2023–24 in Scottish football

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Football in Scotland
Season2023–24
← 2022–23 Scotland 2024–25 →
2023–24 in Scottish football
Premiership champions
Championship champions
Dundee United
League 1 champions
Falkirk
League 2 champions
Stenhousemuir
Scottish Cup winners
League Cup winners
Rangers
Challenge Cup winners
Airdrieonians
Youth Cup winners
Rangers
Teams in Europe
Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian
Scotland national team
UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying

The 2023–24 season is the 127th season of competitive football in Scotland. The domestic season began on 15 July with the first Scottish League Cup group stage matches, before the opening round of matches in the 2023–24 Scottish Premiership were played on 6 August.[1][2]

Transfer deals[edit]

Main articles: List of Scottish football transfers summer 2023 and List of Scottish football transfers winter 2023–24

League competitions[edit]

Scottish Premiership[edit]

Main article: 2023–24 Scottish Premiership
Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation[a]
1 Celtic (T) 36 27 6 3 87 28 +59 87 Qualification for the Champions League league stage
2 Rangers (T) 36 26 3 7 79 27 +52 81 Qualification for the Champions League third qualifying round
3 Heart of Midlothian (Q) 36 20 6 10 47 37 +10 66 Qualification for the Europa League play-off round[b]
4 Kilmarnock (Q) 36 14 13 9 45 38 +7 55 Qualification for the Europa League second qualifying round
5 St Mirren 36 13 7 16 42 47 −5 46 Qualification for the Conference League second qualifying round
6 Dundee 36 10 11 15 46 62 −16 41
7 Motherwell 36 10 13 13 55 54 +1 43
8 Hibernian 35 10 12 13 48 54 −6 42
9 Aberdeen 35 10 11 14 37 49 −12 41
10 Ross County 36 8 9 19 35 64 −29 33
11 St Johnstone 36 7 10 19 26 52 −26 31 Qualification for the Premiership play-off final
12 Livingston (R) 36 5 9 22 27 64 −37 24 Relegation to the Championship
Updated to match(es) played on 11 May 2024. Source: [3][4]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-Head points; 5) Head-to-Head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only if deciding champion, UEFA competitions qualification, second stage group allocation or relegation).[5]
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated; (R) Relegated; (T) Qualified, but not yet for the particular phase indicated
Notes:
  1. ^ Teams play each other three times (33 matches), before the league is split into two groups (the top six and the bottom six).
  2. ^ As the winners of the 2023–24 Scottish Cup (Celtic or Rangers) have both qualified for the Champions League, the berth reserved for the cup winners (Europa League play-off round) passes to the third-placed team. The berths for the Europa League second qualifying round and the Conference League second qualifying round are passed down to the fourth- and fifth-placed teams.

Scottish Championship[edit]

Main article: 2023–24 Scottish Championship
Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Dundee United (C, P) 36 22 9 5 73 23 +50 75 Promotion to the Premiership
2 Raith Rovers (Q) 36 20 9 7 58 42 +16 69 Qualification for the Premiership play-off semi-final
3 Partick Thistle (Q) 36 14 13 9 63 54 +9 55 Qualification for the Premiership play-off quarter-final
4 Airdrieonians (Q) 36 15 7 14 44 44 0 52
5 Greenock Morton 36 12 9 15 43 46 −3 45
6 Dunfermline Athletic 36 11 12 13 43 48 −5 45
7 Ayr United 36 12 8 16 53 61 −8 44
8 Queen's Park 36 11 10 15 50 56 −6 43
9 Inverness Caledonian Thistle (Q) 36 10 12 14 41 40 +1 42 Qualification for the Championship play-offs
10 Arbroath (R) 36 6 5 25 35 89 −54 23 Relegation to League One
Source: [6]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-to head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only for deciding promotion, play-off participation and relegation).[7]
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated; (R) Relegated

Scottish League One[edit]

Main article: 2023–24 Scottish League One
Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Falkirk (C, P) 36 27 9 0 96 28 +68 90 Promotion to the Championship
2 Hamilton Academical (Q) 36 22 8 6 73 28 +45 74 Qualification for the Championship play-offs
3 Alloa Athletic (Q) 36 16 8 12 60 55 +5 56
4 Montrose (Q) 36 15 8 13 58 57 +1 53
5 Cove Rangers 36 14 7 15 58 63 −5 49
6 Kelty Hearts 36 12 8 16 48 63 −15 44
7 Queen of the South 36 11 8 17 46 53 −7 41
8 Annan Athletic 36 9 12 15 55 68 −13 39
9 Stirling Albion (R) 36 10 9 17 39 58 −19 39 Qualification for the League One play-offs
10 Edinburgh City (R) 36 3 5 28 38 98 −60 8[a] Relegation to League Two
Source: [8]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-to head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only for deciding promotion, play-off participation and relegation).[9]
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ On 25 January 2024, Edinburgh City were deducted 6 points, having failed to pay its players’ wages on time and defaulting its tax obligations to HMRC, as well as not engaging fully in the disciplinary process leading to further breaches of SPFL Rules.

