The Big SWPL Preview

Another incredible season of SWPL action is just days away. We have gone through all of the clubs involved ahead of the season, including quotes from the players in attendance at Scottish Power HQ.

Here we go again… the 2025/26 season kicks off this weekend. A new league structure in effect, new managers taking charge across the league, scores to be settled from last season’s upsets. It’s all shaping up to be another action packed season of SWPL action.

We were at Scottish Power HQ to get the inside scoop from all of the clubs ahead of kick off.

Hibernian

Last Season: 1st, SWPL Cup runners-up

An unbelievable 2024/25 saw Hibernian fight through blood, sweat, and tears¹ to claim the title as theirs. A first title in 18 years, and to say this one caught everyone blindsided would be an understatement. Pre-season expectations of challenging the four teams that finished above them the season prior, to finish above Edinburgh rivals Hearts, and to mount a cup challenge were smashed.

The very definition of ‘hard to beat’ as Grant Scott’s organised 4-2-3-1 system proved hard to break down while the individual flair within the squad created chances going forward. McGovern and Adams scored a combined 49 goals, at the other end Schumacher and Clachers kept 19 clean sheets between them. To a player there was barely a hair out of place all season.

This Season

Now, the underdog champions are the ones to beat. Any underestimation they may have faced last season is gone with a huge SWPL trophy shaped target painted on their backs ahead of the new campaign.

Retaining the title will always be the aim of the reigning champions, and it is no different for Hibernian, however realistic expectations are a bit more modest. A run in the cups, perhaps avenging that SWPL Cup final defeat from last season, and a consecutive qualification to the European stage would represent success

Key to their efforts will be Kirsten Reilly. She may not be the headline grabbing goalscorer, nor the tricky star of highlight reels, but her presence in Hibernian’s midfield pivot is crucial to how the club plays. The midfielder is often seen dropping into the back four when under pressure to sweep up danger, allowing the centre backs to aggressively challenge for the ball. While in possession her passing range and vision releases the likes of Bowie, McAlonie, Adams, and McGovern to cause problems for the opposition defence.

What Eilidh Adams Said…

…on the new additions to the team:

It's been really good. I think having young players coming in that make the squad even more competitive is really good for everyone in the team. Obviously, there's not been too many changes, which I think is also good because it means for pre-season it's been quite a smooth transition. The girls that have come in have settled down well, and people obviously know them from within the league already. The team's gelling nicely, and we're all looking forward to getting started.

….on defending the title:

We're all really looking forward to it. I think it's such a long season, so it will just be about taking each game as it comes, focusing on the next. That's the kind of approach we took last season and it seemed to work for us! But, I think everyone's really, really excited. We really enjoyed playing our football last season. So, yeah, can't wait to get going.

…on what makes the SWPL special:

I think just because it's so competitive. You see that it always has been going down to the last day for the past few seasons. As a spectator, that's what you want, you want the drama and that excitement. There's no clear winner from early on and the fact it's ever-growing as well with the teams [improving], it's just such an exciting league to be a part of and also witness.

Glasgow City

Last Season: 2nd, Scottish Cup runners-up

Despite achieving UWCL qualification, Glasgow City will ultimately be disappointed by their performances last season. No silverware to add to the [very full] trophy case and no realistic chance of causing the SWPL trophy taxi to turn around on the final day. They are the SWPL’s most successful for a reason, and last season fell short of the high standards that come with that status.

Looking at things with the glass half full, however, they did have the best defensive record in the league last season. Conceding on just 18 occasions throughout the season. Second by just three points, and a return to the UWCL, is no failure either.

This Season

Consolidating the good from last season, and returning to regular trophy lifting, will be the priority this year. They are the most successful side in the country for a reason and Leanne Ross will be charged with enshrining that reputation this season.

Ukraine international Nicole Kozlova notched 21 goals and four assists in her first season with the club, and her first playing as a lone striker, more than earning recognition as one of the league’s top forwards. Speaking to the club’s media team during the summer she has been bullish about her aims for the upcoming season as she looks to help the side back to the top.

What Emma Brownlie Said…

…on why Glasgow City fans should be excited:

We've brought together a good squad, an exciting squad, going into the new season, it's been a great pre-season and we're looking to compete on all fronts this season.

…on her first weeks at Glasgow City:

It’s been great, I'm really enjoying it. I think it's a great group of girls who have been brought together. There's very much a togetherness in that changing room, so yeah, they've made me welcome ever since I walked in the door.

