Scottish Women's Football

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Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta is confident of leading her team to their first World Cup since 2019 as they continue their qualification campaign with a double header against Belgium later this month.

The Scots won their first two games against Luxembourg - a 5-0 win in the away leg before a 7-0 victory at home.

Finish in the top three in their group and Scotland will progress to the play-offs, if they win the group they'll claim a higher seeding for the play-offs in the race to reach Brazil 2027.

"I think it's innate in me and who I am that I really believe anything is possible," Andreatta told BBC Women's Football Weekly podcast.

"It's not only about wanting to win but willing to do whatever it takes to win, that's a bit different.

"Everyone wants to win but not everybody is willing to put in the extra yards and the extra hours - this group is. When you know you've done all the work I see it as exciting, as an opportunity to showcase what we've done behind the scenes and light it up.

"Pressure is with us always but it's about learning from it and developing the skills to thrive with it. We talk about it, we recreate scenarios in training and all those experiences together is going to help us to be ready and to shine when it really counts."

After each side won their opening two qualifiers, Scotland and Belgium meet on 14 and 18 April in Group B4 both on six points.

The Scots are at home in the first game and away for the second before a double header against Israel in the summer.

"I think we're ready," Andreatta added.

"It's just going to be fine tuning things and remaining focused on us and what our strengths are to get the result that we want after the two games.

"I'm quite familiar with playing the same team back to back in a window and the opportunity that it gives us is to really consolidate our game plan, continue to strengthen the cohesion among the players and their positions.

"I just see it as a real opportunity to be even better from game to game."

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Scotland are treating their Women's World Cup qualifying double-headers like play-offs, says defender Jenna Clark.

After each side won their opening two qualifiers, Scotland and Belgium meet on 14 and 18 April in Group B4. The Scots are at home in the first game and away for the second.

In June, Scotland play Israel home and away while Belgium meet Luxembourg twice. The top three sides in the section progress to the play-offs.

"It's what a play-off would be and that's how we're treating all these games in this campaign," said Liverpool's Clark, 24.

"It definitely brings a different element - one we probably weren't used to before but I think it's important that we do get used to it because it could be crucial for us.

"We know the level of the teams in this group. It will be a challenging game but one we'll be prepared for."

Reaching next year's finals in Brazil and bringing "that kind of joy to the fans" is a big incentive for Scotland, says Jenna Clark.

Clark referenced the men's team's 4-2 win over Denmark in November, which sealed qualification to this year's World Cup in North America and Mexico.

"You can see how much that meant to the full nation and I was watching the game myself," Clark said.

"It was a great game. If we can bring that kind of joy to the fans as well then that would be massive for us."

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Katie Wilkinson was delighted her hat-trick helped "send the girls off to the international break with a smile on their faces" following Rangers' 3-0 win away to derby rivals Celtic.

The victory lifts the striker's side above Glasgow City into second place in the Scottish Women's Premier League, just one point behind surprise leaders Hearts.

With five games to go, the pressure is mounting at the top of the table and Wilkinson told BBC Alba: "I love it. That's what we play for."

Her second goal came from a superb curling free-kick.

"After training, every day I am trying free-kicks in and around the box and it's just nice to see it pay off," the 31-year-old said.

Despite boosting her own goals tally, Wilkinson said the most important thing was: "First and foremost a massive three points.

"I thought the performance was excellent. We went in 2-0 up, which was important, and saw the game out the way we did and then got that third goal to make sure those three points were in the bag."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Rachel Johnstone (Hearts): Had the difficult job of coming on at half-time on Sunday night against Glasgow City, but put in a sturdy display with a couple of superb saves to deny Leanne Ross' side in the second half and help Hearts to a huge win.

Eilidh Austin (Rangers): Another impressive performance under the belt for the teenager. Shifted into the centre of defence for Monday's Old Firm - having excelled at full-back - but neither the position nor the occasion fazed her.

Danique Ypema (Hearts): Nicked Georgia Timms shooting boots? A simply sensational goal which proved to be the historic match-winner as Eva Olid's side beat City for the first time, while moving to the top of the table.

Demi Falconer (Partick Thistle): The leader in a strong Thistle back line. Gary Holt's side more than deserved their first split point following narrow defeats to Celtic and Rangers. Falconer, as ever, played a key role in preserving the clean sheet.

Sophie Townsley (Motherwell): Two assists inside one minute as Motherwell hit Hamilton Accies for four in the Lanarkshire derby, which also signalled Accies relegation.

May Cruft (Rangers): An outrageous talent at 16. Ran the show - again - against Celtic, who just couldn't get near her. Earned the penalty too, but it's her overall composure and control which catches the eye. Rangers will be doing well to keep hold of the youngster over the summer.

Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City): On the losing side, but looked the most lively for Leanne Ross' side. Had a couple of half-chances she would have liked to have done better with and was denied what her boss called a "stonewall penalty".

Demi Taylor (Montrose): Five minutes to go, Montrose 1-0 down. Taylor saw to that, setting up Sophia Martin for the equaliser before slamming in a 96th-minute winner to all-but secure the Mo's SWPL safety.

Brogan Hay (Rangers): Back-to-back starts show a real step in the Scotland international's recovery from a long-term layoff with injury. Set up Rangers' opening goal with a nice pick-out.