Scottish League Two[edit]

Main article: 2023–24 Scottish League Two
Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Stenhousemuir (C, P) 36 18 14 4 50 31 +19 68 Promotion to League One
2 Peterhead (Q) 36 16 12 8 58 39 +19 60 Qualification for the League One play-offs
3 The Spartans (Q) 36 15 13 8 53 43 +10 58
4 Dumbarton (Q) 36 16 9 11 56 44 +12 57
5 East Fife 36 11 11 14 46 47 −1 44
6 Forfar Athletic 36 9 15 12 38 45 −7 42
7 Elgin City 36 10 10 16 35 59 −24 40
8 Bonnyrigg Rose 36 9 12 15 47 48 −1 39
9 Clyde 36 9 11 16 46 58 −12 38
10 Stranraer (Q) 36 9 9 18 38 53 −15 36 Qualification for the League Two play-off final
Source: [10]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-to head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only for deciding promotion, play-off participation and relegation).[11]
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

Non-league football[edit]

Level 5[edit]

Main articles: 2023–24 Highland Football League and 2023–24 Lowland Football League

Level 6[edit]

Highland[edit]
Main articles: 2023–24 Midlands Football League, 2023–24 North Caledonian Football League, and 2023–24 North Region Junior Football League
Lowland[edit]
Main articles: 2023–24 East of Scotland Football League, 2023–24 South of Scotland Football League, and 2023–24 West of Scotland Football League

Honours[edit]

Cup honours[edit]

Competition Winner Score Runner-up Match report
2023–24 Scottish Cup 25 May: Celtic v Rangers
2023–24 League Cup Rangers 1–0 Aberdeen BBC Sport
2023–24 Challenge Cup Airdrieonians 2–1 The New Saints BBC Sport
2023–24 South Challenge Cup 26 May: East Kilbride v Kirkintilloch Rob Roy
2023–24 Youth Cup Rangers 2–1 Aberdeen BBC Sport
2023–24 Junior Cup 2 June: Arthurlie v Darvel

Non-league honours[edit]

Level Competition Winner
5 Highland League Buckie Thistle
Lowland League East Kilbride
6 Midlands League
North Caledonian League Invergordon
North Region Premier League
East of Scotland League Premier Division Broxburn Athletic
South of Scotland League Dalbeattie Star
West of Scotland League Premier Division Beith Juniors
7 North Championship
East of Scotland League First Division
West of Scotland League First Division Drumchapel United
8
East of Scotland League Second Division
West of Scotland League Second Division Ardrossan Winton Rovers
9 East of Scotland League Third Division
West of Scotland League Third Division
10 West of Scotland League Fourth Division Glenvale

Individual honours[edit]

PFA Scotland awards[edit]

Award Winner Team
Players' Player of the Year Lawrence Shankland[22] Heart of Midlothian
Young Player of the Year David Watson[22] Kilmarnock
Manager of the Year John McGlynn[23] Falkirk
Championship Player Brian Graham[23] Partick Thistle
League One Player Callumn Morrison[23] Falkirk
League Two Player Gregor Buchanan[23] Stenhousemuir

SFWA awards[edit]

Award Winner Team
Footballer of the Year
Young Player of the Year
Manager of the Year

Scottish clubs in Europe[edit]

Main articles: 2023–24 UEFA Champions League, 2023–24 UEFA Europa League, and 2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League

Summary[edit]

Club Competitions Started round Final round Coef.
Celtic UEFA Champions League Group stage 7.0
Rangers UEFA Champions League Third qualifying round Play-off round 16.0
UEFA Europa League Group stage Last 16
Aberdeen UEFA Europa League Play-off round 5.5
UEFA Europa Conference League Group stage
Heart of Midlothian UEFA Europa Conference League Third qualifying round Play-off round 1.0
Hibernian UEFA Europa Conference League Second qualifying round Play-off round 2.5
Total 32.0
Average 6.4

Celtic[edit]

UEFA Champions League
Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification ATM LAZ FEY CEL
1 Spain Atlético Madrid 6 4 2 0 17 6 +11 14 Advance to knockout phase — 2–0 3–2 6–0
2 Italy Lazio 6 3 1 2 7 7 0 10 1–1 — 1–0 2–0
3 Netherlands Feyenoord 6 2 0 4 9 10 −1 6 Transfer to Europa League 1–3 3–1 — 2–0
4 Scotland Celtic 6 1 1 4 5 15 −10 4 2–2 1–2 2–1 —
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers

Having won the Premiership, Celtic qualified for the Champions League and entered in the group stage.[24] They were drawn in Group E with Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid and Lazio.[25]