…on why everyone should be watching SWPL:

It is so competitive, the league’s shown that over the last few seasons. The titles [both] going right down to the wire, you saw that last season with Hibs winning at Ibrox against Rangers.

Rangers

Last Season: 3rd, SWPL Cup & Scottish Cup champions

Another league season of final day heartbreak, but the cup double will have gone some way to lessening the blow - especially with such comprehensive wins in both finals. With 139 goals scored across the season they were far and away the top scorers in the division, finding the back of the net almost a goal a game more than the next highest²

The successes over the last two seasons³ have been special, and as such have led to Jo Potter’s services being poached by Crystal Palace as they look to return to the WSL. A spanner for the future the final note of 2024/25.

This Season

Under the guidance of new manager Leanne Crichton the aim is clear. Win it all. There is no hiding Rangers ambition, especially after the bitter disappointment of having the title within reach only to lose out on the final day twice in the last two years. Crichton, in her first role as manager, will need to hit the ground running if she is to deliver that.

The first task on the to-do list? Improving their record in the big games, with both Hearts and Celtic in their first five there is an early chance for them to lay down a marker.

Goals, goals, goals has been the motto of the Ibrox club over the last few years, and this season is likely to be no different with Katie Wilkinson leading the line and fast chasing down SWPL top scorer of all time status. One shy of 40 goals in SWPL last season, the WSL 2 all time top scorer was a problem for SWPL defences in 2024/25.

What Nicola Docherty Said…

…on recent success and disappointment:

Yeah, those four trophies in two years are still seen by me and my teammates as success. Obviously, everybody wants to be winning the league title, absolutely, myself included. So, that's something that we're going to really look to try and rectify. We know that we need to be more consistent in the league campaign if we want to do that because I think when you look at Hibs [last season], they were the most consistent team in the league. That's what wins you titles. I think also when you're up against it and you're playing against those low blocks or up against those tough moments, we need to do more and find that mentality to win and to be more consistent. That's something that we'll be looking to do.

…on Rangers’ new manager Leanne Crichton:

I feel like I've been in a full circle moment with Leanne [Crichton]. We played together for a number of years at Glasgow City, we won many trophies together. So I know that she's got that winning mentality like myself, and I'm just really excited for her to come to Rangers because we know that it's a club that's [men’s team] built on history of winning trophies. We're trying to emulate that as much as we can as a women's team. So with that blend of Leanne Crichton's winning mentality and the group of players that we've got in the dressing room, it should be a successful season.

…on the growth of the SWPL:

Well I think when you look at the last two years and it's came down to the final day, and like [Fiona McIntyre] has said the taxi’s going in different directions and doesn't know where to go. I think that's great for the neutral fans and the audiences that they're trying to get. When you look at the PowerPoint that Fiona McIntyre has put up, it's excellent numbers [over 2 million viewers last season].

The way that the game's progressing in Scotland, I'm so proud of it to be honest, sitting here today because I was a young player once and I didn't even think it would be possible to be a professional women's football player. Now we're sitting talking about numbers and trying to progress that, it's so good to see.

Celtic

Last Season: 4th

After a dramatic final day title win of their own in 2023/24, followed up by qualifying for the Champions League group stage for the first time, everything was looking rosy for Celtic. Then it all came crashing down to Earth. Sadiku’s first full season in charge ending with a rather drab fourth place and discontent amongst the Celtic faithful.

The season summed up by the post-Split form that saw the club win just three games as they struggled to influence matches at both ends of the pitch. The January departure of Caitlin Hayes, and Amy Gallacher’s struggle for form, combining in the worst way for their title defence.

This Season

Elena Sadiku has to turn it around, it’s that simple. Celtic have ambitions of one day taking Glasgow City’s crown as most successful in the country. A title challenge and success in at least one cup competition the minimum requirements for a good season.

Nearly everything good at Celtic last season came through the performances of one player, Emma Lawton, and she will be crucial to any turnaround in fortunes this time around. The Scottish right back put up 12 goal contributions for the season, while also earning praise for her defensive contributions. Tirelessly running up and down the right hand side. Celtic fans will be looking for more of that in 2025/26.

What Chloe Craig Said…

…on why Celtic fans should be excited:

I think they should be excited because we're a winning team, we're a winning club and we've shown in previous seasons what we're all about and how much we push for better and how much we push to get the silverware into our cabinet.

