Talking Transfers
Transfer madness is here and we have picked out a couple of players that it would be sensible for SWPL clubs to add to their squad.
Here we are again, another season closes and another summer of fun arrives. The window has been open for a while now so there are some confirmed transfers to discuss alongside our usual look at what each team needs and who might fill that gap.
As always, none of the speculation in this article is based on fact and should not be treated as transfer rumour but as commentary on the teams within the SWPL.
We are focusing on SWPL in this article as SWPL 2 remains wildly unpredictable, especially when it comes to transfers. As most of the players within the division are unpaid it also doesn’t feel appropriate to discuss potential moves they may be involved in and often the motivations behind such moves are personal rather than sporting.
Celtic
Losing Shen Mengyu is a blow, but one that is softened with the arrival of Shannon McGregor. The former Hibee has been one of the SWPL’s finest playmakers for a number of seasons, and at 24 feels like the right time to make the move to a team in a title challenge. Especially with national team aspirations.
She will likely slot into the middle of Sadiku’s midfield as a direct replacement for Shen. Offering a little bit more defensively than the Chinese international, and the occasional goal of the season contender.
With Flint’s exit, Celtic are relying on Gallacher, Agnew, and Loferski for goals so may want to add a fourth option. Reading are facing an uncertain future, so a return for Charlie Wellings may provide the perfect solution. 40 goals in just 34 games in her first spell in Scotland, she is already a fan favourite and someone that we know can score at SWPL level. Alternatively, taking advantage of Sadiku’s Swedish links could see a loan move for Tanzanian forward Aisha Masaka who is yet to start a game this season with BK Häcken. After scoring five in 12 appearances (three starts) last season the instinctive striker has struggled to establish herself and a season in Scotland could show Häcken how good she can be. She comes alive in the box and at 5’8 is a physical presence to worry defenders in the air which fits the profile of what Celtic need in their forward line.
Queen’s Park
A return to the heights of the SWPL in what is likely to be the toughest season yet as three are headed for automatic relegation. It is not an easy task ahead for Queen’s Park. As the promoted side it is hard to know exactly what they need to step up to SWPL level, they defended really well last season and scored for fun. But, can they do it a level up?
As is the cliché with teams in their position - they need experienced SWPL level players, regardless of position. Cailin Michie is currently a free agent, and at just 26-years-old has an SWPL CV to be very proud of. The tenacious midfielder could help them exert some control over opposing sides, allowing some of their flair players to shine without defensive burdens. Along similar lines is one of SWPL 2’s standout players last year in Kaela McDonald-Nguah who would add another dimension in Craig Joyce’s attack and has plenty of top flight pedigree. Space would have to be made in their goalscoring midfield, but, her experience could add some vital calm on the ball in big moments.
They may also take advantage of the loan market. Rangers are likely going to be looking for Laura Berry to get more senior experience under her belt, and Glasgow City might want the same for Sophia Martin after a stop-start loan at Motherwell. Both young strikers would offer something different to Callaghan and provide some variation in goalscorer in case Kane can’t replicate last season’s run.
Rangers
Rangers have already confirmed the signing of two players that will change the way they set up next season, Leah Eddie and Laura Rafferty. Two centre backs who fit the profile of a wide defender in Jo Potter’s system. They will allow Nic Doc to step forward as well as providing defensive stability in those big games. Eddie in particular is a real coup, the Rangers academy graduate has become one of the SWPL’s best defenders at Hibernian and returns to the club at a stage in her career that sees her pushing into the national team set up.
Liv McLoughlin joins permanently after her loan spell which will soften the departure of Rachel Rowe. However with the club’s struggles last season when Kirsty MacLean was injured, a midfielder is likely their biggest need. Jo Potter’s Birmingham links could come in handy here as Mel Lawley leaves Liverpool for a new challenge. The former lioness can operate on both wings or as a creative midfielder, providing cover across the pitch. Like Rowe she’s not a huge goal threat but does offer a dribbling and passing ability that would level up the Rangers team.
Dundee United
This is a big summer for Dundee United, they survived by the skin of their teeth last season and will want to avoid any drama this time out. Big improvements are needed to do that, especially in forward areas as they ended the season as the lowest scorers in the league (conceding the second most wasn’t a great help either).
The veteran leadership of Becky Galbraith would provide a calming presence in attack as she’s shown time and time again that she scores goals. She’s no stranger to a relegation battle and the need to come up with big moments either, her last two seasons at Spartans ending in unwanted bottom half finishes. A return for Danni Findlay (better known to United fans by her maiden name, McGinley) could be on the cards as she departs Hearts a year after joining for a professional deal. Her goals and assists earned her a spot in our team of the season in 22/23 with Dundee United, goals and assists that they sorely missed last year.
