Scottish Women's Football

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Captain Caroline Weir played down her first international hat-trick as she focused on Scotland's five-star performance against Luxembourg to start World Cup qualifying.

Weir scored three of the five goals Scotland knocked past their hosts as they got their campaign off to the best possible start.

"It feels really nice and it's great to score but getting the three points is the most important thing," she told BBC Scotland.

"Coming away from home, first game of the campaign, we wanted to get off to a fast start and we did that.

"Five goals, clean sheet, happy with that and we move on to Saturday [Luxembourg at home].

"I'm just focusing on helping the team. I play an attacking role and helping create things, that's what I'm here to do."

The 5-0 win was also head coach Melissa Andreatta's first competitive game in charge of the side.

In previous friendlies against similarly-ranked lowly opposition, Scotland have come a little unstuck. That was not the case in Luxembourg.

"Tonight was about finding a way to win," Weir said. "The conditions were a bit tricky but the team played well considering. Really organised, full of confidence.

"We've done a lot of talking about this campaign, for a whole week we've prepared. We were ready to go, we wanted to hit the ground running and we did that. I'm really proud of the team."

"It's just a start, we know that, but it's a great foundation to build on."

On her favourite goal of the three, she added: "It's got to be the free-kick. I'll take any goal for Scotland of course, but I practise free-kicks so I was happy that one went in.

"We focus a lot on set-pieces because we have a strong threat there, delivery wise and aerial wise. Every set-piece is a good chance for us."

Image source, Scottish FA

Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta: "Feels good, the start we wanted, positive from the outset.

"There were some areas of our game we wanted to work on, we got to do that. Now it's all about recovery and making sure we're ready for game two.

"The most pleasing start is we wanted to put in a 90-minute performance and we saw that tonight, both sides of the ball. Goals in one end and stopping them at the other.

"There's learning moments as well, we're always striving to be better. We'll look at those things and work on them in training and get ready for the return match at home."

On the set-piece threat, Andreatta adds: "It's important that people's hard work is recognised and I'm lucky to have a team of great staff, an outstanding performance staff, operational team.

"I'm so fortunate that are giving it their all, just like the players.

On Caroline Weir: "Class. She's a classy person, and a classy player as well.

"It's only game seven. The thing about football is it's always changing, we've had the opportunity to evolve. There's lots of individuals who will feel positive about their contribution to the team effort.

"This group are always hungry for more, and they'll want to get back to training."

Melissa Andreatta revealed an inspirational message from men's head coach Steve Clarke as Scotland women prepare to start their World Cup qualifying campaign against Luxembourg on Tuesday.

Watch Scotland's opening World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg (18:30 GMT) live on BBC Scotland, iPlayer & BBC Sport website & app

Read more: Your guide to Scotland's 2027 World Cup qualifiers

Image source, SNS

Rangers midfielder Jodi McLeary has been added to Melissa Andreatta's Scotland squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

The 20-year-old replaces Glasgow City's Amy Muir for the double header against Luxembourg.

McLeary had been part of the national team's under-23s squad and Hibernian's Hannah Jordan will replace the midfielder.

The Scots travel to Luxembourg for the first leg on 3 March before the return leg at Hampden on 7 March.

Image source, SNS

The SWPL have confirmed the fixtures for the split and it's all heating up to another exciting final day of drama.

The split officially kicks off on Sunday 15 March following the international break as the league divides into a top six and a bottom four.

After the league was cut to 10 teams last season, the league has kept the top six that was in place for the 12-team league. That means the top teams will play each other twice for an extra 10 games while the bottom four will play an extra eight games.

And once again it's all leading to final day drama.

The teams in the bottom half will play their final game on 17 May and the standout fixture is Motherwell v Aberdeen. Things could look very different come the final game of the season but as it stands the pair are joint on points and fighting it out to avoid the relegation play-off spot. Could that final game become a relegation play-off decider?

The top half will end on 24 May and supporters are being treated to two massive games.

Defending champions Hibernian host Edinburgh rivals Hearts while current league leaders Glasgow City are at home to title challengers Rangers. Elsewhere, Grant Scott's Celtic are at home to Partick Thistle.

If previous seasons are anything to go by, the SWPL winner will likely be decided in one of these games.

Image source, SNS

Scotland captain Caroline Weir has been talking to the media before the national team's World Cup qualifying double-header against Luxembourg next week.

Here are the key points from the press conference:

• Weir described being handed the captaincy by head coach Melissa Andreatta, as "the honour of my career". She said it had been an honour earning each of her caps so far but that the new permanent role had her "humbled and excited".

• The midfielder said despite having deputised for Rachel Corsie in the past, it was a surprised to be picked by Andreatta after the head coach assessed her options. Weir said it was "It was quite an emotional moment and one my family are very proud of".

