Scottish Women's Football

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Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta: "It's just Caroline Weir's awareness of where pressure's coming from and she has a sixth sense almost of where her team-mates are as well. Her quality shines, that's why you see the goals that she scores and the chances that she creates.

"On the other side, she's just so focused. She's a woman possessed to drag this team and everyone with her to achieve the goal and that's what's even more pleasing. It's always the team first with her."

Scotland scorer Claire Emslie: "It's a very special moment. I don't think I've scored in about two years so it feels amazing. I can't believe I've got my wee boy watching in the stand. He was sleeping apparently, and my mum woke him up screaming!"

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Pardubice, Czech Republic

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When Kirsty Hanson became the first player to score a brace on their WSL debut for Tottenham - her third in the league in 2026 - OptaJoe, external handed her the nickname orthodontist.

The forward made the move from Aston Villa to Spurs in the summer, but due to some other eye-catching transfers elsewhere, her switch appeared to go a little under the radar. Just the way she likes it.

Despite netting a double on her first Spurs outing against West Ham, the Scotland international was left striving for more.

"It's been great," the 28-year-old told BBC Scotland of her new life in London, "but I'm very critical of myself.

"I've still got loads to come. It's just about pushing myself further and further.

"I'm far from great. I'm far from what I want to be and I think each game I'm so critical because I just want to be better.

"I want to be back on the training pitch, fix what I did wrong. That's what I do here.

"I've always wanted to be better, but also bring that experience and energy to others because we've got such a good team. Players that push me and players that I want to push as well."

Hanson has long established herself as one of the Scots' key players, and has felt the play-off pain of the past.

She was on the bench in 2022 when Republic of Ireland pipped Scotland to the World Cup, while she was front and centre when Finland inflicted more heartache two years ago in their European Championships play-off.

That hurt cut deep, but Hanson and co are keen to "not dwell on the past".

Speaking before the first leg of Friday night's Women's World Cup round one play-off in the Czech Republic - which is live on the BBC - she added: "We know what's happened. We've been frustrated, we've been sad, but that's in the past now.

"We're focused on the now and the team's in a really good place. We're focusing on us and we're just building on that positivity because we know what the task in hand is, we know what our goal is and we're just focused on that."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Pardubice, Czech Republic

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It's play-off season again for Scotland.

The women's national team have starred in this movie before, so know the score when it comes to negotiating two-legged ties. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

Two years ago it was Hungary and Finland. A couple before that, Austria and Republic of Ireland.

As their journey on the road to Brazil 2027 continues, Czech Republic are the next hurdle they have to hop, before potentially facing back-to-back World Cup bronze medallists Sweden in a round two play-off.

That's the stage the Scots have failed at in their past two qualification campaigns, but for now the focus is on setting up a mouthwatering tie with the Swedes - who are heavily favoured to get by Lithuania.

Melissa Andreatta has injected excitement, energy and experience into this Scotland side - who will return home for the second leg against the Czechs on Tuesday - and the head coach is leaning into all those qualities as she takes things one step at a time, starting in Pardubice on Friday night - live on the BBC.

"A good result is getting what we want and that's a win, putting ourselves in a good position for the home leg," the Australian told BBC Scotland.

"But at the end of the day, it's only half-time, so that's what we want.

"You don't always get what you want, but it will only be half-time and we have to go again when we go home and play in front of our fans and friends and family at Paisley.

"At this stage, it's about those moments in a game that you make the most of and that's what we're focused on.

"I'm excited to see what we can do in those moments. The possibilities are exciting, I think."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Emma Thomson (Hearts): Thrown in at the deep end as she made her debut in the Edinburgh derby. Couldn't do much about Aoife Colvill's stunning second strike, but made some important saves to help her side to a big derby win.

Bailley Collins (Rangers): Was key to the only goal against Partick Thistle as she showed great persistence with a strong run through the middle to find team-mate Eva Hendle, who crossed for the Jodi McLeary strike.

Shannon Leishman (Motherwell): Solid at the back for Motherwell in a tight tussle against Aberdeen.

