Scottish Women's Football

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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"Two wins."

Rachel Corsie isn't asking for much from her final week of football.

The Scotland captain will retire once Nations League matches against Austria and Netherlands are out the way, and in the spirit of "slowing the week down", Corsie's full focus is on the games at hand.

A win by two clear goals on Friday against Austria at Hampden, who beat the Scots 1-0 on matchday one, would give Melissa Andreatta's side a chance to preserve their League A status, should the Austrians subsequently lose to Germany.

It's all the motivation the retiring 35-year-old needs.

"Two results that keep us in Group A, I think that's the collective ambition," the defender said.

"Selfishly, my own ambition and motivation is to be here and give everything on the pitch, off the pitch, at every opportunity because I think the result on Friday is one we can get that puts us in a good position where we can be on the front foot.

"We can be in control and then we lead ourselves into Tuesday which, if we get a good result on Friday, becomes a game where you relish that a little bit more."

As if the former Glasgow City centre-back needs any greater incentive to enjoy this week, though.

"I'm trying to slow down the days. I'm like we're already at Tuesday lunchtime," she added.

"Everyone says it hits you after, so I'm sort of braced for that but I'm just trying to be here and make it as normal as possible.

"You have to know that it can't last forever. I'd love it if it could but it can't and now's the right time."

Captain Rachel Corsie explains why she will retire from football next week after Scotland's Nations League double-header against Austria and Netherlands.

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Departing captain Jo Love said her side's Scottish Cup final performance "wasn't worthy of a Glasgow City" as they slumped to defeat against Rangers.

The midfielder was an unused substitute as Leanne Ross' side struggled to lay a glove on the domestic cup double winners.

It was a disappointing end to Love's 14-year association with the club, who she won 21 major trophies with and the 39-year-old is "unsure" what the future holds.

"I just don't think it was a performance that was worthy of a Glasgow City shirt," she told BBC Scotland.

"That was across the board. We didn't put enough into it, so we didn't get enough out of it and Rangers are probably rightly deserved winners today.

"I'm unsure what's next for me. I'm going to have a bit of a break over the summer and then one, see if my body will cope with playing again next season and two, see if anyone wants me, then we'll decide from there."

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Tegan Bowie has signed a contract extension with league champions Hibs, keeping her at Meadowbank until the summer of 2027.

The 21-year-old started 26 league games as Grant Scott's side lifted their first SWPL trophy in 18 years.

The winger also scored five goals and provided six assists across the SWPL campaign.

"We're delighted to secure Tegan for another two years," the manager said.

"She's an exciting player who brings real attacking flair and freedom to our squad, the exact kind of player I like in my teams.

"I'd challenge her for more goals and assists but her long-term aim should be the Scotland A squad, that's how good she is.

"Despite being around for ages, she's still one of the best young talents in Scotland, so it's brilliant that she's staying here at Hibs."

Bowie, who came through the Hibs academy, spent time with Celtic before returning to the Edinburgh outfit in June 2023 and has gone on to make 65 appearances.

"I'm delighted," Bowie said of her new contract.

"It was never in doubt that I was going to sign. I'm just very happy.

"We have a good group of staff here that drive us to be better every day. It helps massively."

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Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross: "It was tough. Unfortunately, we didn't show up today in terms of the way that we wanted to play, the way that we have played all season, I didn't see that from my team at all today.

"So that's probably the overriding factor for me in terms of we didn't deserve to win the game.

"We've only got ourselves to blame in terms of how we approached that game today. I was actually lost for words in terms of what we actually produced today.

"We never passed the ball, but again, that goes back to playing a team against Rangers that are able to go and press you high up the pitch, and I don't feel like we won any duels at all today, either.

"We were outfought all over the pitch, and that's the biggest disappointment for me, because as I said, I didn't see it coming in terms of the way that we've been playing recently."

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Spend five minutes with Rachel Corsie and it will become apparent she loves nothing more than representing Scotland.

The captain, who has represented her country 154 times and led them out at the 2019 World Cup, will retire from football following one final week in international camp.

The defender has had a Scotland return at the forefront of her recovery from a knee injury which severely hampered her club-season with Aston Villa and kept her out of international selection since July.

The former Glasgow City centre-back, who has the chance to pull on the dark blue jersey at Hampden one more time on Friday against Austria in Scotland's penultimate Nations League A game, says playing for her country is "the best thing I've ever done in my life".

"Without doubt, the best thing I've ever done in my life is playing and getting to represent my country," she said.

"There is nothing I've experienced in sport like that. That's been something for me that I'll treasure and take with me for the rest of my life.

"There's something special about being Scottish. I think it has been the one thing that's been the light that I've needed at times to keep going, to want to keep pushing.

"I'm just so delighted that I'm going to be included, I get to be involved, and I'm looking forward to it."

Aberdeen-born Corsie represented Scotland at the two major tournaments they have reached and noted qualifying for the World Cup after a win in Albania as "one of her favourite moments".