• She has a lot of targets as captain and as a player but reaching the World Cup is "top of the list".

• Weir expects a tough campaign, with games against Belgium, Israel and Luxembourg, saying: "It is going to be tough. These campaigns are always tough, as we've seen in the past but I think we've put in a lot of ground work and we come into these camps well-prepared up to this point.

• The captain says the squad is "really motivated", knows they need to be "at their best" and feels fresh under Andreatta's management.

• After missing out last time, Weir said there's determination in the squad but they won't let previous failures carry a weight. "We have to be careful not to dwell on that too much but at the same time use it as a bit of motivation. I don't think we need those past campaigns to drive us on."

• She reflected on her experience in 2019, saying as a young player she had "a different role" and that "having qualified for a Euros and a World Cup before that, I maybe thought this was how it was going to go - each major tournament, we would be there".

• Weir said she has matured as a player and a senior figure in the squad and wasn't thinking about this as a last chance to lead the team to a World Cup. "I'll be 31 this year, but I feel good physically. Probably the best shape I've been, mentally good. 2027 is as far as I look now."

• She also reflected on watching the men's team qualify for this year's finals alongside a Danish teammate while on club duty with Real Madrid, saying it was "amazing" and "so cool to watch".

• And Weir plans to travel to watch the team in action against Brazil this summer, saying she loves our national teams doing well at anything.

• Succeeding in leading Scotland to the World Cup would "Be everything for me. Of course you think of that image. There's no higher honour playing for your team and then leading them out at a World Cup. When you are running round your garden, that's what you think of. Would be the absolute highlight of my career."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Lauren Perry (Montrose): Even though she conceded two goals, Lauren Perry prevented Montrose from conceding a few more certain goals as they just missed out on what would have been a historic top six finish.

Tara O'Hanlon (Celtic): Her first Celtic goal and at a crucial time too, the defender restored the host's two goal advantage after Hearts had pulled one back.

Kelly Clark (Celtic): Set up Celtic's first and last goals, not bad for a centre-back.

Addie Handley (Partick Thistle): Scored a goal at a crucial time to put Partick Thistle ahead at the break in a must-win game.

May Cruft (Rangers): Set up Mia McAulay for Rangers' opener and has been so impressive for Leanne Crichton's side this season, hard to believe she's only 16.

Amy Anderson (Glasgow City): Proving to be an important player for Leanne Ross' side as they continue their push for the title and popped up with a goal in their 4-0 win at Motherwell.

Sienna McGoldrick (Partick Thistle): Scored with the last kick of the game to book Thistle's spot in the top six.

Rosie Livingstone (Hibernian): Feels like there's not a game that goes by where Livingstone is not involved in the goals in some capacity. She set up two of Hibs' three for another important win.

Josi Giard (Hamilton Accies): Scored the opening goal in what looked to be a hard-fought point for Accies but it wasn't meant to be. The striker will be so important as Accies look to survive in the SWPL.

Kathleen McGover (Hibernian): The Hibs striker doing what she does best - scoring goals. Another two for her on Sunday afternoon in an important win.

Saoirse Noonan (Celtic): The Celtic striker popped up with a hat-trick in a massive win for Grant Scott's side that moved them above Hearts in the SWPL table.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Colin Poultney/SWPL

It's the final round of fixtures before the SWPL splits in half and there's still one thing to be decided - who takes the final top six spot?

The league was reduced from 12 teams to 10 for the 2025/26 campaign and, as a result, the teams finishing in the top six will play each other twice while the sides in the bottom four will also play one another twice.

And five of the teams competing in the top half following the split have already been confirmed - Glasgow City, Hearts, Celtic, Rangers and Hibs - but there's one final spot up for grabs and that will be decided on Sunday.

Partick Thistle were four points behind Montrose before their win over their top six rivals two weeks ago - a result which left Thistle just one point adrift of Craig Feroz's side heading into the final game.

So there's two games to keep a close eye on but things are looking slightly more favourable for Gary Holt's team. They play bottom side Hamilton Accies while Montrose have to visit title challengers Rangers.

If Thistle win and Montrose lose, Thistle are in the top six. If Montrose are to pull of a shock at Broadwood and pick up three points, they'll be guaranteed that top six spot no matter what happens in Thistle's game.

Elsewhere Aberdeen host Hibs, while league leaders Glasgow City travel to Motherwell and Celtic are at home to Hearts.

How to follow on BBC

Celtic v Hearts is live on BBC Alba - and the BBC Sport website and app - at 16:10 GMT on Sunday.

There will also be match reports from all five games on the BBC Sport website and app and you can watch highlights on Monday night on BBC Scotland from 19:30.