…on returning from an ACL injury:

I can't wait! Obviously I've missed near enough over a year so for me it's about getting back on the ball, even like kicking a ball. If I get minutes here and there that's fine for me, that's a win for me! But, I'm very excited to go back out and try and win games and help the team push on as well as give back to the fans for being there throughout my injury.

…on academy players breaking into the first team:

It's lovely to see the girls come through, that used to be me once upon a time. So it's good to see that they're now rubbing off on us and they're now at a standard that we can rely on for them to come into games and come into training. It's definitely been lovely to watch and lovely to see, and it's definitely a proud moment for them but it's also a proud moment for us to see them come and flourish into the team.

Hearts

Last Season: 5th

Last season was a real mixed bag for Hearts. On the one hand: they improved their record against the top five, Jessica and Erin Husband broke onto the scene with a bang, and they spent more than half of the season in the top three.

On the other hand, however: their city rivals lifted the trophy, finishing above them for the first time in three seasons in the process, and a run of poor form to end the season ended any chance of them finishing above Celtic.

This Season

Eva Olid’s mix of Spanish and Scottish football influence has seen the club improve year on year since her appointment, and had Scotland fans calling for her to take over when Martinez Losa departed. Hearts will be looking for those improvements to continue, and to materialise into silverware this year.

Eilidh Shore has worn the captain’s armband in pre-season, and now steps up as one of the most experienced members of the squad with the departures of Lisa Robertson and Emma Brownlie. Olid will be hoping she can build on an impressive first half of last season, influencing play in both boxes as she marauds around the pitch.

What Mairead Fulton Said…

…on why Hearts are dark horses:

I think just based on how last season went, and the progression within the club, each year we're building on that. I think this season's going to be the most exciting yet!

…on working under Eva Olid:

I think it's been great. She’s a really good manager I think. So tactical, and I think it's really shown now within training and pre-season games. Everything is coming together.

…on why everyone should watch the SWPL:

I think you just need to look at the last three seasons and how competitive it's been all throughout the season. It's coming down to the last day, still two or three teams challenging. I don't think many other leagues in the world are as competitive as that.

Motherwell

Last Season: 6th

Last season Motherwell secured their highest league finish since 2020/23 (also 6th⁴), equalling the aims set out at the start of the campaign. All in all a successful season for Paul Brownlie’s side, despite the lack of competitiveness post-Split.

There were no expectations in that post-Split run, with a top half finish the progress they were looking for. Especially as it guaranteed safety in a season that saw three suffer the drop.

This Season

They will be looking for the same again in 2025/26, fending off summer improvements at Partick Thistle and Aberdeen as they look to progress into top half teams themselves. As an ambitious side they will likely be looking to improve on their record against the top five. A 0-0 draw with Hearts, as well as close losses to Celtic, City, and Hibs, have shown they are able to compete. Now they will hope to improve upon last seasons single point earned in those games.

Scotland U-23 defender Jenna Penman played almost every available minute of last season, putting in an impressive defensive shift to help them to top half status. Her ability to lock down attackers, use her pace to cover in behind, and progress the ball forward in wide areas will be a huge asset in their journey to build on last season’s success.

What Gill Inglis Said…

…on :

I think Motherwell fans should be excited this season because you look at where we finished last year in the top six, and I think we have signed well this season. I think you look at the mixture that we have between youth and experience as well and hopefully that will stand us in good stead and we can finish in the top six again next season.

…on :

I think for us getting into the top six was really important last season, and you're right it maybe didn't go the way that we had hoped, but we've learned lots from that as well. Of course it's going to be incredibly difficult, but we've been there before and so we know what it takes to get there. Now the challenge is can we do it consistently as well.

…on :

I think what makes SWPL so exciting is how competitive it is at both ends of the table. I think you look at the way that it's gone to the last day of the season, for the last couple of years. You look at how close teams move constantly, it goes down to goal difference, all that. So it's really exciting that it's not a one or two-team league, there's quite a few teams that could win it. Look at the relegation battle as well and how close that is and the play-off to come up and go down. So, overall I think it's such an exciting league that everybody should tune in and watch.

Partick Thistle

Last Season: 7th

A brief flirt with the relegation battle, missing out on top six, Brian Graham stepping down… it was not the season of progress that Thistle had set out for. Following the 2023/24 season that saw them reach their first cup final while causing the top five headaches on the way to sixth was never going to be straightforward, but, 2024/25 was a real bump in that road.