19 September 2023 (2023-09-19) Group E Feyenoord Netherlands 2–0 Scotland Celtic Rotterdam
20:00 BST Stengs 45+2'
Jahanbakhsh 76'		 Report Stadium: De Kuip
Attendance: 44,008[26]
Referee: Irfan Peljto (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
4 October 2023 (2023-10-04) Group E Celtic Scotland 1–2 Italy Lazio Glasgow
20:00 BST Furuhashi 12' Report Vecino 29'
Pedro 90+5'		 Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 56,063[27]
Referee: Donatas Rumšas (Lithuania)
25 October 2023 (2023-10-25) Group E Celtic Scotland 2–2 Spain Atlético Madrid Glasgow
20:00 BST Furuhashi 4'
Palma 28'		 Report Griezmann 25'
Morata 53'		 Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 55,844[28]
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany)
7 November 2023 (2023-11-07) Group E Atlético Madrid Spain 6–0 Scotland Celtic Madrid
20:00 GMT Griezmann 6', 60'
Morata 45+2', 76'
Lino 66'
Saúl 84'		 Report Stadium: Metropolitano Stadium
Attendance: 60,863[29]
Referee: Ivan Kružliak (Slovakia)
28 November 2023 (2023-11-28) Group E Lazio Italy 2–0 Scotland Celtic Rome
17:45 GMT Immobile 82', 85' Report Stadium: Stadio Olimpico
Attendance: 50,555[30]
Referee: Halil Umut Meler (Turkey)
13 December 2023 (2023-12-13) Group E Celtic Scotland 2–1 Netherlands Feyenoord Glasgow
20:00 GMT Palma 33' (pen.)
Lagerbielke 90+1'		 Report Minteh 82' Stadium: Celtic Park
Referee: Benoît Bastien (France)

Rangers[edit]

UEFA Champions League

Having finished in second place of the Premiership, Rangers qualified for the Champions League and entered in the third qualifying round.[24]

9 August 2023 QR3 Rangers Scotland 2–1 Switzerland Servette Glasgow
19:45 BST Tavernier 6' (pen.)
Dessers 15'		 Report Bedia 44' (pen.) Stadium: Ibrox Stadium
Attendance: 48,956
Referee: Donatas Rumsas (Lithuania)
15 August 2023 QR3 Servette Switzerland 1–1
(2–3 agg.)		 Scotland Rangers Lancy
19:30 BST Kutesa 22' Report Tavernier 50' Stadium: Stade de Genève
Attendance: 26,000
Referee: Maurizio Mariani (Italy)
22 August 2023 PO Rangers Scotland 2–2 Netherlands PSV Eindhoven Glasgow
20:00 BST Sima 45'
Matondo 76'		 Report Sangaré 61'
de Jong 80'		 Stadium: Ibrox Stadium
Attendance: 47,537
Referee: Clément Turpin (France)
30 August 2023 PO PSV Eindhoven Netherlands 5–1
(7–3 agg.)		 Scotland Rangers Eindhoven
20:00 BST Saibari 35', 53'
de Jong 66'
Veerman 78'
Goldson 81' (o.g.)		 Report Tavernier 64' Stadium: Philips Stadion
Attendance: 34,560
Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez (Spain)
UEFA Europa League

Having lost in the Champions League play-off, Rangers dropped into the Europa League and were drawn in Group C with Real Betis, Sparta Prague and Aris Limassol.[31]

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification RAN SPP BET ALI
1 Scotland Rangers 6 3 2 1 8 6 +2 11 Advance to round of 16 — 2–1 1–0 1–1
2 Czech Republic Sparta Prague 6 3 1 2 9 7 +2 10 Advance to knockout round play-offs 0–0 — 1–0 3–2
3 Spain Real Betis 6 3 0 3 9 7 +2 9 Transfer to Europa Conference League 2–3 2–1 — 4–1
4 Cyprus Aris Limassol 6 1 1 4 7 13 −6 4 2–1 1–3 0–1 —
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
21 September 2023 (2023-09-21) Group C Rangers Scotland 1–0 Spain Real Betis Glasgow
20:00 BST Sima 67' Report Stadium: Ibrox Stadium
Attendance: 45,634
Referee: Lawrence Visser (Belgium)
5 October 2023 (2023-10-05) Group C Aris Limassol Cyprus 2–1 Scotland Rangers Limassol
17:45 BST Moucketou-Moussounda 9'
Babicka 59'		 Report Sima 70' Stadium: Alphamega Stadium
Attendance: 3,911[32]
Referee: Horațiu Feșnic (Romania)
26 October 2023 (2023-10-26) Group C Sparta Prague Czech Republic 0–0 Scotland Rangers Prague
17:45 BST Report Stadium: Stadion Letná
Referee: Sascha Stegemann (Germany)
9 November 2023 (2023-11-09) Group C Rangers Scotland 2–1 Czech Republic Sparta Prague Glasgow
20:00 GMT Danilo 11'
Cantwell 20'		 Report Haraslín 77' Stadium: Ibrox Stadium
Attendance: 48,838[33]
Referee: Davide Massa (Italy)
30 November 2023 (2023-11-30) Group C Rangers Scotland 1–1 Cyprus Aris Limassol Glasgow
20:00 GMT McCausland 49' Report Shavy Babicka 28' Stadium: Ibrox Stadium
Referee: Rohit Saggi (Norway)
14 December 2023 (2023-12-14) Group C Real Betis Spain 2–3 Scotland Rangers Seville
20:00 GMT Miranda 14'
Pérez 37'		 Report Sima 10'
Dessers 20'
Roofe 78'		 Stadium: Benito Villamarín
Referee: Srđan Jovanović (Serbia)