Millie Boughton (Motherwell): Back-to-back braces for on-loan Hibs youngster Boughton, who is showing signs of a promising future. Curled one in straight from the corner before teeing up Jenna Penman for the Steelwoman's fourth.

Katie Wilkinson (Rangers): Another hat-trick for a frankly ridiculous goal-machine. A deep header, a fantastic free-kick and a ferocious penalty secured a pivotal three points for Leanne Crichton's side, who move just one point behind leaders Hearts.

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Head coach Grant Scott insists Celtic are not out of the Scottish title race despite "getting what we deserved" in a 3-0 home defeat by city rivals Rangers.

Rangers move above long-time Scottish Women's Premier League leaders Glasgow City, one point behind Heart of Midlothian, with Celtic six adrift of the Edinburgh outfit.

"There's plenty to play for," Scott told Celtic on X. "Nothing's won or lost today.

"You are seeing teams dropping points all over the place. So we need to get back on it.

"There's five games to go. You just need to put a good run together and you'll have a very good chance, but we're certainly making it very difficult for ourselves at the moment."

Scott conceded that Rangers deserved their victory and blamed "very big errors" from his own side.

"We've never got at the pace of the game," he told BBC Scotland. "We never got close to Rangers.

"They managed to dominate us and that's very disappointing.

"Very difficult one for us to take. I think we've let ourselves down badly today with that performance.

"We've probably got what we deserved today. We weren't at the level of the game at all for whatever reason and that's for us to unpick now."

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Leanne Crichton paid tribute to her Rangers side for a dominant 3-0 derby win away to Celtic despite having to field "a makeshift backline".

"If you look at players who have come in and having played a lot of minutes - Eilidh Austin has played excellently well at full-back all season and played at centre-back for us today," the head coach told BBC Alba.

"Jodi McLeary, whose been excellent in the middle of the pitch, goes back into full-back. I know she's done that at points this season, but there were bits of the puzzle we were having to put together to make sure we got it right."

A victory thanks to hat-trick from striker Katie Wilkinson pushes Rangers above Glasgow City into second spot in the Scottish Women's Premier League.

"It helps the moments of quality at the top of the pitch," Crichton said. "The moments of pressure Katie has dealt with so well this season."

The head coach also praised midfielder May Cruft - and not just for earning the penalty from which Wilkinson completed her hat-trick.

"Sixteen but runs the show in the middle of the pitch and the number of fouls she had to bounce back up from today," Crichton said.

"Teams are all over her, but she's handling it so, so well."

However, Crichton thought "everyone was a nine out of 10 today" in Hamilton.

"We've had to put in a real shift to get the job done," she said. "Even at 2-0, it is a dangerous scoreline and Celtic have players who can hurt you and get them back in the game.

"What we wanted from us today was a really controlled performance and I think we got that."

Rangers have won twice in the league after losing the Sky Sports Cup final to City.

"Disappointed with the cup defeat - we were involved in three competitions up until that final and we feel we still have a bit more to give and we look forward to the next five games," Crichton added.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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There could be a new SWPL leader come Sunday evening as top two Glasgow City and Hearts go head to head.

City have been at the summit since the end of September when they beat Rangers to replace them as leaders.

Before the split, Leanne Ross' side hadn't lost a single game but in the four matches since they have only won one and suffered back-to-back defeats to Rangers and reigning champions Hibernian.

It took Hearts a few games to get going this season and after defeat in their opener, they only lost five of their next 20.

It was almost two years ago that Hearts picked up their first-ever victory over one of the 'big three' when they beat Rangers 1-0. Since then they've defeated Celtic three times. The one team they've never managed to beat though? Yup, Glasgow City.

If they are to set that record straight, this weekend would be the perfect time to do it. Secure the three points and Hearts will go top with five games remaining.

They'll need to be wary of the two Glasgow sides below them though. If Hearts lose on Sunday, Rangers can go above them with a derby victory over Celtic on Monday night.

If Celtic win Monday's Old Firm clash, they'll be a point above Rangers.

With the top four separated by just four points, there are permutations galore - but if Hearts can get to job done at Petershill on Sunday evening they'll be in the box seat for the title.

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Glasgow City goalkeeper and co-captain Lee Gibson: "It is always nice to get your hands on silverware and it's a while since we've been able to do that in cup competitions.

"It is great we are in all three competitions. We've got our hands on one and we still have two to go, but we'll enjoy tonight and get back to league action on Wednesday.

"It is really good for momentum for us. We were really disappointed last week [losing to Rangers in the league] - we thought we were terrible and so far away from the performances we've been putting in."

Glasgow City match-winner Lisa Forrest: "I am just so buzzing to say that we've won it and to get it over the line.

"All my team-mates are on at me for not shooting enough and I just saw the goal and just thought let's see what happens and thankfully it went in.

"It is credit to the full team today. I thought it was a really good performance.

"We weren't happy with the performance last week, so to come here today, it's amazing."

Glasgow City defender and co-captain Amy Muir: "It is what you want to do as a captain, lift trophies and win silverware and obviously to have the chance to go up there with Lee and do that is amazing.

"I think it was well-deserved today and I'm really proud of everyone.

"It's been a long time since we have lifted one of the cups and it's massive for the club.

"It is great looking back at what the club have done in the past, but it is about building our own success and hopefully that sets us up for the rest of the season."

Daldeep Kaur
BBC Sport Scotland

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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."