Scottish Women's Football

Daldeep Kaur
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Goalkeeper Lee Gibson is urging Glasgow City to keep their treble dream alive by winning the club's first League Cup in 10 years.

Leanne Ross' side are four points clear at the top of the SWPL but suffered their first league defeat of the season last weekend, losing 1-0 to Rangers.

The sides meet again in Sunday's cup final at Fir Park and Gibson said: "Every player wants to be a part of it. A big stadium and playing in front of a good crowd.

"It's everything that you want, the first bit of silverware that's up for grabs for the season and we've not won it in a long time so we're really excited.

"They're all their own separate entities [the league and cup] so Sunday's huge. It's a cup, it's silverware, you want to win that.

"At this club that's what you're here to do, the league is itself and Sunday is the focus.

"We've had a great season so far and we're in the cup final on merit, as are Rangers.

"You never get tired of winning. Winning silverware is special.

"In the past we've probably lifted a trophy and then it's the next day you're in training but that's just the nature of the beast in football, that things come thick and fast at you.

"We want to win everything and anything and that certainly doesn't change on Sunday.

"We're still in all competitions but we'll not look too far ahead. Sunday is obviously the main focus and once we've passed that we'll then look back at league action and then what comes after that."

Samuel Ukah
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Captain Nicola Docherty insists Rangers won't rely on past success as they head into Sunday's SWPL Cup final.

Rangers are bidding to win the trophy for the fourth consecutive season, but face a tough task against current SWPL leaders Glasgow City.

The sides met last weekend in the league, with Rangers edging victory thanks to a late penalty from Katie Wilkinson to set up a mouthwatering rematch at Fir Park.

"It's not ours until we win it," said Docherty.

"We've obviously won it a number of years and it's been great over the years this trophy, but we know that it's going to be a difficult test on Sunday.

"It's the league leaders at the moment, who are at the top on merit, and so we need to make sure that we are we're on it but we're focusing on us as well."

Now 33, the Rangers captain is one of the more experienced figures in Leanne Crichton's squad.

While Docherty believes there is "no pressure" on the younger players, she admits representing Rangers brings its own expectations.

"I love that about them, their attitudes are excellent week in, week out at training," she said.

"There's no pressure on them because I think us as a group and the togetherness we've got in the squad, we always make sure that everyone feels confident and ready for the game.

"When you represent a club like Rangers there's pressure on you straight away to win silverware.

"I know that myself, I was a fan growing up as a young kid. I always want the men to be winning as many trophies as possible as well and we're trying to emulate that on the women's side."

A three-time winner of this competition, Docherty believes there won't be much to separate the sides on Sunday.

"I just think we've obviously been working hard behind the scenes to make sure that we're relentless in both boxes and it really does come down to the small margins in cup finals," she said.

"It comes down to who wants it more, who turns up on the day, and so it'll be a really close game but hopefully we're the ones that come out on top."

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta has been speaking to the media after naming her squad for the Women's World Cup qualifying double-header against Belgium.

Here are the main points:

• Andreatta insists "we'll relish the challenge" of facing the group's top seeds, adding: "That's what this group has done from the outset."

• The head coach says the players are "hungry to be the best they can be so I know going into this window that's what they'll look to do - embrace the challenge and show what we're all about".

• On the pressure of facing a team of Belgium's quality, Andreatta says her players are "playing with high pressure and having to perform under the highest pressure" with their clubs.

• On Hibs striker Kathleen McGovern, who scored three goals in two games against Luxembourg, Andreatta says: "She's an example of the mentality among the group. She's been embraced by the senior players, they've allowed her to be herself and highlight those qualities she has."

• On Caroline Weir, who officially became Scotland captain this year, the boss says: "What I've noticed about her is that she has a real thirst to be the best leader she can be."

• Andreatta is looking forward for her first game at Easter Road and urging fans to come out in their numbers. "What I've learned about Scottish folk is we have a passion and a voice about us," she says.

• Andreatta adds: "This group just want to make you proud and give you something exciting and enjoyable to watch. There's a lot of other stuff that's not so positive and great right now but football can be that release and sense of hope and joy and we want to give that to our Scottish folk."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Lee Gibson (Glasgow City): Eventually beaten by Katie Wilkinson, but it took a controversial stoppage-time penalty to do so. Until then, Gibson thwarted everything the striker - and Rangers - threw at her on her 300th appearance for City. Didn't deserve to be on the losing side.

Lauren Doran-Barr (Hibernian): Sporting a striking pink headband to protect a cut, the Hibs defender was a standout in more ways than one as Joelle Murray's side claimed city bragging rights. With Siobhan Hunter back beside her, Hearts struggled to break down the visitors' right-hand side.

Kelly Clark (Celtic): Never mind defending, Clark is in the team for her goalscoring exploits. Her brace bookended the scoring in a five-goal thriller with Thistle... the Celtic forwards better watch out.

Leah Eddie (Rangers): A return to the starting XI for the Scotland international who has been forced to watch too much of the season for her liking on the sidelines. Leanne Crichton's defence always appears stronger with Eddie in it and she played a vital role in ensuring a clean sheet against league leaders City.

Mia Selbie (Aberdeen): The Scotland youth international marked her first start for the Dons with a goal, and one suspects it won't be her last. One of many promising and highly thought of young internationals... remember the name.

Camille Lafaix (Rangers): Here, there and everywhere in the Rangers midfield and at the heart of many of their attacks. A bright light off the bench in the past two games; made the most of her start at Broadwood.