Having won their group, Rangers received a bye to the last 16 of the Europa League.[34]

7 March 2024 Last 16 Benfica Portugal 2–2 Scotland Rangers Lisbon
20:00 GMT Di Maria 45+2' (pen.)
Goldson 67' (o.g.)		 Report Lawrence 7'
Sterling 45+5'		 Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 48,579[35]
Referee: Tobias Stieler (Germany)
14 March 2024 Last 16 Rangers Scotland 0–1
(2–3 agg.)		 Portugal Benfica Glasgow
17:45 GMT Report R. Silva 66' Stadium: Ibrox Stadium
Attendance: 49,943[36]
Referee: Ivan Kružliak (Slovakia)

Aberdeen[edit]

Having finished in third place of the Premiership, Aberdeen qualified for the Europa League and entered in the play-off round.[24]

24 August 2023 PO BK Hacken Sweden 2–2 Scotland Aberdeen Gothenburg
18:00 BST Layouni 36'
Sadiq 69' (pen.)		 Report Miovski 75'
Devlin 79'		 Stadium: Bravida Arena
Attendance: 4,424
Referee: Filip Glova (Slovakia)
31 August 2023 PO Aberdeen Scotland 1–3
(3–5 agg.)		 Sweden BK Hacken Aberdeen
19:45 BST Miovski 55' (pen.) Report Sadiq 14', 41'
Layouni 81' (pen.)		 Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium
Attendance: 19,237
Referee: Daniel Siebert (Germany)
UEFA Europa Conference League

Having lost in the Europa League play-off, Aberdeen dropped into the Europa Conference League and were drawn in Group G with Eintracht Frankfurt, PAOK Salonika and HJK Helsinki.[37]

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification PAOK FRA ABE HJK
1 Greece PAOK 6 5 1 0 16 10 +6 16 Advance to round of 16 — 2–1 2–2 4–2
2 Germany Eintracht Frankfurt 6 3 0 3 11 7 +4 9 Advance to knockout round play-offs 1–2 — 2–1 6–0
3 Scotland Aberdeen 6 1 3 2 10 10 0 6 2–3 2–0 — 1–1
4 Finland HJK 6 0 2 4 7 17 −10 2 2–3 0–1 2–2 —
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
21 September 2023 (2023-09-21) Group G Eintracht Frankfurt Germany 2–1 Scotland Aberdeen Frankfurt
17:45 BST Marmoush 11' (pen.)
Koch 61'		 Report Polvara 22' Stadium: Waldstadion
Attendance: 55,500
Referee: Chrysovalantis Theouli (Cyprus)
5 October 2023 (2023-10-05) Group G Aberdeen Scotland 1–1 Finland HJK Aberdeen
20:00 BST Miovski 79' Report Radulovic 59' Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium
Attendance: 16,316[38]
Referee: Daniel Stefański (Poland)
26 October 2023 (2023-10-26) Group G Aberdeen Scotland 2–3 Greece PAOK Aberdeen
20:00 BST Miovski 50'
Polvara 58'		 Report Despodov 73'
Vieirinha 84'
Schwab 90+6' (pen.)		 Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium
Attendance: 16,089
Referee: Sebastian Gishamer (Austria)
9 November 2023 (2023-11-09) Group G PAOK Greece 2–2 Scotland Aberdeen Thessaloniki
17:45 GMT Taison 23'
Samatta 67'		 Report Duk 14'
McGrath 70'		 Stadium: Toumba Stadium
Attendance: 19,019[39]
Referee: Juxhin Xhaja (Albania)
30 November 2023 (2023-11-30) Group G HJK Finland 2–2 Scotland Aberdeen Helsinki
17:45 GMT Bandé 16'
Hostikka 33'		 Report MacDonald 41'
Duk 56'		 Stadium: Bolt Arena
Referee: Genc Nuza (Kosovo)
14 December 2023 (2023-12-14) Group G Aberdeen Scotland 2–0 Germany Eintracht Frankfurt Aberdeen
17:45 GMT Duk 41'
Sokler 74'		 Report Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium
Referee: Miguel Nogueira (Portugal)

Heart of Midlothian[edit]

UEFA Europa Conference League

Having finished in fourth place of the Premiership, Hearts qualified for the Europa Conference League and entered in the third qualifying round.[24]