Brian Graham had started a shift in tactics away from the structured, hard to beat, discipline of the previous two seasons as Thistle looked to become a bigger threat on the ball. Incorporating more exciting young attackers into their midst and focusing on their play in possession. With his departure, David Elliot has been tasked to continue that movement as Thistle look to close the gap on those above them.

This Season

With a new manager and investment at both Motherwell and Aberdeen it is perhaps too early in Elliot’s time in charge of Thistle to place too high expectations on them. Top six will be the aim, preferably while making more memories in the cups. But, a midtable finish, as long as it is clear of any relegation fights, could be acceptable if they continue to compete in games against the top five.

In an effort to do that they have recruited Scotland’s most capped outfield player, Jo Love, who moves from one changing room at Petershill Park to another. Moving on from Glasgow City, where she spent 14 years collecting winners medals, she provides some experienced leadership to a young Thistle squad. Her tenacity and ball winning in midfield, as well as ability to stay composed under pressure and find the right pass, will be key attributes if Thistle are to take that next step.

What Cheryl McCulloch Said…

…on Thistle signing Jo Love:

She's been great, Jo is first and foremost a great person to have in the dressing room and a fantastic player as well. I was lucky to play with her at Glasgow City for four years so I know what she can bring to the team. It shows the intent of the club to get a player of Jo Love's calibre and we're excited to get going and playing alongside her this season.

…on ambitions for the season:

It's a new beginning for us, we want to put our best foot forward in the game against Hamilton on Sunday. We want to be top six this year. We were really bitterly disappointed not to get it last season and that's our goal this year, we want to be top six and play against the best players and the best teams and we hope to be there come the split.

…on Partick Thistle’s bespoke away kit designed by the women’s team:

It's really good and it shows again the intent from the club, we're incorporated into the club, and to have our own kit and it's really nice. It's a really, really nice [design], it's lovely.

Craig [Walker, Partick Thistle head of media] was at the [men’s] game on Saturday and there were guys walking about with our bespoke kit on, it just shows you that we're incorporated in it and it just gives young girls who want to play for Partick Thistle that opportunity when you can see that at a game on a Saturday or Sunday and you're able to wear that kit.

Aberdeen

Last Season: 8th

It’s safe to say the ambitious Aberdeen push for top half, and beyond, started with a flop last season. Amidst early form that had the club looking dangerously close to relegation their first full time manager, Colin Bell, departed and was replaced by a bonafide SWPL and Aberdeen legend in Scott Booth.

He oversaw an impressive turnaround that ended without the need for final day heroics. Getting the best out of the exciting young side at his disposal, without reinventing the wheel with complicated tactical instruction, Booth will have been pleased with an eventual 8th placed finish.

This Season

Consistency will be the name of the game this season. With 20 points won post-Split, Aberdeen will be looking to continue that good form, while shortening some of the heavy scorelines they were on the wrong end of last season. Top six will be the goal, but a safe midtable finish would by no means be a failure as the club continue on their journey to grow into one of the best clubs in the league.

Returning permanently for 2025/26 is academy graduate Jess Broadrick. Despite impressing at times, she found it difficult to break into Hearts defence on a regular basis and spent the second half of the season on loan with the Dons. Now the once dubbed ‘next Jen Beattie’ is back at the club and will be the lynchpin of their defence. Still just 20-years-old, she’ll be hoping to prove her former club wrong and impress Mel Andreatta as she provides the foundation for Aberdeen.

What Kerry Beattie Said…

…on excitement for the fans:

I think it is the most competitive SWPL season yet. I think that Balmoral is going to be a stronghold this season, teams, especially around the top and bottom half of the league are going to struggle to come up to Aberdeen and to compete. I think it is going to be really competitive games. I am really looking forward to it.

…on new signings:

It is so exciting in the changing room. Every week we have had a new face. Sometimes it’s daunting but then you realize that everyone is here to back up the team. The signings that we have made have been really, really good. We have made some amazing changes. Hopefully we can show in our performances the changes that we have made.

Yes [it’s great having] Alex [Clarke] and Tony Leigh [Finnegan]. I have played against them in [the Irish] league. It is exciting. All three of us come from different clubs. All clubs that just happen to hate each other but we all really get on. It is nice to have familiar accents as well!

…on the SWPL being the best league in the world:

I think how competitive it is. Especially this season, it is going to be super competitive, and in the past two seasons it has went down to the wire which for a spectator is what you want. I think it's probably one of the most exciting leagues in Europe!