"One of my favourite moments and the moment I think was the most euphoric, that brought the biggest joy, was when we qualified for the World Cup in Albania," she added.

"I have like a very vivid visual still in my head of just the moment the referee blew for full-time. Those feelings are just unmatched.

"You wouldn't have dreamt of playing at a World Cup when I was a kid because you just didn't know that was a thing.

"My career has definitely surpassed everything I thought it would, because I don't even think I thought what I've done was even possible. It certainly wasn't possible when I started."

Rangers run out 3-0 winners in the Women's Scottish Cup final against Glasgow City.

Kirsty Howat scored twice as Rangers defended their Scottish Cup title and earned successive cup doubles as they overwhelmed Glasgow City to end their season on a high.

Rangers fans, Glasgow City fans, and everyone else, we want to hear from you after that final. Where did it go wrong for City? Just how dominant were Rangers?

Give us your views on the cup final here.

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Rangers head coach Jo Potter says it "was a perfect response" to missing out on the league title last weekend.

"It doesn't dismiss what happened last week, but it helps in everything we've done," she tells BBC Scotland.

"It shows we had a point to prove and wanted to play and win in a certain way. It was an excellent performance and an excellent win for us.

"I wasn't surprised by how we were playing. We were excellent and it showed, on our day, no-one can handle us and we definitely proved that today."

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Rangers striker Jane Ross, who played her last game in the cup final, tells BBC Scotland: "It's amazing, finishing on a high is all I could ask for.

"To lift a trophy with this group of players, I'm ecstatic today.

Striker Katie Wilkinson, who played a part in all three goals, tells BBC Scotland: "The aim for us was to win the game.

"I love scoring goals, I love assisting and contributing, we were able to put three past them, probably could have been a little more.

"The aim was to win, leave Jane on a high, and we did that."

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Rangers scorer Mia McAulay tells BBC Scotland: "We know what we want to do in these games. We had to start good and we got the first goal. I think that kicked us off.

"I think we dominated the whole game, I think we could have won about seven or eight nil.

"We probably need to be more clinical, but we've won it at the end of the day."

Two-goal Rangers striker Kirsty Howat tells BBC Scotland: We knew we had to come here and put on a performance that we can be proud of that one today

"We felt in control, which is what we came here to do. We've not done that enough this season, but when we're on it, we're on it. Today, we were all brilliant across the pitch."

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Women's Scottish Cup final: Glasgow City v Rangers

When: Sunday 25 May Where: Hampden Park, Glasgow Kick-off: 14:00 BST

Coverage: Watch live on BBC One Scotland and BBC Sport website & app

Departing Glasgow City captain Jo Love will consider whether to continue her playing career after the Scottish Cup final on Sunday.

The Hampden showpiece against Rangers is the 39-year-old's final game for City but she is unsure what the future holds.

"I'm not sure whether I would want to stop at this point," Love said. "But we'll see if my body agrees or not with me.

"My contract is finished at the end of this season. I'll need to sit down and see what next year brings."

Love feared her career was over when she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury aged 36. It took the midfielder 782 days to recover, returning to play in January last year.

"I can't believe I'm here and I'm really privileged to still be in this situation and being able to fight for this trophy on Sunday," she said.

"I suffered a few injuries after I had done my anterior cruciate ligament as well. It probably took me a bit longer to recover than it's taken other players who are younger than me."

Love, who is Scotland's most capped player having made 191 international appearances, is eager to add to her honours before she thinks about what lies ahead.

"I was told earlier that I've won 21 trophies, so to have 22 would be a great privilege. It never gets tiring winning trophies," she added.

City finished second in the SWPL, securing a Champions League place, but Love says rounding things off with a Scottish Cup victory would be a fitting end to the campaign, if not her career.

"We've had a successful season," she added. "As a whole we've deserved to get something out of this season. To lift that cup would be just rewards for us."

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Women's Scottish Cup final: Glasgow City v Rangers

When: Sunday 25 May Where: Hampden Park, Glasgow Kick-off: 14:00 BST

Coverage: Watch live on BBC One Scotland and BBC Sport website & app

This isn't the one either want to be relying on, but it could be the one that effectively saves their season.

Glasgow City have Champions League football to look forward to next term, but are trying to avoid back-to-back seasons without silverware.

Rangers have the League Cup in the cabinet but lost out on the SWPL title and European football, so are vying for a domestic cup double once more.

So, who's in better shape to salvage their season at Hampden in the Scottish Cup final.

Former Scotland goalkeeper and co-commentator for Sunday's game, Gemma Fay, believes "the momentum" lies with her former club City.

Leanne Ross' side comfortably saw off Hearts in the last league game of the season after effectively waving goodbye to their title hopes the week prior in a 2-2 draw with eventual league champions Hibs.

The nine-time Scottish Cup winners were unbeaten in eight of their 10 post-split fixtures, though did suffer defeat to Rangers.

However, Fay favours her old side to extend their record-breaking run in the competition.