10 August 2023 QR3 Rosenborg BK Norway 2–1 Scotland Heart of Midlothian Trondheim
18:00 BST Frederiksen 14'
Nelson 45+1'		 Report Shankland 78' Stadium: Lerkendal Stadion
Attendance: 11,882
Referee: Andrei Chivulete (Romania)
17 August 2023 QR3 Heart of Midlothian Scotland 3–1
(4–3 agg.)		 Norway Rosenborg BK Edinburgh
19:45 BST Shankland 13'
Devlin 50', 90+2'		 Report Thorvaldsson 5' Stadium: Tynecastle Park
Attendance: 17,942
Referee: David Fuxman (Israel)
24 August 2023 PO Heart of Midlothian Scotland 1–2 Greece PAOK Salonika Edinburgh
19:45 BST Shankland 9' (pen.) Report Schwab 12' (pen.)
A. Živković 75'		 Stadium: Tynecastle Park
Attendance: 17,409
Referee: Andris Treimanis (Latvia)
31 August 2023 PO PAOK Salonika Greece 4–0
(6–1 agg.)		 Scotland Heart of Midlothian Thessaloniki
18:30 BST Taison 16', 71'
Brandon 23'
Konstantelias 57'		 Report Stadium: Toumba Stadium
Attendance: 19,032
Referee: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández (Spain)

Hibernian[edit]

UEFA Europa Conference League

Having finished in fifth place of the Premiership, Hibs qualified for the Europa Conference League and entered in the second qualifying round.[24][40]

27 July 2023 QR2 Inter Club d'Escaldes Andorra 2–1 Scotland Hibernian Andorra la Vella
16:00 BST Gallego 15'
Assoubre 71'		 Report Newell 90+1' Stadium: Estadi Comunal
Attendance: 223
Referee: Joni Hyytiä (Finland)
3 August 2023 QR2 Hibernian Scotland 6–1
(7–3 agg.)		 Andorra Inter Club d'Escaldes Edinburgh
19:15 BST Boyle 10', 21'
Doidge 29'
Campbell 48', 61'
Youan 65'		 Report De la Torre 83' Stadium: Easter Road
Attendance: 13,840
Referee: Peter Kralovic (Slovakia)
10 August 2023 QR3 Hibernian Scotland 3–1 Switzerland Luzern Edinburgh
19:30 BST Newell 46'
Vente 72'
Obita 90'		 Report Beka 56' Stadium: Easter Road
Attendance: 13,075
Referee: Robertas Valikonis (Lithuania)
17 August 2023 QR3 Luzern Switzerland 2–2
(3–5 agg.)		 Scotland Hibernian Luzern
19:45 BST Kadák 16'
Ademi 67'		 Report Youan 10'
Boyle 73'		 Stadium: Swissporarena
Attendance: 13,987
Referee: Aristotelis Diamantopoulos (Greece)
23 August 2023 PO Hibernian Scotland 0–5 England Aston Villa Edinburgh
17:45 BST Report Watkins 17', 33', 48'
Bailey 42'
Luiz 74' (pen.)		 Stadium: Easter Road
Attendance: 19,306
Referee: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea (Spain)
31 August 2023 PO Aston Villa England 3–0
(8–0 agg.)		 Scotland Hibernian Birmingham
20:00 BST Duran 11'
Bailey 34'
Cash 61'		 Report Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 39,467
Referee: Luca Pairetto (Italy)

Scotland national team[edit]

Main article: Scotland national football team 2020–39 results

Scotland qualified for UEFA Euro 2024, after a 1–0 win for Spain against Norway on 15 October 2023 meant that they were guaranteed to finish in a qualifying position.[41]

8 September 2023 Euro 2024 qualifying Cyprus  0–3  Scotland Larnaca
Report McTominay 6'
Porteous 16'
McGinn 30'		 Stadium: AEK Arena
Attendance: 6,633
Referee: Balazs Berke (Hungary)
12 September 2023 Friendly match Scotland  1–3  England Glasgow
Maguire 67' (o.g.) Foden 32'
Bellingham 35'
Kane 81'		 Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 49,129
Referee: Davide Massa (Italy)
12 October 2023 Euro 2024 qualifying Spain  2–0  Scotland Seville
Morata 73'
Sancet 86'		 Report Stadium: Estadio de La Cartuja
Attendance: 45,623
Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük (Netherlands)
17 October 2023 Friendly match France  4–1  Scotland Lille
Pavard 16', 24'
Mbappe 41' (pen.)
Coman 70'		 Report Gilmour 11' Stadium: Stade Pierre-Mauroy
Attendance: 44,000
Referee: Tobias Stieler (Germany)
16 November 2023 Euro 2024 qualifying Georgia  2–2  Scotland Tbilisi
Kvaratskhelia 15', 57' Report McTominay 49'
Shankland 90+2'		 Stadium: Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena
Attendance: 44,595
Referee: Aleksandar Stavrev (North Macedonia)
19 November 2023 Euro 2024 qualifying Scotland  3–3  Norway Glasgow
McGinn 13'
Østigård 33' (o.g.)
Armstrong 59'		 Report Dønnum 3'
Larsen 20'
Elyounoussi 86'		 Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 48,318
Referee: Horațiu Feșnic (Romania)
22 March 2024 Friendly match Netherlands  4–0  Scotland Amsterdam
Reijnders 40'
Wijnaldum 72'
Weghorst 84'
Malen 86'		 Report Stadium: Johan Cruyff Arena
Attendance: 46,223
Referee: Erik Lambrechts (Belgium)
26 March 2024 Friendly match Scotland  0–1  Northern Ireland Glasgow
Report Bradley 32' Stadium: Hampden Park
Referee: Robert Jones (England)
3 June 2024 Friendly match Gibraltar  –  Scotland Faro/Loulé
Stadium: Estadio Algarve
7 June 2024 Friendly match Scotland  –  Finland Glasgow
Stadium: Hampden Park
14 June 2024 Euro 2024 Germany  –  Scotland Munich
Stadium: Allianz Arena
19 June 2024 Euro 2024 Scotland  –   Switzerland Cologne
Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion
23 June 2024 Euro 2024 Scotland  –  Hungary Stuttgart
Stadium: MHPArena

