Scottish Women's Football

Daldeep Kaur
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Head coach Leanne Crichton has challenged Rangers to prove their SWPL title credentials by beating Hearts for the first time this season in Friday night's top-of-the-table showdown.

The Ibrox side, currently a point adrift with five post-split games remaining, can leapfrog Hearts and ascend to the summit with victory at Broadwood.

"It's a huge one and that's now off the back of the last two international breaks that Hearts will be the first side that we face," said Crichton.

"We've yet to beat them this season, that's something that we're striving for and they've been really close encounters, tough games. A draw in the first game at Ibrox and then subsequently 3-2 defeats in the other two.

"We look at those games, we've spent a lot of time, we've reflected on it, we've looked at where we are now and how we've regrouped and improved since those games because it always has been a moving part for us but it's a great opportunity for us.

"We're ready to go, you live for these moments. I want the players to thrive on that pressure and expectation from this football club."

Ranges, chasing a first SWPL title since 2022, began the 10-match post-split schedule with a defeat to Hearts and draw with Hibs before reeling off three straight wins over Glasgow City, Partick Thistle and Celtic without conceding.

"I do think form to a point goes out the window when it comes down to effectively five cup finals for all the teams that are involved, so really fine margins," added Crichton.

"But we feel we're in a good place and we're pleased with how we finished off before the international break, it was a really impressive win [beating Celtic 3-0] and one of most complete performances of the season, so again we look to try and tap into that and get back to that as quickly as we can.

"We've had such a up and down season but that's only because we're our own worst critics but I think it's put us in a good place."

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In-form forward Rosie Livingstone has been named SWPL player of the month for March after helping Hibs stay unbeaten since the split.

The 20-year-old contributed three assists - in the 1-1 draw with Celtic and 2-2 draw with Rangers - before scoring a dramatic late derby winner against current league leaders Hearts.

Joelle Murray's side build on their impressive March form by beating Glasgow City and drawing with Partick Thistle. Hibs occupy fifth place, three points behind their visitors this Friday, Celtic.

Image source, Scottish FA

Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta: "I think it reveals they're character and what they're all about.

"We just try to create an environment where they can thrive. What I'm pleased about especially is that we improved over the games, we had more shots, more shots on target, higher xG and that's an improvement on the last game. The next step is to get the result.

"It was chaotic at times but I think we saw a really professional, mature, experienced performance. That's not determined by age, that's by them buying into what we're doing.

"It's not bad at all and now it's all about recovery. They've got big games with their clubs and they'll make sure they remain fit and in form for the next window.

"Sandy MacIver was unbelievable. The saves she made were exceptional and is a launchpad to win games. That's what gets you to major tournaments so hats off to you.

"It was really loud. Great crowd, great stadium, great pitch."

Image source, Getty Images

Scotland defender Nicola Docherty: "I guess you could say that [it's a good point].

"They had chances, Sandy made some really good saves but it was frustrating because I think we created enough to win the game. They're a team that go to major tournaments, were in League A, and we still could have nicked it.

"We've come a long way. The team is improving every time we meet up, we work so hard on the pitch and off the pitch for these moments. I thought tonight we could have nicked it but we'll take the draw and know we've got important games coming up as well."

Scotland goalkeeper Sandy MacIver: "They're hard games to enjoy because you've got to stay so focused.

"I thought everyone at the back was brilliant and made my life a little bit easier. You've got to be happy with the clean sheet.

"I couldn't see anything that was going on [at the other end] but I was just hoping we'd end up scoring. It just shows we're creating chances which we maybe struggled to do before.

"They're a good team, they were at the last Euros, they've got world class players so I think it's good we've come away with two points. We maybe could have had more but it's two games that we've not lost."

Scotland and Belgium cannot be separated in a tense Women's World Cup qualifying match.

MATCH REPORT

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Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta has been speaking to BBC Scotland as Scotland prepare for Saturday night's World Cup qualifier against Belgium.

Here are the key points:

• After leaving it late for a 1-1 draw at home earlier in the week, Andreatta knows "it's a massive challenge" on Saturday, adding "we're going to be asked to give even more in this second game."

• But Andreatta stresses "we'll be ready for it because we've done our homework on them and think we'll be even better than the first game."

• It was a dominant display from the Scots but it took an injury-time equaliser from Kathleen McGovern to secure a point but the Australian insists "the way we finished the game gave us even more confidence and belief in what we're doing and what we want to be doing across 90 minutes".

