Scottish Women's Football

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The SWPL is back from its winter break for the first round of fixtures of 2026. Although there's only three games, there's plenty of drama on the cards.

Rangers welcome defending champions Hibs to Broadwood on Sunday as Joelle Murray takes charge of her first league match as head coach.

Murray's tenure began last weekend with a 3-2 Scottish Cup defeat to Celtic, who coincidentally had Grant Scott in charge for the first time since his move from Easter Road.

"There was some nice stuff [against Celtic] it's just being consistent with that stuff and being consistent across the 90 minutes," Murray said after her side's Scottish Cup exit.

"Every game I want to win regardless of whether it's a game at training, a Scottish Cup game, a league game.

"We need to now get our focus on the league and really try and make the performance a complete one."

The title already looks too big an ask for Hibs - they're 13 points behind leaders Glasgow City after 14 games.

Rangers are in the mix as they occupy second place, seven points off the top and level with Hearts and Celtic.

The Ibrox side cruised past SWPL 2 Kilmarnock 6-0 to reach the Scottish Cup quarter-finals and head coach Leanne Crichton insists here side "can't take our oot off the gas".

Elsewhere, Partick Thistle host leaders Glasgow City in the Petershill derby while Celtic are away to Motherwell.

How to follow on BBC

Rangers v Hibs is live on BBC Alba - and the BBC Sport website and app - on Sunday and kicks off at 16:10.

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

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Partick Thistle will host holders Rangers while nine-time winners Glasgow City take on Armadale Thistle or Stenhousemuir in the last eight of the Women's Scottish Cup.

Celtic will face fellow top-four side Hearts if the capital club overcome SWPL 2 bottom team Stirling University.

Dundee United, who are currently fourth in SWPL 2, will travel to the winners of Aberdeen against Montrose.

Quarter-final draw

Stirling University or Hearts v Celtic

Partick Thistle v Rangers

Glasgow City v Armadale Thistle or Stenhousemuir

Aberdeen or Montrose v Dundee United

The ties will be played on Sunday, 15 February.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Meadowbank

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Grant Scott started his reign as Celtic manager with victory against his former side Hibernian in a five-goal thriller, as the Glasgow club booked their place in the women’s Scottish Cup quarter-finals.

Having been appointed Celtic boss the day after they beat his Hibs side in the league last month, it was both a calendar and personnel quirk that he would return to a blustery Meadowbank.

His former assistant, Joelle Murray, who replaced him, was in the Hibs dugout as both were in charge of their respective teams for the first time.

And the game got off to the perfect start for Scott, with Emma Lawton’s header and Morgan Cross’ fierce strike firing Celtic into a first-half lead.

But the reigning league champions showed determination to quickly pull level five minutes in to the second half with Tiree Burchill and Eilidh Adams on target.

But, parity was short-lived as Maria McAneny pounced on an error at the back to fire the visitors in front two minutes later.

Murray’s side continued to push for an equaliser, with Rosie Livingstone coming close twice, agonisingly so in the 88th minute when her close-range volley smacked the crossbar, but ultimately they couldn’t force it enough.

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Hearts centre-back Lizzie Waldie has left the club to join WSL 2 side Charlton Athletic.

In a statement, the club said Waldie "played a crucial role in the overall rise and transition of Hearts Women."

She joined Hearts in 2023 and helped the club to reach their first ever Women's Scottish Cup final at Hampden in 2024.

The defender will link up with fellow SWPL player Katie Lockwood who left Glasgow City for Charlton this week.

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Rangers have signed Greece forward Calliste Brookshire on a free transfer.

The 24-year-old joins on a two-and-a-half year deal having most recently featured for FHL in the Icelandic Premier League.

American-born Brookshire has been capped four times for Greece, scoring one goal, and becomes Leanne Crichton's first signing of 2026.

"We're delighted to welcome Cal to Rangers," said the Rangers head coach.

"She's a creative and dynamic player with great vision and the ability to make things happen in the final third.

"Her experience of playing in Iceland last season and being capped at national team level, as well as her competitive spirit, fit perfectly with the standards and ambition we have here at the club."

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Joelle Murray is "embracing" her new role as Hibs head coach as she prepares for her first game in charge.

Murray replaced former boss Grant Scott at the end of December when he left for Celtic but has had to wait to take charge of her first match.

That comes on Sunday, against her old boss, when Celtic visit Meadowbank in the second round of the Women's Scottish Cup as Scott also takes charge of his first match.

"It's definitely going," Murray told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"It has been for the last few weeks even more than normal but yeah, I'm all good, excited and embracing the new role."

Although her first game as boss comes against her old gaffer, Murray is focused on keeping things straightforward for the players.

"We're trying to make it as business as usual as we can," she added.

"The girls have been in now for two weeks and they've been absolutely excellent. It'll be a different dynamic on Sunday, but we're looking to create that normality or as close to as we can."

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New Celtic boss Grant Scott says his squad are "looking to fly" as he prepares for his first match as head coach.