Glasgow City
Glasgow City are coming off the back of a challenging season, they have a major rebuild on their hands this year with a swift return to trophy lifts in mind. Already seeing Moore, Oscarsson, Kozak, and Giammona leave amongst others. We’re expecting a lot of movement in North Glasgow.
Two priorities stand out: someone to finally replace Chinchilla’s ball progression and unpredictability, and someone to sit in front of the defence and protect them. The obvious move to bolster the squad’s dribbling ability and to add a little magic is in former rival, Katie Lockwood. The ex-Hibernian and Hearts midfielder can slot in just about anywhere in an attacking role and provides pace and passing ability by the bucketful. Last season she was on hand for 16 goals and seven assists for the Jambos.
Defensive midfield is a tougher position to fill. A move for former Celtic loanee Anna Filbey could be the move here with the Welsh international able to bring physicality and a defensive awareness to Leanne Ross’ side. Most recently seen at Crystal Palace where she was ever-present in a Championship title winning season. Alternatively a move for her Palace teammate, Kirsten Reilly, may prove smart. She has improved her defensive work since leaving the SWPL, most recently being deployed as a right back, and could be a fantastic partner for Fulton.
Spartans
The arrival of Emma Thomson fills the huge gap in their goalkeeping department left by Rachel Johnstone’s departure in the winter. But, another gap has been created this summer. Experience. Last season saw Rachel Harrison, Alana Marshall, Becky Galbraith, the McMahon sisters, and Louise Mason depart for retirement or pastures new. That leaves an already very young Spartans team with not many players older than 25 as we go into a season with more stakes than ever.
Jenna Penman and Cailin Michie would be smart moves from Hearts’ departure list. Both already based in the City and filling gaps in the Spartans squad in the form of a full back and defensive midfielder. Michie in particular at 26 has experienced professional football in Scotland and Sweden, has won a number of trophies, and coaches a community team with Boroughmuir Thistle (that last point really fitting into the Spartans vibe).
Following their historic transfer patterns, a move for Niamh Noble could be perfect for both parties. Noble is ready to take the next step in her career as a regular starter, and needs a club that can help her find a position, while Spartans are light on natural full backs and specialise in developing youngsters.
Disagree with us on what your club needs? Have any thoughts about the signings so far? Who is your dream signing? Let us know in the comments below!
Hearts
Hearts are in a really good position off the back of another season of progress. Their first cup final, a record high points total, first wins over top three sides in the professional era. It is all going to plan for Eva Olid.
They have been rocked by the departures of Kathleen McGovern and Ciara Grant however, both players represented important pieces of the puzzle and will be big misses. In midfield Megan Bell spent the second half of the season on loan with the Jambos and would be a fantastic addition to help cover for Grant’s loss. If they are looking for a more like for like replacement Amy Anderson is available following her departure from Motherwell and provides the same metronomic qualities as Grant.
Up top we have seen Olid mostly utilise physical forwards, and Georgia Timms has been retained by the club, but it may be time to introduce a different profile of player to evolve into a real top three challenging side. Looking to Olid’s homeland there are a few interesting options including Lucia Moral, a 20-year-old striker playing for Atletico Madrid. She didn’t start a single league game last season and only saw 226 minutes of Liga F action but did hit two goals in that time. Part of the Spanish U-19 side that won back to back UEFA Championships in 2022 and 2023. A loan move for an unproven striker is a risk for Hearts but could prove fruitful to partner the ever consistent Timms.
Montrose
Montrose had a fantastic season finishing up in 9th and proving a lot of people wrong, but they did concede the third most in the league. They need to improve that number this season to stay away from the drop. Lauren Perry is a great option in goal, and a Northern Ireland international, so it is in defence and midfield that the reinforcements will likely be targeted.
Celtic’s new signing Amy Richardson is unlikely to be one for now at only 18-years-old (and with the depth Celtic have in defence) so a loan move for her to get SWPL experience would benefit both. It’s unknown whether she is ready for this level with most of her gametime up to this point in Everton’s academy, but, Sadiku was her manager there and has moved swiftly to bring her in on a long term deal so clearly she is rated highly by the Swede.
Sticking to the loan market Eilidh Austin has found herself fall down the pecking order at Rangers through no fault of her own after an impressive second half of the season. If Potter believes there is readily available cover she could be sent out on loan after signing her new deal. Playing brave football under Feroz would be an ideal environment for her to grow in and she would add an on the ball quality along with her defensive ability that would benefit the mighty Mo’.