Montrose

Last Season: 9th

Montrose’s 24/25 season is a quintessential tale of two halves. After only picking up 14 points before the Split they sat firmly in the relegation zone. They went on to win 23 out of 30 available points post-Split, a feat only matched by title-winners Hibernian, to secure their safety. Incredibly, in 2023/24 it was the a very similar story with 20 out of 30 available points won post-Split. On both occasions they won more points post-Split than they had during the regular season.

Craig Feroz had announced that he would step down after the season end but with the adrenaline of surviving relegation, and some convincing⁵ from the Montrose board, he made a U-turn on that decision and will continue to lead the charge in 2025/26.

This Season

His task? The same as last year. Find a way to take their post-Split form into the regular season, reduce the size of one sided defeats, and by all means necessary retain SWPL 1 status. No big deal then…

Always at the centre of things for the Mighty Mo’ is Jade McLaren. Last season saw her goal and assist contributions drop off from 17 in 23/24 to just seven, but her influence in midfield areas is crucial to how they play. Whether it’s crunching tackles, pirouettes on the edge of the box, or set piece mastery, she’s always catching the eye for Feroz’s side.

What Jade McLaren Said…

…on aims for the season:

I think we're going to surprise a lot of people. I think we're going to challenge a lot more than we did last year and hopefully we can stay out of a relegation battle because it's getting a bit boring doing it two seasons in a row!

We've signed really well this year and the girls that have come in have bought into how we want to play this year. So, hopefully, going into this weekend, we can shock Rangers and do really well.

…on pre-season preparations:

It's been really good, we've got a good few games under our belt. Ideally, we would have played one or two teams a bit above us to get a bit more of an intensity. But, the new girls that have come in have gelled really quickly and there's a couple of them who will be ones to watch this season, I think. They've bought into how we want to play and how we're going to play going forward.

…on what makes the SWPL special:

I just think the league's interesting at both ends, unless you're in the middle of the playing field, which is an ideal situation to be in if you're a part-time team! But, it's really exciting and it goes down to the last day, whether it's the top or the bottom. So I just encourage people to get involved and watch it and come along to games.

Hamilton Accies

Last Season: 1st (SWPL 2)

Last season was a fairly comfortable affair as they shot to the top of SWPL 2 and booked their return to the top flight. In January it looked like it was all over but, to the credit of the competition rather than their own failings, it was more nervy than they would have liked going into the final weeks.

After the season ended is when the drama really kicked off. A “tiff”⁶ with the new ownership of the men’s team (a separate legal entity) has put the future of the club’s branding as Hamilton Academical Women into the spotlight. While most clubs affiliated with a men’s team are seeing more investment and resource as a result of the impossible to ignore growth and potential of women’s football, Hamilton remain financially independent with the little support they got decreasing.

This Season

As much as we want to be ambitious on behalf of the exciting young core at Accies, realistically it is going to be a tough season for the Hamilton based club. Staying up the aim, whether it be playoffs or through league position hardly matters. As the promoted club they will know that they are the favourites to go down and will be desperate to prove those doubters wrong.

They have retained top flight experience, and crucially goals, in the form of Dr. Josi Giard who will likely be the key threat for them. Her ability to get in behind, drop deep, drift wide, and finish any chance that comes her way was made abundantly clear in SWPL 2 last season. Taking that form to the top flight is no small task, but neither is a PhD and she managed that while writing her story as an SWPL icon.

What Lucy Barclay Said…

…on returning to the top flight:

We've obviously been promoted to SWPL 1, so it's going to be a step up for us playing against the best of the best. It's going to be a good season for us to get back into SWPL 1 football and show what we are made of.

…on preparing for the season with a new club:

I'm absolutely so excited. The last couple of weeks there's been great build-up. The staff at Hamilton are lovely and the girls as well. I think we're really, really excited to get started.

…on making amends for Hamilton’s last spell in SWPL 1:

Yeah, 100 per cent. Obviously come off of confidence after winning the trophy. So, coming into this league we want to prove how much we've improved and show that we can play against the best.

1. Both from emotional tears and muscle tears.

2. Glasgow City with 107.

3. Including in their league form despite the final outcomes.

4. Worth noting this was in an eight team league over 21 games compared to the 12 team 32 game 2024/25 season.

5. We can only assume this involved lots of edible and drinkable presents and ending every sentence with “please stay”

6. Well, a public fight with threats of legal action so maybe a bit more than that. “Quarrel” maybe?