Chloe Craig (Celtic): Sealed Celtic's win with a clinical spot-kick. Helped keep a clean sheet too.

Jodi McLeary (Rangers): Another big goal as her scoring form continues. Was so aware of the build-up play around her for her goal, racing into the perfect position to stroke home Rangers' winner.

Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City): Leanne Ross' side maybe weren't at their most fluent, but the South African was integral to their win. She set up a goal and came close to scoring herself, with only the woodwork keeping her effort out.

Maria McAneny (Celtic): Was a constant threat for Celtic and set up two goals, showing some tremendous skill along the way.

Aoife Colvill (Hibs): Was on the losing side, but her two goals for Hibs were really well taken. She did well to find space for her first, while the strike for the second was absolutely stunning.

Abby Robinson (Partick Thistle): Yet again, Thistle showed great endeavour against a full-time team, and Robinson was at the heart of driving that. She's full of energy and determination and was a constant threat.

Kayla Jardine (Hearts): Has started the season so well and that form continued in the Edinburgh derby. Her pace up the wing, deliveries and shots on goal are nine times out of 10 spot on. It was her effort, which was saved, that led to Hearts' winning goal.

Mariana Speckmaier (Hearts): A hat-trick in an Edinburgh derby, need I say more? She was such a livewire for Hearts and is fast becoming a key player for Andy Thomson's side.

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There is an Edinburgh derby to look forward to in the SWPL this weekend before an international break for Scotland's showdown with the Czech Republic.

Both sides have had strong starts and are locked on 13 points from six games.

Hearts, the reigning champions, are five points behind leaders Rangers, but ahead of Hibs on goal difference.

Hearts drew 2-2 last week after conceding two late goals to Glasgow City, while Hibs are on a high after their 2-0 win away at Aberdeen.

The city rivals are not only competing for points and bragging rights, with the first two derbies of the season deciding the destination of the Capital Cup.

It will be Hearts manager Andy Thomson's first taste of the fixture after he joined this summer following Eva Olid's departure. Thomson knows that it will be a tough test but insists his team are looking forward to Sunday's game.

Hibs manager Joelle Murray is no stranger to a derby after multiple meetings with Hearts as a player and manager. Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, she urged her side to "play the game and not the occasion".

Elsewhere on Sunday, Celtic host Spartans, Montrose play Partick Thistle, Motherwell face Aberdeen and Partick Thistle welcome Rangers.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Alicia Yates (Spartans): Back in goal for Spartans and made some vital saves in the win over Motherwell, including a fabulous tip over at 0-0. Had that strike gone in, it could have been a different game.

Faye Bryson (Hibs): Although not overly tested defensively, she was a real threat going forward. Her link-up play and deliveries impressed.

Jesi Rossman (Glasgow City): Scored a cracker of a goal to seal a great City comeback for a point against Hearts.

Carly Girasoli (Hearts): Was really strong in defence for Hearts, winning the vast majority of her battles. Although City eventually broke Hearts down, Girasoli was solid for her side.

Rachel Donaldson (Partick Thistle): Came off the bench as the hour mark approached and her influence and impact were clear. She set up two of Thistle's three goals against Montrose, including the winner.

Sienna McGoldrick (Partick Thistle): Netted a four-minute double to seal a brilliant comeback for her side. Trailing 2-1, McGoldrick grabbed the equaliser and then scored a beauty to wrap up the win for Thistle.

Kayla Jardine (Hearts): Was so impressive with her pace and press. A constant livewire and on the ball, she always looked to make things happen. Capped off her display with a well-deserved goal.

Yuliia Khrystiuk (Hibs): Linked up brilliantly with Lizzy Smith, who just missed out on the team of the week. The Ukraine international set up the opener and her dangerous ball in resulted in the own goal which handed her team a 2-0 win against Aberdeen.

Jodi McLeary (Rangers): Played with confidence, which showed in the execution of both her goals in the derby win over Celtic. The 21-year-old is proving to be a significant player for Rangers this season - even more impressive given her lack of pre-season.