Women's football[edit]

League and Cup honours[edit]

Division Winner
2023–24 SWPL 1
2023–24 SWPL 2
2023–24 SWF Championship
2023–24 SWF League One
Competition Winner Score Runner-up Match report
Scottish Women's Cup
Scottish Women's Premier League Cup
SWFL First Division Cup
SWFL Second Division Cup

Individual honours[edit]

Award Winner Team
Players' Player of the Year Rachel Rowe[22] Rangers
Manager of the Year Jo Potter[22] Rangers
Young Player of the Year Mia McAulay[22] Rangers

Scottish Women's Premier League[edit]

Main article: 2023–24 Scottish Women's Premier League
SWPL 1

2023–24 in Scottish football
Organising bodiesSPFL (since 2022)
First season2002–03
CountryScotland Scotland
ConfederationUEFA
Divisions2
Number of teams20
Level on pyramid1–2
Relegation toScottish Women's Football Championship
Domestic cup(s)Scottish Women's Cup
League cup(s)Scottish Premier League Cup
International cup(s)UEFA Champions League
Current championsGlasgow City (16th title)
Most championshipsGlasgow City (16 titles)
TV partnersBBC Alba, BBC Scotland, Sky Sports
Websiteswpl.uk
Current: 2023–24 Scottish Women's Premier League

The Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL) is the highest level of league competition in women's football in Scotland. Its two divisions are SWPL 1 and SWPL 2. The league was formed when the Premier Division of the Scottish Women's Football League (SWFL) broke away to form the SWPL in 2002. SWPL 2 was introduced in 2016.

The divisions contain (in the 2022–23 season) 12 clubs in SWPL 1 and eight in SWPL 2. Glasgow City have won 16 League championships, including 14 in succession from 2007–08 until 2020–21.[42] The champions and runners-up of SWPL 1 qualify for the UEFA Women's Champions League.[43]

From 2002, the league was owned and managed by Scottish Women's Football. Administration of the SWPL was taken over by the Scottish Football Association in 2007,[44] then by the Scottish Professional Football League in 2022.[45] The SWPL runs on the winter calendar but operated a summer-season format from 2009 until 2020.

History[edit]

2002–2009[edit]

Glasgow City, the SWPL's most successful club, playing Arsenal in a 2014 Champions League match; L-R, Rachel Corsie, Dan Carter and Eilish McSorley

From the Scottish Women's Football Association national and regional leagues dating from 1972, the SWFA and clubs formed the Scottish Women's Football League (SWFL) in 1999, with four national divisions. Its top division broke away to form the Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL) in 2002, with the aim of introducing a more professional attitude and increasing media interest. The twelve founder members of the SWPL were Ayr United, Cove Rangers, Dundee, Giulianos, Glasgow City, F.C. Hamilton, Hibernian, Inver-Ross, F.C. Kilmarnock, Lossiemouth, Raith Rovers and Shettleston.[46][47]

In the 2002–03 season, Kilmarnock became the champions, after a title race with Hibernian.[48][49] Kilmarnock Ladies had formed from the 1971 Scottish Women's Cup-winners Stewarton Thistle,[47] and also won the 2001–02 SWFL, two Scottish Cups and four consecutive League Cups. Kilmarnock's success faded after the departure of manager Jim Chapman and of Scotland internationals including Shelley Kerr,[50] Joanne Love and Linda Brown.[51]

Hibernian Ladies were the most successful club in the League's first five years. The title in 2003–04 went to Hibs, 14 points ahead of Glasgow City,[52][53] and Hibernian added further titles in 2005–06 and in 2006–07 (winning every game that season).[54][55] The Hibs squad included Scotland's Pauline Hamill,[56] Kirsty McBride, Suzanne Grant, Joelle Murray and Kim Little.

