games available on the website and app and you can watch all the highlights on Monday night's Sportscene programme at 19:30 on the BBC Scotland channel.

  3. Who made BBC's SWPL team of the week?published at 17:08 BST 13 May

    Amy Canavan
    BBC Sport Scotland

    BBC SWPL Team of the Week

    Katie Cox (Aberdeen): Not the busiest of afternoons at Balmoral for the Aberdeen goalkeeper, but holding on for a morale-boosting clean sheet with the relegation play-off to come was a huge boost for Scott Booth's side.

    Tegan Browning (Motherwell): Opened the scoring in the battle to be the best of the rest, but it was much more about her defensive performance in what was a hard-fought victory for Iain Robinson's side.

    Leah Eddie (Rangers): Great to see the Scotland international get 90 minutes under her belt in what has been a stop-start campaign. Leanne Crichton's side have missed her composure and ability at the back in recent times.

    Rachael Boyle (Hibernian): A first appearance in eight games and what a return it was from the skipper. Strolled it at left-back for Joelle Murray's side as they ended Glasgow City's title hopes.

    Jodi McLeary (Rangers): In for her goal alone... A real moment of quality from the 20-year-old who has covered a lot of positions this season for Rangers. A goal and assist back in midfield, it was a tremendous showing against Partick Thistle.

    Ciara Grant (Hibernian): Another Rolls Royce performance in the middle of the park at Meadowbank. Played a huge part in the second goal and controlled much of Hibs' play.

    Brodie Greenwood (Aberdeen): Unlucky not to come away with a goal, she has the woodwork to blame for that. Another sound performer for the Dons as they try to build a bit of momentum before their top-flight status is on the line.

    Lauren Wade (Hearts): Scorer of the winning goal that puts Hearts on the brink of an historic first SWPL title. While that's the big one, they have now secured European football for the first time, so she's in the history books...

    Georgia Timms (Hearts): And this team-mate is very much joining her there. Another goal for Hearts' star performer of the season, she just can't stop finding the back of the net. Running out of superlatives.

    Abi Harrison (Glasgow City): On the losing side but changed the game in the second half for City. Scored a matter of minutes after coming on at the break before setting up the equaliser.

    Carla Boyce (Motherwell): Fresh from scooping the club's player of the year award, the striker had to celebrate by scoring the winning goal... again.

  4. Motherwell captain Inglis to retire at end of seasonpublished at 17:39 BST 12 May

    Motherwell's Gill InglisImage source, SNS

    Motherwell captain Gill Inglis says it's a "strange mix of emotions" after announcing she will retire from football at the end of the season.

    The 35-year-old defender has spent almost two decades in the SWPL and seven consecutive seasons captaining Motherwell, driving the club to their highest league finish and two Scottish Cup semi-final appearances.

    Inglis insists it wasn't an "easy decision," but feels it's the right time to hang up her boots following the birth of her son Louie.

    "It's probably a strange mix of emotions all hitting at once," said Inglis.

    "On one hand, I'm looking forward finishing because I've always known this would be my final season, but at the same time, it's quite surreal to think that something I've done every day for decades is suddenly about to end forever.

    "It definitely wasn't an easy decision as my love for the game is as strong as ever.

    "I think when you've been involved in the game as long as I have, there comes a point where you just know in yourself that the time is right.

    "Football has given me so much and I've loved every minute, but physically and mentally, I feel this is the right moment to step away.

    "I'd also like to thank every team-mate, coach and member of staff that I've had the pleasure of working with throughout my career.

    "They've had a huge impact on me and helped shape me as a player and a person. I've been so lucky to work with some incredible people. Thank you for everything, football."

  5. Hibs forward Adams named SWPL player of the monthpublished at 16:59 BST 12 May

    Hibernian's Eilidh AdamsImage source, SNS

    Hibernian forward Eilidh Adams has been named SWPL player of the month for April after scoring two crucial winners against Glasgow City and Celtic.

    Joelle Murray's side started April with a 1-0 win over Glasgow City at Petershill Park where 22-year-old Adams netted a stunning strike from distance.

    The Scotland international proved to be pivotal again as she scored a second-half penalty when Hibs edged out Celtic 1-0 at the Meadowbank Stadium.

  6. Gibson, Timms, Wilkinson & McAneny nominated for SFWA player of the yearpublished at 15:34 BST 11 May

    Katie Wilkinson in action for RangersImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Rangers' Katie Wilkinson is nominated for the SFWA SWPL player of the year award

    Glasgow City's Lee Gibson, Georgia Timms of Hearts, Rangers' Katie Wilkinson and Celtic's Maria McAneny have been shortlisted for SWPL player of the year by the Scottish Football Writers' Association.

    Meanwhile, there are three Rangers players on the shortlist for SWPL young player of the year.

    Laura Berry, Mia McAulay and Jodie McLeary are nominated along with Lisa Forrest of Glasgow City.

    The winners will be announced on Sunday, 17 May.

  7. Will Hearts be crowned SWPL champions this weekend?published at 18:46 BST 7 May

    SWPLImage source, SNS

    Hearts are chasing down their first SWPL title - and could be crowned champions as early as this weekend.

    With three top-six fixtures remaining, Eva Olid's side have a four-point lead over Rangers and Glasgow City.

    Seeing it over the line will be no easy task for Hearts, with a visit to fourth-place Celtic on Sunday.

    Win there, though, and the title will be secured if Rangers and Glasgow City both lose. Even a draw apiece for both of the chasing teams would leave Hearts with one hand on the trophy.

    Olid, who will depart Hearts at the end of the season after five years in charge, was named PFA Scotland SWPL manager of the year on Sunday night and said it would be a "dream" farewell to win the title.

    Second-place Rangers get the top-six action under way on Sunday with a trip to face Partick Thistle at 14:00, live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

    Defending champions Hibs welcome Glasgow City at 16:00, with Hearts' away trip to Celtic kicking off 10 minutes later, live on BBC Alba plus the BBC Sport website and app.

    Hearts have won their past four games, beating Thistle, Celtic, Rangers and City to put themselves in pole position for glory.

  8. Olid on 'dream' season as Kozlova & Cruft claim PFA prizespublished at 09:50 BST 4 May

    Eva OlidImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Eva Olid claimed SWPL manager of the year at Sunday's awards

    Manager of the year Eva Olid says leading Hearts to their first SWPL title would be the "dream" finish to her time at the club.

    Olid claimed the PFA prize on Sunday night, with her side currently four points clear at the summit and just three games remaining.

    Speaking after picking up the award, the Spaniard said: "It feels amazing. I didn't expect it. When they said my name, I was full of emotion.

    "I was confident this season because we kept the same team as last season. When you keep working with the same group, it's important because they know you. They knew what I needed and what I wanted. They have been amazing.

    "[Winning the league would be] a dream. It would be the best way to finish this project we started five years ago, when the team was amateur, and end by giving the title to the club. It would be the best thing ever."

    Meanwhile, Glasgow City forward Nicole Kozlova won SWPL player of the year, with Rangers midfielder May Cruft claiming young player of the year.