• The Australian insists the burden of qualification for a World Cup "doesn't exist within this group," and the "mix of experience and energy that's created this perfect storm of power, confidence, strength, bravery that is going to move us forward."

• She adds that there is no talk about the end goal of World Cup qualification and focus is on "the processes" to be in the "best position to earn the right" to be there.

• She says that a sense of "purpose" has been a key development in the squad since she took charge just over a year ago, and adds, "they never stop no matter the situation that they face."

• Team news: Emma Lawton has not travelled as a result of an ankle injury picked up in the draw with Belgium. Kirsty Hanson is back in the squad fully fit.

Image source, SNS

Scotland defender Emma Lawton will miss Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Belgium through injury.

The 24-year-old was forced early in the second half of the 1-1 draw against the Belgians at Easter Road on Tuesday night and hasn't travelled with the squad for the away game.

Melissa Andreatta's side are top of their World Cup qualifying group, joint on points with Belgium but with a superior goal difference, after three games.

After facing Belgium at the weekend the Scots will take on Israel in June.

Samuel Ukah
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Scotland striker Kathleen McGovern says playing at Easter Road on Tuesday night "felt like home" as she scored an injury-time equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw against Belgium in their World Cup qualifier.

The Hibs forward is one of the younger players in Melissa Andreatta's squad and wasn't part of the Scotland squad who narrowly missed out on the Euros in 2025, failed to qualify for the 2023 World Cup nor was she in the squad as Scotland finished bottom of their group at the 2019 World Cup.

"We kind of don't have that baggage, because we've not had the disappointment for not qualifying," the 23-year-old said.

"I've actually spoken to a lot of the young players, and they kind of feel the same in that sense that we come in relaxed and just want to do the best for our country."

McGovern's leveller on Tuesday night, her sixth goal in seven senior Scotland caps, came after a dominant display from Andreatta's side who failed to convert numerous chances.

The point means Scotland head to Belgium top of the group on goal difference and with a chance to create a gap at the top before the final two games of the first qualifying round.

"Obviously to score for my country every time I score, it's an amazing moment for me and my family," she added.

"But I'm frustrated with myself because I had quite a lot of chances, but delighted to get our team back in it, and we'll take the point.

"It was in the back of my mind, coming to Easter Road. It felt like home, I even texted my gaffer at Hibs to say that it just felt like home, coming back.

"And I think we're unlucky not to come away with three points, to be honest, because I felt that we dominated the game.

"I think it's just the small margins and games, and if we tidy that up, then there's no doubt that we can get three points when we go away."

Samuel Ukah
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta felt her side got what they deserved in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw with Belgium in their third World Cup qualifier.

Kathleen McGovern's late equaliser kept the Scots' chances of finishing top of the group alive. Andreatta's side are joint on points with Belgium after three games but are top thanks to a superior goal difference.

And the Scotland head coach feels the equaliser was nothing more than her side deserved after a tenacious display.

"I think Scottish folk and our culture is resilient," Andreatta said.

"We don't step back from a challenge. We never stop. That's what I've learned about being here in this great country, and they're reconnecting to that part of their identity and I love it.

"This team has so much potential, and I think anything's possible. Together with their high standards, they'll want to build on what we've seen at the end of that game. I feel like its another step forward, positive and confident.

"We have players playing in top clubs and top leagues that are working hard daily on their craft.

"They'll be pleased with some parts of the game, but they're so humble and hard working and know what it takes to compete with the best."

Scotland had 13 shots throughout the game at Easter Road, compared to Belgium's 11, and enjoyed almost 60% possession but found themselves a goal behind after 15 minutes and remained that way for almost 80 further minutes.

"That goal sort of came against the run of play, we felt," the Australian said.

"The final third is the most challenging area of the park to to be creative and clinical.

"They didn't lose belief, they didn't lose sight of the game plan or their tasks and they were rewarded for it."

Hibs striker McGovern saved the day after numerous missed Scotland chances for her sixth goal in seven Scotland appearances when she scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

"I'm happy with McGovern's performance, very happy", Andreatta said.

"It's the toughest part of the game to be clinical, and we share that responsibility across the team.

"She'll want to lead by example for the team and do all that she can and more.

"But she's also young and young on her journey with this national team, so I'm quite happy with where she's at.

"We share the load with finishing too. So it's not just on McGovern to convert our chances. There's other players too that had chances, and they'll want to contribute more as well."