Scottish Women's Football

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Rangers and Scotland forward Lizzie Arnot is retiring from professional football at age 30 while the club have confirmed seven other player exits.

Former Hibs player Arnot joined Rangers in 2020 after a two-year spell with Manchester United and won a league title, two Scottish Cups and three SWPL Cups with the Ibrox side.

Arnot joins fellow Scotland international Mia McAulay - whose exit was already announced - and American midfielder Camille Lafaix on the departures list.

Right-back Li Mengwen and midfielder Quinty Sabajo are also leaving and the loans of goalkeeper Soffia Kelly, defender Jess Pegram and midfielder Kim Shin-Ji have ended.

Rangers say they are in "positive discussions with several other first-team players" over contract extensions.

"I would like to thank all of the players who are moving on from the club," said head coach Leanne Crichton.

"We are already under way in terms of planning for next season, where we will look to be challenging for every piece of silverware on offer."

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Scotland winger Mia McAulay has made the "hardest decision" of her career to depart Rangers.

The 19-year-old academy graduate has made more than 100 appearances for the club since her debut at age 16 in 2023.

Named SWPL young player of the year for her impressive breakthrough season in 2023-24, McAuley won successive SWPL Cup and Scottish Cup doubles with Rangers but missed out on silverware this term as Leanne Crichton's side lost both finals and finished second to league champions Hearts.

"This is the hardest decision I have ever had to make, to leave the club I love," said McAulay.

"Having spent my entire career here, coming through the academy, all the way to the first team has been a sense of pride for myself and my family.

"Everyone knows I have grown up supporting the club, and it was a dream to wear the famous blue jersey."

Head coach Crichton is "extremely disappointed" to see McAulay leave.

"I know this wasn't an easy decision for her, as everyone is aware how big a supporter of Rangers she is," Crichton added.

"Mia believes she is ready for a new challenge, and I thank her for all of her efforts and wish her every success in her next move."

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Celtic captain Kelly Clark believes her side fully deserved to lift the Women's Scottish Cup given the tough draw they received throughout the competition.

After easing aside lower-league Dunfermline Athletic, Grant Scott's side had to beat the four sides above them in the Scottish Women's Premier League - including city rivals Rangers in Sunday's final.

"We played Hearts, we played Hibs, we played [Glasgow] City and we've played Rangers, so we didn't get it easy and we've got the result every single time," 31-year-old Clark told BBC Scotland.

"We got the toughest draw possible every single round and I think we've stood up to the test and I think we thoroughly deserved that."

Celtic finished a disappointing fifth in the league and Clark believes lifting the cup for a third time will be a confidence boost for next season.

"I think it's massive for numerous reasons," she said. "You can go and enjoy your summer a little bit more and you just start looking for next season.

"Once you do it once, you want to do it again and again. It is a feeling nothing else in the world can replicate.

"Absolutely buzzing. Some of our performance have not got the results we deserved and today we dug in and played nice football when we could play nice football and I am just delighted to be able to lift the trophy again.

"It has been a couple of years, so it's amazing to do it again."

Morgan Cross scored the only goal of the game and the 25-year-old winger said Celtic went into the gave with "full belief in ourselves" despite having lost to Rangers in their previous five meetings of the season.

"We knew we were capable of beaten them and it was just about putting it out on the pitch," she said.

"I am so delighted. Just saw Saoirse [Noonan] get the ball at her feet and I just thought to get my toe on it. As long as it goes in the net.

"I don't think we could have had a tougher run. I don't think anyone can say we don't deserve it."

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Celtic midfielder Lisa Robertson: "It feels amazing. After all the effort we have put in during this season.

"We dug deep and showed a lot of character. It wasn't pretty, but we got it over the line.

"Next season, we will do better in the league. In this cup, we have beaten all the other top teams and we need to do that in the league next season."

Celtic goalkeeper Adelaide Gay: "It is unbelievable.We had to go through every top team to get here and then we were a man down.