Grant faces his former side Hibs in the Scottish Cup on Sunday after joining Celtic late last month.

In his time at Hibs, Grant guided the club to the SWPL title last season, their first league title in 18 years but leaves with the club sitting fifth in the top flight, 13 points behind league leaders Glasgow City.

This is the first time that Grant has joined a side mid-season, a challenge he is looking to embrace.

"It's obviously a massive football club, very honoured and privileged to be here," Scott told club media, external.

"It's been fairly hectic, obviously a lot of new faces, getting to know people, getting to know their ways.

"We don't have to reinvent things, nothing's broken here, there's just a different way we can look at a few aspects of our game, of our practice, of our working week. That's really what I've focussed on this week, a bit of getting to know the players, getting to know the staff.

"It's less about coming in and dismantling everything that's here because not in a bad spot at all [the squad].

"It's the first time I've arrived at a club mid season, so it has its own little challenges of where the squad, what the composition of the squad is, not necessarily having all the players you would've chosen to recruit or not.

"The first impressions certainly the girls seem to be on board and we're looking to fly from here."

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Hearts have signed 19-year-old forward Ellen Dolan from Irish side Peamount United.

She joins on an 18-month deal subject to international clearance and Scottish FA approval.

Dolan is a Republic of Ireland youth international and recently received her first senior call-up.

Hearts manager Eva Olid says Dolan will "suit our style of play perfectly" and added: "She has a lot of attributes, is very versatile and strong in the air.

"We were keen to add further quality to our attack, and we've certainly done that with the arrival of Ellen. I'm delighted she's here and I can't wait to start working with her."

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Midfielder Katie Lockwood has left Glasgow City to join Women's Super League 2 side Charlton Athletic.

The 27-year-old, who moved from Hearts in 2024, scored 12 goals in 51 appearances for Leanne Ross' team.

"The biggest thank you to the amazing City fans and for all your support throughout my time at the club," Lockwood said.

"From wins at Hampden to the Champions League and those unforgettable European nights at the Peasy, it's been a blast. I'll be forever grateful for all the memories we made together."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Lee Gibson (Glasgow City): Recovered well from an early mistake to prevent Hearts from taking the lead. Made two big saves late on to help City to a big win as they moved seven points clear at the top of the SWPL.

Freya MacDonald (Hamilton Accies): Was solid at the back for Accies as they held on for their first league point of the season.

Kelly Clark (Celtic): Made some vital clearances and blocks for her side as Celtic hung on for a good win against Hibs. Plays her captains role so well, constantly organising and encouraging her teammates.

Scarlett Herron (Hibs): Lovely, touch, turn and finish for her equaliser, which certainly gave Hibs a lift. The defender is enjoying a goal scoring spree, that's her third in as many games.

Hayley Lauder (Glasgow City): Such an influential player for City. Composed on the ball, making pin point passes all afternoon.

Kim Shin-ji (Rangers): Involved in everything Rangers did well against Aberdeen, including scoring the winning goal direct from a corner. Provided the assist for the opening goal, and was a general threat all afternoon.

Jo Love (Partick Thistle): Was struggling with illness but not only did she play for the full 90 minutes, she scored the winning goal for her side. Recently turned 40 years old, but is still able to perform and deliver at this level.

Laura Berry (Rangers): Also a key player for Rangers this weekend. Scored and set up a goal, as her impressive recent form continues.

Kaela McDonald-Nguah (Montrose): Grabbed an important equaliser for her side as Montrose moved four points clear in that sixth spot. Reliable goal scorer who's been key to Montrose's success so far this season.

Maria McAneny (Celtic): Scored Celtic's opening goal straight from kick off and from just over the half way line. It was an audacious and pre-planned effort which was executed brilliantly. Got to admire her willingness and ability to pull it off.

Nicole Kozlova (Glasgow City): Scored the winner for City to secure a significant win. A lovely diving header which puts city in a strong position going into the winter break.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Malcolm Mackenzie/SWPL

It's a massive Sunday of action in the SWPL as the curtain comes down on 2025 with a number of big games - none bigger than the top-of-the-table clash between Hearts and Glasgow City.

Hearts trail Leanne Ross' pace-setting side by four points heading into the final fixture before the three-week winter shutdown.

To narrow the gap to just a single point Hearts will have to do something they have never achieved - beat Glasgow City.

In their only previous meeting this season, City eased to a 5-1 victory at home. However, the past two head-to-heads on Hearts' home patch of the Oriam have ended in 0-0 draws.

Hearts - the SWPL top scorers with 45 goals in 13 games - have been flying so far this season, only losing two games, and their last defeat was that 5-1 humbling at Petershill Park in September.

City are yet to be beaten, with 11 victories from 13. A fascinating tussle awaits.

Elsewhere, bottom side Hamilton host Montrose, Rangers travel to Aberdeen, Hibs are at home to Celtic and Partick Thistle welcome Motherwell.

How to follow the action on BBC

Hearts v Glasgow City is live on BBC Alba - and the BBC Sport website and app - and kicks off at 16:10.

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.