Glasgow City won the Scottish championship for the first time in 2004–05,[57][58] coached by Peter Caulfield. The club's next title was in season 2007–08, beating Hibernian by five points, with Celtic placing third in its first season.[59] In 2007, the running of the League was taken over by the Scottish Football Association[44] while the SWFA, renamed SWF, thereafter operated as part of the SFA.[60]

2009–2019[edit]

The women's leagues' move from a winter to a summer schedule (March–November), from 2009, saw a rise in attendances in its first seasons, and far fewer match postponements.[61]

Motherwell with the SWPL 2 trophy in 2018

In the 11-year era of the summer schedule in Scottish women's football, Glasgow City won every title and became one of the most dominant clubs in any national league in world football. Between the 2007–08 and 2015 seasons, City lost only four matches in the League (including one match awarded against them retrospectively for an ineligible player); their squads included Jane Ross, Denise O'Sullivan (each a winner of the SWPL Players' Player of the Year), and Leanne Ross, who ultimately scored 250 goals in 12 seasons at the club.[62] Glasgow City also won the domestic Treble in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.[63][64]

Glasgow City considered applying to join the English league in 2013.[65] Club co-founder Carol Anne Stewart commented, "the FA are investing seriously in women's football. This is where the SFA are miles behind. They don't recognise the potential".[66]

The issue of competitive imbalance was the catalyst for the separation of the top Scottish clubs into two reduced divisions, SWPL 1 and SWPL 2, in 2016.[67]

The first professional contracts in the SWPL were signed at Glasgow Girls (Glasgow Women) in 2016, by Lauren Coleman and Lauren Evans.[68] The next full-time contracts were offered later by Rangers and Celtic.[69]

2020–present[edit]

There were fears for the league's survival when the 2020 season was halted[70] and eventually voided[71] due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with other Scottish football organisations, the SWPL and SWF Championship received donations from the philanthropist James Anderson[72] and from an anonymous donor: "The focus was to buy time so the women’s game could survive the COVID crisis until it was safe for football to return."[73] The £437,500 total was the biggest investment in SWF to date.[73]

The 2020–21 season was completed, as Glasgow City won their 14th title in a row.[42] In 2022, a majority of the 17 SWPL clubs voted to leave SWF and join the SPFL[45][74] after months of negotiations between those parties and the SFA, and an SFA review from April 2020 until mid-2021, which resolved to improve governance of elite competitions.[75][76][77] The decision was aimed at improving the league's commercial profile and broadcasting deal.[76][78] The league maintained its two divisions and expanded to 20 clubs.[79][80] The top two tiers of women's football are run within the SPFL by a separate board that includes the clubs' representatives.[77]

Format[edit]

From 2002–03 until 2008–09, the SWPL followed Scottish football's traditional autumn-spring calendar, as the SWFL had. Scottish Women's Football changed all leagues to a summer format and the SWPL became a summer league from 2009 until 2020, running from March until November. The 2009 season was shortened to fit, as a single round-robin. The 2020 season was abandoned due to COVID-19, and Scottish women's football has reverted to winter seasons from 2020–21 onwards.

The initial Women's Premier League format was based on a double round-robin of 12 clubs. Some seasons had fewer games, in part due to the withdrawals of Shettleston (2003–04),[52] Newburgh Juniors (2007–08),[59] and Queen's Park (2008–09).[81] The 2011 season also had an 11-club league. From 2012 until 2015, the SWPL division used the "split" format for the first and last half of the season: a 12-team single round-robin, then a double round-robin between the top six and bottom six clubs respectively, to decide league champions and two relegation places to the First Division (SWFL 1).

The two-division format that began in 2016 created SWPL 1 and SWPL 2, with eight clubs in each, playing each other three times a season;[82] the mid-season "split" was discontinued. Only the SWPL 2 champion club was promoted, while its two last-placed teams were relegated to SWFL 1.

SWPL 2 was expanded to 10 clubs in 2020. SWPL 1 expanded to 10 clubs in 2021–22,[83] but, because of the withdrawal of SWPL 1's Forfar Farmington from the SWPL,[84] three clubs were promoted from SWPL 2, which shrank to seven clubs playing each other four times.[85]

A 12-club "split" format returned in SWPL 1 in 2022–23, but with a double round-robin before the "split".[79][80] SWPL 2 added three clubs from the Championship; SWPL 2 has eight teams playing each other four times, one automatic promotion place to SWPL 1, and a second place decided by a promotion/relegation play-off.[79]

The SWPL champions have qualified for the UEFA Women's Cup/Women's Champions League since 2003; the first Scottish club to qualify had been the SWFL's Ayr United in 2001. Glasgow City were the first Scottish club to reach the last 16 (2008–09) and the quarter-finals (2014–15, 2019–20). Depending on the Scottish national coefficient, the league runners-up have also qualified in some seasons since 2015, including in 2021–22[43] and 2022–23.

2023–24 teams[edit]

class=notpageimage|
Locations of teams in the SWPL

SWPL 1[edit]

Hamilton Academical's home ground, New Douglas Park
Club Location Home ground Capacity 2022–23 position
Aberdeen Cove Bay Balmoral Stadium 2,602 9th
Celtic Airdrie Excelsior Stadium 10,101 2nd
Dundee United Dundee Gussie Park TBC 10th
Glasgow City Springburn Petershill Park 1,000 1st
Hamilton Academical Hamilton New Douglas Park 6,018 11th
Heart of Midlothian Riccarton Oriam 1,000 4th
Hibernian Edinburgh Meadowbank Stadium 1,320 5th
Montrose Montrose Links Park 4,936 1st (SWPL2)
Motherwell East Kilbride K-Park 500 8th
Partick Thistle Springburn Petershill Park 1,000 6th
Rangers Cumbernauld Broadwood Stadium 8,086 3rd
Spartans Edinburgh Ainslie Park 3,000 7th

