Scottish Women's Football

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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New Rangers head coach Leanne Crichton has been speaking to the media after being officially unveiled at Ibrox.

Here are the key points:

• Crichton insists the immediate focus will be on winning, with the SWPL campaign starting on 17 August, adding that "you need to win and being second best is ultimately unacceptable".

• Rangers have narrowly missed out on the league title in each of the past three seasons and the former Scotland international is keen to find solutions as to why they've not managed to get over that line.

• "That's the detail I need to find," she tells BBC Scotland. "It's about the one per cents, the mentality shift to really focus on that."

• Crichton adds: "I think everybody in Scottish women's football and beyond has enjoyed that level of competition, but for us it would be about ultimately getting over the line and we know with that comes the lure of European football as well."

• The former Motherwell and Glasgow City assistant described her appointment as an "unbelievable opportunity" given "the magnitude of the job and the club" and said her coaching journey to this point comes off the back of progress over a "long, long time".

• She also believes that playing at Ibrox more consistently in the upcoming season will be "huge" and is really "proud to be the head coach that takes that forward".

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The first Edinburgh derby will be shown live on BBC Alba as Hearts host reigning champions, and city rivals, Hibs.

BBC Alba will also broadcast Aberdeen v Celtic live on Sunday 14 September, and the following weekend will see Elena Sadiku's side host title winners Hibs on Sunday 21 September, followed by Rangers v Glasgow City on Sunday 28 September.

BBC Sport Scotland will be live with all the action from Partick Thistle v Rangers on Sunday 14 September, and Glasgow City v Hearts on Sunday 21 September.

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After securing back-to-back domestic cup doubles, and narrowly missing out on the league title two years in a row, Jo Potter left Rangers on a high.

And it's fair to say Leanne Crichton will have big boots to fill as she takes over as manager of the Glasgow club.

BBC Scotland have taken a look at what Rangers fans can expect from their new boss.

Scottish knowledge

As far as the Scottish game is concerned, Crichton has been there, seen it, done it and bought the t-shirt.

During her time as a player at Glasgow City, she helped the club snag three domestic trebles in a row and reached the UWCL quarter-finals not once, but twice, in a City shirt.

The midfielder also spent time with Celtic, Hibs and Motherwell during her playing career before switching to the dugout.

The 37-year-old has also been a key player in driving the women's game forward in Scotland off the pitch and has become a regular television and radio pundit across the BBC.

International experience galore

At international level, Crichton earned 72 caps for the national team and scored three goals in those outings.

She was in the first SWNT squad to appear in a major tournament back at Euro 2017 and was selected again for the World Cup in 2019 - albeit Scotland didn't make it out of the group stage.

The midfielder continued to play up until as recently as 2020, having earned her first senior cap in 2009 following several successful years with the Under-19s.

In the dug out

Crichton's not lacking in managerial experience either, and while she's not faced the challenge of managing an SWPL side outright, she has a wealth of assistant manager experience.

She earned her UEFA B Licence in 2017 and was issued her A Licence in 2022.

After leaving Glasgow City in 2021, Crichton joined up with Motherwell as a player-coach before officially hanging up her boots the following campaign.

As part of her role at K-Park, Crichton helped the side to two successive seventh-place finishes in the top division as well as a Scottish Cup semi-final appearance at Hampden.

She returned to Glasgow City last year as assistant first team coach to former teammate Leanne Ross.

She helped guide City to a second-place SWPL finish, narrowly missing out on the trophy, as they also secured a spot in the UWCL qualifiers for the 2025/26 season.

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Striker Rio Hardy has left Rangers after two goal-laden seasons to join WSL2 side Bristol City.

Hardy moved from Durham in summer 2023 and netted 34 times in her debut campaign to help Rangers win the Women's Scottish Cup and SWPL Cup.

The English forward, 29, was again prolific last term, scoring 28 goals as the Ibrox club retained both domestic cups.

"Playing for Rangers has been some of the best days of my life, nothings beats winning trophies with your team-mates," Hardy said.

Rangers are expected to appoint Glasgow City assistant Leanne Crichton as their new head coach to replace Jo Potter, who left to manage Crystal Palace last month.

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Champions Hibernian v Aberdeen and Celtic's trip to face Hearts will be shown live by the BBC on the opening weekend of the SWPL season as part of a new three-year broadcast deal.

BBC Alba will show a minimum of 26 SWPL live games - plus at least one SWPL2 match - until the end of the 2027-28 season.

And BBC Scotland will continue to deliver live matches via iPlayer, plus the BBC Sport website and app, as well as the weekly highlights show on the BBC Scotland channel on Monday evenings.

The season gets under way on Sunday, 17 August and BBC Alba have live coverage of Hibs against Aberdeen (16:10 BST) while Hearts host Celtic (Kick-off time tbc) on iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

"We are delighted to announce the renewal of our partnerships with BBC Alba and BBC Scotland," said Fiona McIntyre, SWPL managing director.

"Both have been excellent partners of the women's game in Scotland for a number of years now, and we are delighted that fans of the SWPL will continue to be able to follow the best of the league action for the next three years."