"You've got Glasgow City going for their 10th title while Rangers are the defending champions," said Fay on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Then you put the league context against that, Rangers losing to Hibs last week.

"They went into that game on a treble. They left not in Europe and with only a League Cup to show. Now, could you say this could rescue their season?

"The fact they're not in Champions League football is huge, but a win on Sunday would ensure they go out on as much of a high as they can, especially after that disappointment last week.

"You'd have to say that in terms of form, Glasgow City are the form team.

"If you were asking me who could potentially edge that, the momentum is with Glasgow City at this moment in time, so they probably edge it in terms of favourites going into the game."

Sunday, 26 May 2024.

One week after losing the SWPL title on goal difference, Rangers rocked up to Hampden hoping to ease the pain by sealing a domestic cup double.

This Sunday, 25 May, they'll be hoping to do the same thing.

Jo Potter's side lost out on the league - and Champions League football - with defeat to Hibs last weekend. A win at Ibrox would have kept them on-track for the treble, but instead they finished six off Grant Scott's side.

Like last season, the Rangers manager says her side "cannot sulk" as they look to add to their Sky Sports Cup win.

They were heavy favourites last term against a Hearts side making their first appearance in a major final. Their opponents this time around are not so inexperienced.

Nine-time winners Glasgow City not only know a thing or two about trophy lifts, but come into the final in fine form and on a high from securing that second Champions League spot.

City went without silverware last season, they'll be eager to get their hands on some this time around...

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Women's Scottish Cup final: Glasgow City v Rangers

When: Sunday 25 May Where: Hampden Park, Glasgow Kick-off: 14:00 BST

Coverage: Watch live on BBC One Scotland and BBC Sport website & app

Captain Jo Love will leave Glasgow City after Sunday's Scottish Cup final, ending her 14-year spell at the club.

The 39-year-old, who has made nearly 300 appearances for City and scored 99 goals, says "it's time for everyone to start something fresh".

The midfielder has won 21 major honours with City, including 11 SWPL titles, and took over from current head coach Leanne Ross as captain in 2021.

"It's time for everyone to start something fresh and to see what the next challenge will bring," Love, who is Scotland's most-capped outfield player, said.

"I have stayed at this club for so long because I love the people here. To have experienced so much success with them is something really special."

Love will have the chance to end a trophy-laden spell at the club with one final piece of silverware when City play Rangers in Sunday's Scottish Cup final - live on BBC Scotland.

Daldeep Kaur
BBC Sport Scotland

Women's Scottish Cup final: Glasgow City v Rangers

When: Sunday 25 May Where: Hampden Park, Glasgow Kick-off: 14:00 BST

Coverage: Watch live on BBC One Scotland and BBC Sport website & app

The Scottish Cup final on Sunday marks the end of the season - and two stellar careers.

Glasgow City forward Fiona Brown and Rangers striker Jane Ross both call time on their playing days in the Hampden showpiece.

The pair are Scotland team-mates and the symmetry doesn't end there. Ross, 35, began her trophy-laden career at City, the club where 30-year-old Brown is calling it a day.

Brown's decision to retire comes after fighting back from four ACL injuries, but she hopes her involvement in football isn't over.

"I've had a long year to think about it. Of course you grapple with the fact that it's so tempting to try and keep going," she told BBC Scotland in the build-up to the final.

"It's probably a decision that's come earlier than what I would have liked but of course there's positives to that as well.

"Whatever comes next is going to be really exciting. I've had a lot of time to think about it. I don't know if it will settle in or be able to be digested until after Sunday.

"I'm young in terms of football and I've still managed to achieve way more than I could have ever dreamed of.

"I'm in a really good physical place but there's risk and unfortunately there's only so many times you can get certain things fixed, and I have probably run the course on that one.

"I want to stay in the game. I'm very comfortable within the women's game, and I feel like I have a lot to give, even if it's not physically on the pitch."

Brown came on in the last ten minutes of her side's 2-0 SWPL win against Hearts last weekend - as City pipped Rangers to second place and a Champions League spot - and says it was a "perfect" day.

"It was important to me mentally to prove that I was retiring as a player and not just walking away injured. That's been stuck in my mind since day one of the rehab that I wanted to do that," she added.

Ross, meanwhile, insists being able to retire at Rangers is "a dream come true."

"It feels like the right time for me. I've loved the career I've had and I've always kind of known the point where it would be the right time," she said.

"I'm looking forward to embracing other aspects of life and looking forward to the future.

"I could only have dreamed of what I have managed to do in my career when I started out at 16 years old at Glasgow City.

"The way the women's game has developed in the time that I've been playing, the 19 years, it's been massive. To see where the game's at now is exciting and I've loved every minute."

Ross hopes to bow out holding the trophy at Hampden, where she has fond memories of the semi-final win over Aberdeen.

"We'll see how Sunday goes, but getting the 90 minutes at Hampden, scoring a hat-trick, it couldn't really have gone much better for me, a very pleasing day," she added.