"It is just incredible. I can't explain it.

"Everybody on the pitch did their role and that's how we won it in the end.

"We wanted to go into the summer with something positive."

Emma Lawton admitted there was "definitely relief" after being sent off just short of the hour mark.

"I left my team in a bit of trouble, but I'm just really proud of them.

"Every single girl out there was magnificent. They were amazing.

"It felt like a lifetime. I think we deserved it given the cup run we had.

"Probably in hindsight it was a second yellow. Every girl came over and said they did for me and I'm so thankful."

Celtic defender Chloe Craig: "It means everything.

"If you told me this time last year I would be standing here, I probably wouldn't believe it.

"Proud moment for me, proud moment for the team. Proud moment for these girls, especially the ones who have come back from injuries.

"So just thankful we got it over the line. That's what you do when you love a club like Celtic, the passion, the badge, that's what you need to do.

"They are a great opponent and they came at us, but we did what we do and we stayed strong."

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Celtic head coach Grant Scott: "We had to defend for our lives. The players showed such commitment to each other. That's what it's all about.

"I'm very proud of them. They were a proper team today.

"This cup run has been magnificent. The season has not been great, but this salvages something for us."

Rangers head coach Leanne Crichton: "We're frustrated. It's a game we controlled and dominated for the most part.

"Ultimately, it's won and lost in both boxes and there's one moment we don't deal with it and at the top end of the pitch we're not clinical enough, we're not composed enough to make good decisions and maximise the opportunities.

"The game has passed us by, that's the reality. It always felt like there was going to be enough time to get a goal but we didn't manage to do it."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Striker Katie Wilkinson is confident Rangers can bounce back from their final-day title disappointment to lift the Scottish Cup on Sunday.

Leanne Crichton's side would have pipped Hearts - who lost 2-0 to Hibernian - to SWPL success had they beaten Glasgow City, but were thrashed 6-0.

Now they are aiming to salvage silverware in Sunday's cup final showdown against Celtic at Hampden, but Wilkinson knows it will be difficult to get over last weekend.

"It's been tough, we're all hurting from that still," she told BBC Scotland.

"There's no point lying about that but ultimately we've got a game on Sunday that means a lot to us. At some point we've had to draw a line past Sunday and put our full focus on trying to win the cup.

"It's going to be sore probably going into next season, the manner in which it happened, but we've got an opportunity on Sunday where we can feel maybe a per cent better and bringing silverware back to this club is what we're here for. We'll do everything we can to make that happen.

"As a group we've really come together this week, after a tough day on Sunday, and I think that'll put us in good stead ready for Sunday."

Rangers are aiming to lift the Scottish Cup for a third successive season and have won all five meetings with rivals Celtic this term - four in the league and one in the League Cup.

"We feel good," Wilkinson added.

"When the group comes together you feel strong, we've worked hard this week. For us the focus is solely on us. We'll go into Sunday and do everything we can.

"It's a cup final, anything can happen, but we're ready. We want to win the cup and we'll do everything to make that happen."

Robbie Boyle
BBC Scotland

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Aberdeen have "always had confidence" despite a disappointing SWPL season, according to manager Scott Booth.

The Dons' top-flight status is on the line in Friday night's play-off final against Queen's Park at the Albert Bartlett Stadium in Airdrie.

Aberdeen finished ninth in the SWPL and picked up just five wins, while Queen's Park finished second in SWPL2.

"We have always had confidence to win games," Booth told BBC Scotland.

"It has just been a very fine line for the team this season, we have lost a lot of games late on and by a single goal.

"That shows you how tough the season has been.

"We have had a couple of good results over the past couple of weeks. We are in good shape for what is a massive game."

Queen's Park were relegated from the top flight last term as one of the three teams that went down due to restructuring.

The Dons won all four of the sides' meetings last season, scoring 13 goals while Queen's Park netted two.

The Spiders are led by former Partick Thistle assistant manager Ross Stormonth, who is expecting a difficult test against the Dons.