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New arrival Alice Griffith "enhances an area of the pitch" that Rangers have been eager to strengthen this summer, as the "hugely talented" midfielder signs a two-year deal with the club.

The 24-year-old Wales international joins following the end of her contract at Southampton.

Rangers are still searching for their new manager, but women's and girls' managing director Donald Gillies said they are "thrilled" to sign Griffith.

"She is a hugely talented player who we believe enhances an area of the pitch that we have been keen to strengthen this summer," he added.

"From our very first conversations, it was clear that Alice is hungry to deliver success at this club, and we look forward to seeing her impact over the coming seasons."

The former Southampton player started her career at Cyncoed Ladies in the Welsh top-flight before a move to Cardiff Met Ladies in the same league.

A move to Charlton Athletic followed, before joining Southampton.

"I'm delighted to be here," she told club media.

"I heard [of the interest] at the start of the summer, but I had the Euros, so I was trying to put all my focus into that.

"Off the back of that, I knew that I wanted to be here and play for Rangers."

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Winger Abbie Ferguson has joined WSL2 side Southampton after leaving Scottish champions Hibs.

The 20-year-old Scotland youth international scored four goals and recorded five assists in 27 appearances last term as she helped Hibs lift the SWPL title for the first time in 18 years.

Ferguson, who started out with Celtic before spending two years at Hibs, said: "I've played in Scotland throughout my career, so I wanted to make the move [to England].

"Hopefully it will help me develop as a footballer and mature as a person - I'm really looking forward to the challenge."

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Aberdeen have signed Scotland Under-19 defender Abi Tobin on a two-year deal following her departure from Rangers.

The 18-year-old spent last season on loan with Hamilton Accies and featured in all 28 league games as the Lanarkshire side were promoted back the top flight at the first time of asking.

"She really stood out in what was a strong Hamilton side last season, something which is even more impressive considering her age," said manager Scott Booth.

"I'm really excited to work with her and develop her game, and I believe she can have a big part to play in what we want to achieve going forward."

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Defender Samantha van Diemen has departed Glasgow City for Serie A side Roma for an undisclosed fee.

Van Diemen, 23, joined City last season from Fortuna Sittard and was a standout performer for Leanne Ross' side as they finished second in the SWPL, securing Champions League football in the process.

Her last act for City came in the Scottish Cup final where she was sent off late on - when Rangers were already three goals to the good - for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.

The Dutch-born defender, who made her debut for the Dominican Republic, was nominated for the PFA Scotland SWPL player of the year award and picked up her supporters' player of the year trophy.

The centre-back made 38 appearances for City last season, scoring five goals.

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Republic of Ireland international Claire Walsh has joined Celtic on a one-year deal following the expiry of her contract at fellow SWPL side Glasgow City.

Defender Walsh, 30, joined City from Peamount United in 2021, making over 100 appearances and winning the league three seasons ago with the Petershill Park club.

She was an ever-present for City as they pipped Celtic to the title in 2023, but missed the majority of the following season through injury.

She made 15 appearances for Leanne Ross' side last term and she's keen to share her experiences.

"I'm really excited to have joined Celtic," Walsh told club media. "It is obviously a massive club.

"It's somewhere I've been many times as a fan too, so to come in here as a player is pretty cool, and I'm really excited about it.

"I'm hoping to come in, and bring what I have experienced before and help as much as I can."

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Scotland defender Jamie-Lee Napier has become former Rangers manager Jo Potter's first signing at Crystal Palace.

Full-back Napier, 25, joins Palace - who were relegated to WSL 2 last season - on a two-year deal after captaining Bristol City in the second tier.

The former Chelsea defender - who was named SWPL player of the year in 2018 after scoring 22 goals in 33 appearances for Hibs - says she "shares the club's values, goals and ambitions".

Napier will have a familiar face in fellow Scotland international Chloe Arthur, who has been at Palace since 2022.

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Former England youth goalkeeper Anna Prawer says Scott Booth's "great philosophy" was a key factor in her move to Aberdeen.

Prawer, who previously played for Chelsea and Arsenal Under-21s, joins the Dons on a 12-month deal after four years in America with Seton Hall University.

"It has been a quick turnaround from when I got back from the States. As soon as I heard of the interest, I knew what an opportunity it was, so I was sold on the move right from the beginning," said the 21-year-old.

"The manager has a great philosophy for the club, and I'm really excited to see what he can do, but also what we can do to help him."

Booth says Prawer has "all the attributes to be a success" at the Dons and will provide "real competition" for the number one jersey.

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Hibernian defender Shannon Leishman has joined fellow SWPL 1 side Motherwell on a permanent deal.

Leishman made over 150 appearances in Leith and became one of Hibs' most decorated, and longest-serving, players with four trophies and UWCL appearances under her belt.

The 29-year-old joined Paul Brownlie's side in January last year on a short-term deal and went on to make nine appearances, helping Motherwell secure their first ever top-six finish.

"I'm excited to be back at the club," Leishman told club media, external.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club last season. I knew when Paul spoke to me about coming back to the club that I would be keen to be a part of their plans for the season ahead.