Millie Boughton (Motherwell): Goals one and two in claret and amber and they could prove to be a priceless pair as Motherwell maintained their three-point advantage over Aberdeen, who occupy the dreaded relegation play-off position.

Francesca Ogilvie (Aberdeen): Speaking of Aberdeen, if Scott Booth's side are to avoid a play-off to preserve their top-flight status, players like Ogilvie will be key. An experienced head - albeit only 24 - who opened the scoring in a narrow though imperative win for the Dons.

Rosie Livingstone (Hibernian): Livingstone loves late goals against Hearts. But even outwith her moment of magic late in the day at Oriam, she proved a real thorn in the Jambos' side. Should have been on the scoresheet earlier when easier opportunities presented themselves, but saved her best for a lung-busting run and brilliant finish at the death.

Carla Boyce (Motherwell): Two games, four goals... not a bad week for Boyce. The play-off place might yet decided by goal difference, so Iain Robinson will be hopeful his star striker keeps a hold of her shooting boots.

Tiree Burchill (Hibernian): Replaced Kathleen McGovern after just 10 minutes, but such was her impact and influence, the Scotland striker's absence was fleetingly felt. Led the line well and kept the home defence on their toes with her neat footwork and quick turn of pace.

Image source, Malcolm Mackenzie/Hearts FC

Just two rounds of fixtures in, the SWPL split has already thrown up plenty of drama and this weekend is sure to provide even more.

With the top six playing an extra two games compared to the bottom four, they were in action midweek and produced some interesting results.

League leaders Glasgow City had to come from behind and scored a late goal at Celtic which keeps their unbeaten run going. Meanwhile Rangers were held to a 2-2 draw at champions Hibernian and Hearts picked up their second post-split victory with a comfortable win at Partick Thistle.

And those had interesting ramifications for the table. Glasgow City are still top, but Hearts are now only four points behind Leanne Ross' side with eight games to go. Celtic are then three points adrift of second and one ahead of Rangers in fourth. Reigning champions Hibs are 14 points off the top.

This weekend, things are heating up again.

There's an Edinburgh derby at Oriam as Hearts host Hibs while Rangers could dent City's title hopes if they beat the leaders at Broadwood on Sunday.

If Hearts win and City lose, the gap between first and second will close to just one point while Rangers will be just five points off the leaders.

In the bottom half, Motherwell secured a big win over Aberdeen to put a bit of breathing space between themselves and the relegation play-off spot.

But Aberdeen can drag them right back into the fight this weekend when they visit bottom side Hamilton Accies. If the Dons win, and Motherwell lose at home to Montrose, the sides will be joint on points again. But if Motherwell can beat Craig Feroz's side, there will be just one point between the pair in the fight for best of the rest.

Expect plenty more twists and turns before the weekend is out.

How to follow on BBC

Hearts v Hibs will be live on the BBC Sport Scotland website and app, it kicks off at 13:00 GMT.

You can watch Rangers v Glasgow City live on BBC Alba later on, it kicks off at 16:10.

There will be match reports of all five matches on the BBC Sport website and app and you can catch all of the weekend's highlights on SWPL Sportscene from 19:30 on the BBC Scotland channel on Monday night.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Lee Gibson (Glasgow City): A quiet day at the office for the Scotland international, but she and City will take that every day in the split. Not a great weekend for goalkeepers all round with goals galore. A steady clean sheet for Gibson against Thistle.

Linzi Taylor (Hibernian): Impenetrable at the back as Joelle Murray's side drew with Celtic. The reigning champions could have been staring at a defeat if not for her interventions. A real class act again.

Danique Ypema (Hearts): So comfortable and composed at the heart of the Hearts defence. Very assured on the ball and commanding. Managed to keep Rangers goal machine Katie Wilkinson out of the action as Eva Olid's side held on to a vital victory.

Nicola Docherty (Rangers): Perhaps an odd shout given Leanne Crichton's side lost, but Scotland left-back Docherty was the one dragging Rangers back and back again. So vocal - with a fair few deadly deliveries along the way - and incredibly encouraging of a side who looked light in confidence.

Jade McLaren (Montrose): A 16-minute first-half hat-trick, another tremendous outing for Montrose's priceless McLaren. Accies are on a real low but the Mo showed no mercy.

Erin McLaughlin (Glasgow City): Super shift in the middle of the park for City... and talk about taking a shot at goal. Cracking strike from distance for the third against Thistle. One to watch on Sportscene.

Bayley Hutchison (Hearts): A crucial second-half double to down Rangers. Proved a nuisance all evening and works really well with Georgia Timms, who could have easily been in this team too.

Emily Gray (Glasgow City): First league start, first City goal after just two minutes... a mighty fine afternoon for the youngster. If it's a sign of things to come, then City have unearthed another gem.

Carla Boyce (Motherwell): Another hat-trick hero, but Boyce's could really prove to be one of the most important as 'Well shifted three points clear of hosts Aberdeen who remain in the relegation play-off pace. Who wouldn't want Boyce in their team?

Abi Harrison (Glasgow City): Another brace for the City forward who picked up where she left off before the international break. Get the sense she will be even more key in the run-in, given Nicole Kozlova's season-ending injury.

Keri Halliday (Motherwell): Marked her Motherwell debut with the crucial opening goal in Aberdeen. Looks to be someone Iain Robinson can rely on.