"They're a top side, top players, top coach with Scott," he said.

"He's done a great job there over the years. We know it's going to be a challenge, we know we're going to be backs against the wall at times, we know we're going to have to suffer, but we've also done that over the last six months of this season so we know we're capable.

"We know that we've got moments in the team, we've got top quality players all over the pitch."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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If the Women's Scottish Cup final on Sunday is to be her last game for Celtic, Saoirse Noonan wants to exit with even more "good memories" of Hampden Park.

Amid speculation it could be her final outing for Grant Scott's side, the 26-year-old Republic of Ireland striker says she will "reassess for next season" after this campaign's finale against rivals Rangers.

"I'm living in the moment," she tells BBC Scotland. "I want to win the Scottish Cup. I want to leave this year with a trophy."

Noonan, who has 12 caps for her country, recalls: "I think the first time I went to Hampden was 2023 with the Irish national team, when we qualified for the World Cup, so I have good memories there.

"I definitely took those into the game [Scottish Cup semi-final] against Glasgow City."

Noonan joined Celtic from Durham in 2024, having eschewed a career in her other sporting love, Gaelic football.

"I played for my county, Cork, all the way up from 14s, 16s, 18s, and then senior," she explains. "I only gave that up maybe six years ago now.

"For three years, I juggled semi-professional soccer with football. I loved it, but I chose to go on the route to be a professional footballer and leave home.

"Gaelic football hasn't got there quite yet. I'm really privileged I get to come in here as my job every day and be a full-time athlete and I think that's just what I wanted to do with my life and I'm lucky I get to do it."

After an early-round demolition of Dunfermline, during which Noonan scored four goals, Celtic faced tight games against fellow top-flight title challengers Hibernian, Hearts and then City, with their quarter-final and semi both going to extra time.

"We definitely deserve to be here," Noonan says. "We've definitely had the harder path and I think we'll use that going into the final."

She hopes Celtic can atone for a disappointing fifth-place finish in the SWPL, 14 points adrift of champions Hearts, when they face a Rangers side who have beaten them four times already this season - including a League Cup semi-final penalty shootout.

"I think cup games are very different," Noonan stresses. "Anything can happen, it's 90 minutes of football, it's going to be a different environment for everyone, it's a big occasion."

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Title-winning Hearts boss Eva Olid has posted a heartfelt goodbye message following the end of his five-year tenure.

The Spaniard signed off in style by guiding Hearts to their first SWPL title this season.

Posting on X, she said: "After five wonderful years at this club, it is time to say goodbye and close this chapter.

"First of all, I would like to thank the club for believing in me five years ago and for giving me the freedom and support to build a winning project. Without that opportunity none of this would have been possible.

"Secondly, I would like to thank the staff, a group of professionals who have worked tirelessly alongside me every single day.

"To the fans, I have always felt your support, through the good times and the difficult ones. Thank you for all your kind and heartfelt messages.

"And to the reason behind it all, the players, every single one I have had the privilege to coach over these years, thank you for being who you are: incredible Thank you for believing.

"Finally, to my family and to all those who have been there for me, near or far, through both the good times and the bad.

"I leave with all my goals achieved and with the dream of becoming league champions fulfilled.

"See you soon."

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Katie Wilkinson is "super happy" to extend her stay with Rangers by another two years after hitting the 40-goal mark for a second successive season and being named the Scottish Football Writers' Player of the Year.

The 31-year-old English striker joined Rangers from Southampton in summer 2024 and her 46 goals in 41 appearances helped the Glasgow side to a domestic cup double.

Wilkinson has found the net 40 more times this season in just 35 outings - and will be aiming to add to that in Sunday's season climax as they face Celtic in the Scottish Cup final.

She has already scored seven times in five meetings this season with their city rivals.

"I am super excited," Wilkinson told Rangers TV. "From the minute that I walked through the doors here, I have been super happy.

"It is such a massive club to be a part of. I still feel like we have got so much to achieve together."