"I'm looking forward to meeting the squad again and getting started at K-Park."

Head coach Brownlie added: "I'm really pleased to have Shannon back in the squad.

"Shannon is an incredibly talented and experienced footballer, who showcased her ability in the squad last season.

"To have someone of her ability in the squad and now on a permanent basis is really encouraging."

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Rangers are "in the final stages of a great recruitment process" as they look to appoint a new head coach "in the next couple of weeks, if not sooner", confirms managing director Donald Gillies.

Former England international Jo Potter departed Rangers four weeks ago after winning four cup trophies in two years at the club.

"It has been going really well," Gillies told RangersTV.

"The quality of the candidate has been excellent, really strong.

"Probably a mark of the time that we have taken actually to get to the point that we are at right now.

"I think for us it is about finding the right qualities in all those excellent candidates and resumes that we received and applying them from the context that we have.

"We are in the final stages of that process and will be able to confirm what we are going to do, hopefully in the next couple of weeks if not sooner.

"It has been a great process and it has really said a huge amount about where we are at as a women's club and really the strides that the women's game has made in Scotland that we are attracting some really highly qualified and impressive people."

Rangers will take part in their first pre-season friendly next week and kick off their SWPL campaign on 17 August against Montrose.

Gillies is hopeful of having a decision made by that point, but he will not rush the process.

"Have someone in place for first pre-season game? Yes, that would be the hope but we are not held to it," he added.

"That shouldn't go beyond the priority of making sure we get the right person."

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Glasgow City have secured an "exciting young talent" in Republic of Ireland midfielder Erin McLaughlin, who joins on a two-year deal.

The 22-year-old moves to the SWPL club after helping Portsmouth to survival in their first season in England's second tier.

"It feels great to be here," McLaughlin said: "With how positive the environment is, how successful the club has been, and after speaking with Leanne - it seemed like the right move for me."

City head coach Leanne Ross is delighted to add the international midfielder, who won the League of Ireland Premier Division with Peamount United in 2023 before her switch to Portsmouth.

"She's an exciting young talent with a great deal of potential and we're confident she'll continue to develop here," said Ross.

"Erin has proven herself in the domestic leagues in Ireland and England, and has been capped at international level.

"We're excited to see her grow in our environment and to see what she can contribute to the team."

Daldeep Kaur
BBC Sport Scotland

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Abi Harrison says Glasgow City is "the place I wanted to be" after making the move from Celtic to Petershill Park on a one-year contract.

The 27-year-old Celtic academy graduate re-joined Celtic in January after spending four years at Hibernian, winning three Scottish Cups and three League Cups, before making a move to Bristol City, where she spent six years.

"I'm delighted to be here. As soon as I spoke to Leanne Ross and Leanne Crichton, I knew it was the place I wanted to be," said Harrison.

"It is the best place that will get the best out of me and make me fall back in love with football, so I can't wait for the season to start."

Head coach Leanne Ross believes Harrison will add "value" to the side.

"I'm delighted to bring Abi to Glasgow City. She brings a wealth of experience and is a proven goal scorer at both club and international level," said Ross.

"Abi is a player I know well from my own playing career and is somebody who we believe will add real value to our squad, not just in her talents on the pitch but also with her personality off of it."

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It's been a busy day on the SWPL transfer front, with two players returning to past haunts and a Scotland youth international moving north of the border.

33-year-old midfielder Lisa Robertson has resigned for Celtic following a season's sojourn at Hearts.

The Scotland international starred for Eva Olid's side last season next to Eilidh Shore, and her good form has won her a return to Celtic on a two-year deal.

Across the city, Rangers have signed Fallon Connolly-Jackson on a two-year deal from Sheffield United.

The left-back, who turned 19 yesterday, made her Scotland under-23 debut earlier this summer and says she is excited to develop at Rangers.

Meanwhile at Motherwell, they've announced the signing of former star striker Carla Boyce, who returns after a spell at Partick Thistle.

She scored 15 goals in her final season at Motherwell before departing for the Jags in January 2024.

Paul Brownlie's side have also added Spartans defender Tegan Browning to the squad.

Another former Scotland age-grade player, she came through at Hearts before moving to the US on a football scholarship.

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Scotland midfielder Kirsty Maclean said it was "an incredibly hard decision to leave" Rangers for Liverpool.

The 20-year-old, who is a product of the Govan club's youth academy, made her first-team debut at the age of just 16 and went on to play more than 100 times.

She was part of the Rangers side that won their first SWPL title in 2022, before winning the Sky Sports Cup for the first time later that year.

Maclean, who has 10 Scotland caps, also played in a key role in the team that secured back-to-back domestic cup doubles across the past two seasons.

"It was an incredibly hard decision to leave," the midfielder said. "I think obviously being at the club for so long, it means a lot to me.

"To leave was hard, but I feel like it was the right time for me to move on to something new.

"I will miss everyone at the club so much. I said to the girls they all mean so much to me and I mean it.

"I'm leaving with the best memories and it has been the best 11 years; I couldn't have asked for a better group of girls to do it with."