Calliste Brookshire (Rangers): Her pace is such an asset and the full effect of that was on show as she pounced on a loose pass to set up Rangers' second goal. She was a constant threat running at her opponents, and also got on the scoresheet herself, wrapping up a big win.

Izzy Young (Spartans): Key to her team's second win of the season. Good on the counter, setting up a couple of dangerous attacks. Set up the opening goal in a hard-fought victory.

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While the Scottish Premiership takes a break for the next few weeks, the SWPL does not, and this weekend's action starts with one of the biggest derbies of all.

Glasgow rivals Rangers and Celtic meet at Broadwood for the first time this season after the latter's Scottish Cup triumph last May, but it hasn't been smooth sailing for Celtic in these fixtures.

Believe it or not, before that cup final win, Celtic hadn't beaten Rangers in the fixture since March 2024. Of the 11 games across all competitions, Celtic lost eight and drew the other three.

Last season the sides met four times in the league, once in the League Cup and once in the Scottish Cup. In the SWPL, Rangers won all four and scored 12 goals, Celtic scored just two, and both of those came in the one match.

It took a penalty shootout, which Rangers won, to separate the sides after a thrilling 3-3 draw in the League Cup semi-final and of course Celtic won the final meeting in the Scottish Cup final in May.

Not only is this an Old Firm derby, it's also a top-of-the-table clash.

Both Rangers and Celtic boast a 100% record after the first five games of the new campaign, perching them both at the top of the table with Rangers ahead thanks to a superior goal difference.

Not only will the winner of this weekend's clash, if there is to be one, take the bragging rights, they'll also move outright top of the league. If there's a loser, they risk dropping into third depending on how champions Hearts, three points adrift, fare in their game against Glasgow City later on.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Aberdeen host Hibs, Montrose travel to Partick Thistle and Motherwell are at home to Spartans before Hearts welcome City.

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Rangers are staring at elimination from the Europa Cup after losing 2-0 to Swedish side Hammarby in the first leg of their second qualifying round tie.

Elin Sorum finished at the back post to give last season's runners-up the lead just before the half hour mark in Stockholm.

The hosts also hit the bar before finding a crucial second goal three minutes from the end, when substitute Fanny Peterson struck from outside the box.

It leaves Leanne Crichton's side with a difficult task to progress at Broadwood in next week's second leg, after Sunday's derby with Celtic in the SWPL.

Meanwhile, Scottish champions Hearts will take a 0-0 draw over to Spain after they survived a late penalty scare against Real Sociedad.

La Real were given the chance to win the first leg at Ainslie Park in stoppage time when Carly Girasoli was penalised in the box.

However, Nerea Eizaguirre missed the resulting penalty as the match ended all square. Both return legs are on Wednesday 30 September.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta has been addressing the media after naming her squad for the upcoming Women's World Cup round one play-off matches against the Czech Republic.

Here are the key things she said:

• "Always exciting" naming a squad, but this selection was about "depth" and Andreatta highlighted Sam Kerr's "versatility" as a key quality to her recall after nearly a year since she was last involved.

• Andreatta's "confidence is growing" in the squad game-by-game, with an eye on their goal of World Cup qualification. She insists her players are "doing whatever it takes" and their work in between camps is "phenomenal".

• The head coach shared her "pride" at captain Caroline Weir's second successive Ballon d'Or nomination, adding she "leads in actions as well as words" - "she's a doer, not just a talker".

• While Weir moved to Lyon, Erin Cuthbert was appointed Chelsea captain and though she has not featured yet this season - after picking up an injury on Scotland duty in June - Andreatta said the midfielder is "progressing really, really well" in her plan and the national team are in constant conversation with the club.

• "It means everything," for the head coach to repay Scotland for "embracing" her, and she will "run through brick walls" to reach the World Cup for the country, her staff and players.

• On changes within the Scottish FA, particularly the appointments of chief football officer Craig Mulholland and men's head coach Sebastien Pocognoli, Andreatta said "all change is positive" and they have already had "great discussions" around "football and identity" as she shared her experiences of the past four major tournaments she was involved.