Hibernian
Hibernian were looking to be in for a fairly quiet summer. Baucom’s exit didn’t come as a surprise and replacing her goals was looking like it’d be priority number one, and then Eddie left… and then McGregor left… Now, Hibs are looking at a rebuild of the entire spine of their team with the obvious heir to the striker spot, Eilidh Adams, out with a broken foot.
It’s going to be tough to replace all three with like for like qualities and profiles, but they are in luck. Hearts announced that both Kathleen McGovern and Ciara Grant would be moving on this summer and they fit the mould perfectly. McGovern is a physical striker who is extremely comfortable with the ball at her feet, and most importantly knows where the goal is. Grant, a fantastic playmaker who would not only add control in midfield, but experience and set piece ability too.
Stealing both from their rivals would be a big statement, however, if they can’t secure their services a return for Kirsten Reilly in midfield or a move for Birmingham’s Claudia Walker could be prudent. Walker especially fits the Baucom shaped hole as a physical number nine who thrives with the ball at her feet, taking on defenders, and being the focal point of a team.
Aberdeen
Aberdeen have no manager and haven’t announced their retained list, so what they need might change drastically in the coming weeks. Particularly when we consider some of their higher rated star players like Bayley Hutchison, Eilidh Shore, and Fran Ogilvie fit the needs of a number of full time teams in the league. If we look at their performance last season we see that by the split they had only scored one fewer than Partick Thistle. The problem being they had conceded 37 more than their top six competition. In fact they had conceded the fourth most in the league. They need defensive reinforcements.
Aberdeen’s team is full of very young players, as departing manager Clint Lancaster pointed out on a number of occasions last season. Maddie Finnie and Jess Broadrick are fantastic players but they often lack the edge that experience can bring. Jenna Penman could return with some of this after seasons away in Edinburgh where she has gained a lot of experience playing for sides in the top six.
Filling the manager’s seat is the priority for now. They need to get that sorted before they can make any real moves with the squad, and the new manager will likely have players they want to bring with them too.
Partick Thistle
23/24 saw the much discussed ‘Cara Henderson as a striker’ experiment, and while she still hit double figures we remain unconvinced that it is beneficial to how they play. Carla Boyce and Rachel Donaldson remain at the club so any goalscorer they do bring in would need to be an obvious improvement with SWPL pedigree. Brian Graham meet Becky Galbraith. The former Spartans number nine has spent her career bagging goals throughout the SWPL. Now 34 she would also be a fantastic mentor for Henderson if she is to become a regular striker.
Scoring goals isn’t their only problem though, they conceded too many last season as well. Making that problem worse is the fact that they currently have no contracted goalkeeper as Ava Easdon and Megan Cunningham’s loans have ended. Bringing Megan Cunningham back for a third season in red and yellow (permanently this time, perhaps) is the obvious choice. Rangers may take the view that they need her in case of emergencies, but for all intents and purposes she has become a Thistle staple.
Alternatively Chloe Logan finds herself out of favour at Celtic and did spend a week with Thistle last season. She may be looking to move on for regular football and Thistle could offer that without leaving her home city. Also at Celtic is youngster Lisa Rogers who could be available on loan with a view to getting her more SWPL experience before being handed a more important role at Celtic.
Motherwell
Motherwell have two fairly obvious targets, with Rangers’ youngsters Laura Berry and Kayla Jardine performing so well for them on loan, and providing a crucial attacking threat, it feels obvious for them to try and get them to return for another season. If they don’t get them they will certainly still need both an attacker and creative midfielder. Mason Clark, Abbie Cusack, or Keira Chuter could all fill one of those roles from the loan market.
Outside of a return for their loanees they have seen an exodus of players this summer, with only nine players currently under contract and the departure of Amy Anderson they have a lot to do.
It is likely we will see them move for fringe players that have dropped out of other sides. Brooke Nunn spent the second half of last season in ML1 and a move for the pacey winger would be ideal, however, she may be seeking full-time football and a return closer to home in England. Niamh Noble has departed from Glasgow City after a loan with Dundee United and could be an option as a wing back or winger. Still only 19, she has a lot of potential and would be a longer term option than relying on loanees.
Well that’s it, transfer targets for all twelve SWPL teams! Let us know what you think in the comments or on social media, is anyone brave enough to seriously suggest their club move for Mackenzie Arnold and Kirsty Smith?
We’re not quite returning from our summer break yet (although we are working hard behind the scenes to set things up for next season) but the season is rapidly approaching so keep your eyes peeled as things begin to ramp up in July and August.