Image source, SNS

Montrose thumped Dundee United 5-1 to reach the Scottish Women's Cup semi-finals for the first time.

Louise Brown got the top-flight hosts off the mark after just 11 minutes and further goals from Neve Guthrie, Sophia Martin and Georgia Carter had them well in control by half time.

Robyn Smith replied for the SWPL2 visitors, but Martin restored the four-goal advantage on the hour mark as Montrose set up a semi-final with holders Rangers.

Celtic face Glasgow City in the other semi, with the ties scheduled for 2/3 May.

Montrose had unveiled Harriet Holden as their new signing from St Andrews University before kick-off and the former Falkirk player made her debut in the closing minutes.

Image source, SNS

Holders Rangers and city rivals Celtic and Glasgow City progressed to the semi-finals of the Women's Scottish Cup with wins on Sunday.

Rangers won 8-0 away to Partick Thistle, with Laura Berry scoring a hat-trick, Katie Wilkinson netting twice and Nicola Docherty, Kathy Hill and Leah Eddie also on target.

Last season's beaten finalists Glasgow City scored twice in the first half at home to Stenhousemuir, who could not recover. Sofia Maatta and Abi Harrison were on target in City's 2-0 win.

And Celtic got the better of hosts Hearts in a seven-goal encounter that went to extra-time. Morgan Cross gave Celtic the lead, Kayla Jardine levelled but Emma Westin had the visitors back in front before the break.

Georgia Timms' equaliser forced an additional half-hour and Hannah Luke and Emma Lawton set Celtic on course for the last four before a late consolation from Hearts' Bayley Hutchison made it 4-3.

The other quarter-final tie between Montrose and Dundee United was abandoned.

Image source, SNS

Rangers full-back Eilidh Austin has been named the SWPL player of the month for January.

The 20-year-old provided an assist in the 2-1 win over reigning champions Hibs and also helped Rangers to a 1-1 draw against leaders Glasgow City.

That made it eight league games unbeaten for Leanne Crichton's side, who are third in the table, five points behind City.

Rangers visit Partick Thistle in the Women's Scottish Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Calum Mackenzie/SWPL

The SWPL goes on pause this weekend and in its place, four intriguing Scottish Cup quarter-final ties await.

Juiciest is the all-SWPL tie between Hearts and Celtic, who are just two points apart in the league table.

The familiar foes have met once this season, in August, when Celtic were 2-1 winners. Last term they played each other four times and each won two.

There should be little to separate the sides again on Sunday at Oriam.

That's not the only all-SWPL tie of the weekend. Top-six hopefuls Partick Thistle host title challengers Rangers and are looking to cause an upset.

While Gary Holt's Thistle will be buoyed by their win at Montrose on Sunday - which kept their top-six hopes alive - Rangers are the holders and will be determined to defend their trophy.

There's an extra incentive for Thistle in this one too - revenge. Back in 2024, led by Brian Graham, the Glasgow club were on the wrong end of a 5-1 defeat in the SWPL Cup final to Rangers.

Elsewhere, Montrose host SWPL 2 side Dundee United while Glasgow City welcome the only Championship team left in the competition - Stenhousemuir.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Lee Gibson (Glasgow City): Although the City goalkeeper didn't keep a clean sheet, Gibson made an incredible save to deny Celtic a late winner.

Maddi Wilde (Celtic): The right-back was thrown on for her first Celtic appearance in the first half against league leaders Glasgow City after an injury to Emma Lawton but the 22-year-old didn't look fazed by the occasion. A solid debut as her side picked up a vital point.

Lana Golob (Glasgow City): A solid presence at the back for the league leaders and didn't do much wrong.

Li Mengwen (Rangers): A goal and an assist as Rangers thrashed Hamilton. Can't ask for much more from a defender.

Jenna Slattery (Hearts): The midfielder had a lot of fun for Hearts, scoring two and setting up another as her side thumped Aberdeen to move up to second in the table.

Isla Taylor (Partick Thistle): Scored what proved to be the winning goal against top-six rivals Montrose as the race for that remaining spot goes down to the final pre-split game.

Kirsty Morrison (Hibernian): Netted the opening goal and set up the other in Hibs' 2-0 win over Motherwell.

Maria McAneny (Celtic): The winger delivered a wonderful cross for the equaliser and was denied a spectacular free-kick goal by the palms of Lee Gibson. Her workrate was off the charts all afternoon.

Morgan Cross (Celtic): The striker scored the equaliser and didn't stop running until the final whistle, an important player for Grant Scott's side.

Carly Johns (Hearts): The opposite of her team-mate Slattery, Johns scored one and set up another two in an massive win for Hearts.

Laura Berry (Rangers): A first half hat-trick that included two goals in the space of a minute, how could she not make the team of the week?