Head coach Leanne Crichton is delighted to hold on to Wilkinson as she looks to improve on this season's runners-up spot in the Scottish Women's Premier League.

"She has once again demonstrated the quality she brings to this team, not only through her outstanding goalscoring record but also with her all-round contribution and leadership both on and off the pitch," he said.

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Ukraine striker Nicole Kozlova has signed a three-year extension with Glasgow City.

The 25-year-old, who joined City in summer 2024, was voted PFA Scotland's SWPL player of the year this season.

She is currently recovering from an ACL injury sustained on international duty in March.

"I'm really excited to be extending my time at City," said Kozlova.

"It's become my second home. I love the club, the girls, and I've really grown to love life in Scotland.

"The support from everyone at the club and the fans since my injury has meant so much."

Head coach Leanne Ross, whose side finished third in the SWPL this season, said: "Nic has developed into one of the league's best forwards and even though injury curtailed her season she has remained an important part of the squad."

Hearts players have been talking to BBC Scotland after winning the Scottish league title for the first time.

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Hearts captain Georgia Hunter: "It feels surreal. Literally, I cannot believe it. It's been a dream of mine.

"I joined 13 years ago and this has always been a goal. I think this season we've worked extremely hard to build on the quality that we've had over the last few seasons and it's finally paid off for us.

"The progress from the club since I was that 12-year-old girl to now is absolutely massive.

"Obviously we got promoted in 2019, with a great group of girls, the team was amazing. So now we've built on that and we've become league winners. What more do you want? What more do you want, indeed?

"Eva's [exiting head coach Olid] done amazing things. You can see by the progress. She came in and she wanted to do something and she's completed it and I think that's just hats off to her.

"She's had a lot of stuff to work with, with the team and the build over the years, but she's done what she's done and the players have worked hard for whatever she's wanted to do."

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Hearts striker Georgia Timms: "It's amazing. I don't think it's really sunk in right now. This is what we wanted and we've done it. I'm so proud of the girls, the coaches and everyone that's made it happened.

"We're going to enjoy it. This doesn't happen often, so we're going to enjoy ourselves.

"For the group of girls, Eva's given us belief. For myself, she's given me so much hope and belief. Pushed me to the max, which I didn't think I could be pushed to. We have a great relationship and, honestly, she's a great woman and I wish her the best.

"This is definitely the best season I've had and I think that's down to the coaches, the girls, everyone, because it's such a good group, it just gives you that extra boost on the pitch. Not overthinking stuff, which I think in previous seasons I probably did, whereas this season I haven't and I think that's really helped."

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Eva Olid said she was "in shock" after overseeing Hearts' SWPL title victory in her last match in charge.

The Spaniard will move on this summer and leaves as a title-winning head coach.

Hearts lost 2-0 to Edinburgh rivals and last season's champions Hibernian but Rangers' 6-0 defeat at Glasgow City meant Olid's side finished with a two-point advantage at the top.

"I'm in shock," Olid told BBC Alba. "You come with the mindset of 'win the game'. You don't win but you win the league. It's a strange feeling. We won the league, that is bigger than winning a game of football.

"We were the more consistent team. Last two weeks the players, you could feel were nervous. It's normal, it's a young team. First time that all of them are in this situation."

On her impending departure, Olid added: "It's just football things. I wanted to stay but competing as we were competing this year, it's not possible. I need to step away."

Hibernian counterpart Joelle Murray paid tribute to Olid, telling BBC Alba: "I said it to her before the game, whatever happens today, she can be so proud of herself. From where she came into the club to where she's leaving the club, she can be proud of herself.

"A breath of fresh air. They're a hard team to play against and to beat. We were just fortunate today that we managed to do that."

And Hearts captain Georgia Hunter told BBC Alba: "It's such a surreal feeling. It's been a long time coming for us.

"This season's been hard, it's had its highs, it's had its lows but I think the girls deserve this so much.

"We got the league win and that's all that matters."