SWPL 2[edit]

Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
Club Location Home ground Capacity 2022–23 position
Boroughmuir Thistle Edinburgh Meadowbank Stadium 1,320 5th
Gartcairn Airdrie MTC Park 300 2nd
Glasgow Women Motherwell Alliance Park 500 12th (SWPL1)
Kilmarnock Kilmarnock Rugby Park 15,003 4th
Livingston Livingston Almondvale 9,713 1st (SWF Championship)
Queen's Park Govan New Tinto Park 1,000 6th
St Johnstone Perth Riverside Stadium 500 3rd
Stirling University Stirling Gannochy Sports Centre 1,000 7th

Champions[edit]

See also: Women's football in Scotland § Champions, and Scottish Women's Football League

List of Scottish Women's Premier League seasons:[42]

SWPL 2[edit]

Past SWPL clubs include Ayr United, Dundee, Cove Rangers, Giulianos, Inver-Ross, Lossiemouth, Raith Rovers, Shettleston,[46] East Kilbride,[58] Hutchison Vale, Newburgh Juniors,[94] and Forfar Farmington.[84] Clubs taken over by existing members include Arsenal North (Celtic) and Whitehill Welfare/Edinburgh Ladies (Spartans).

Broadcasting[edit]

In September 2018, it was announced that BBC Alba would broadcast four SWPL 1 matches during the remainder of the 2018 season. Scottish Women's Football (SWF) and BBC Alba also announced that this will be a two-year deal for six games per year,[needs update] including the Scottish Women's Cup final and Scottish Women's Premier League Cup final.[95]

Sponsorship[edit]

The league's sponsors in 2002–03 were Thompsons Solicitors.[49] From 2018, the league was sponsored by the Scottish Building Society.[96] In November 2021 Park's Motor Group became the sponsor, initially running until the end of the 2021–22 season.[97]

In popular culture[edit]

The Scottish Women's Premier League table was first included in the Evening Times Wee Red Book in 2008–09.[98]

References[edit]

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External links[edit]

SWPL 2

2023–24 in Scottish football
Organising bodiesSPFL (since 2022)
First season2002–03
CountryScotland Scotland
ConfederationUEFA
Divisions2
Number of teams20
Level on pyramid1–2
Relegation toScottish Women's Football Championship
Domestic cup(s)Scottish Women's Cup
League cup(s)Scottish Premier League Cup
International cup(s)UEFA Champions League
Current championsGlasgow City (16th title)
Most championshipsGlasgow City (16 titles)
TV partnersBBC Alba, BBC Scotland, Sky Sports
Websiteswpl.uk
Current: 2023–24 Scottish Women's Premier League

The Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL) is the highest level of league competition in women's football in Scotland. Its two divisions are SWPL 1 and SWPL 2. The league was formed when the Premier Division of the Scottish Women's Football League (SWFL) broke away to form the SWPL in 2002. SWPL 2 was introduced in 2016.

The divisions contain (in the 2022–23 season) 12 clubs in SWPL 1 and eight in SWPL 2. Glasgow City have won 16 League championships, including 14 in succession from 2007–08 until 2020–21.[1] The champions and runners-up of SWPL 1 qualify for the UEFA Women's Champions League.[2]

From 2002, the league was owned and managed by Scottish Women's Football. Administration of the SWPL was taken over by the Scottish Football Association in 2007,[3] then by the Scottish Professional Football League in 2022.[4] The SWPL runs on the winter calendar but operated a summer-season format from 2009 until 2020.

History[edit]

2002–2009[edit]

Glasgow City, the SWPL's most successful club, playing Arsenal in a 2014 Champions League match; L-R, Rachel Corsie, Dan Carter and Eilish McSorley

From the Scottish Women's Football Association national and regional leagues dating from 1972, the SWFA and clubs formed the Scottish Women's Football League (SWFL) in 1999, with four national divisions. Its top division broke away to form the Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL) in 2002, with the aim of introducing a more professional attitude and increasing media interest. The twelve founder members of the SWPL were Ayr United, Cove Rangers, Dundee, Giulianos, Glasgow City, F.C. Hamilton, Hibernian, Inver-Ross, F.C. Kilmarnock, Lossiemouth, Raith Rovers and Shettleston.[5][6]

In the 2002–03 season, Kilmarnock became the champions, after a title race with Hibernian.[7][8] Kilmarnock Ladies had formed from the 1971 Scottish Women's Cup-winners Stewarton Thistle,[6] and also won the 2001–02 SWFL, two Scottish Cups and four consecutive League Cups. Kilmarnock's success faded after the departure of manager Jim Chapman and of Scotland internationals including Shelley Kerr,[9] Joanne Love and Linda Brown.[10]

Hibernian Ladies were the most successful club in the League's first five years. The title in 2003–04 went to Hibs, 14 points ahead of Glasgow City,[11][12] and Hibernian added further titles in 2005–06 and in 2006–07 (winning every game that season).[13][14] The Hibs squad included Scotland's Pauline Hamill,[15] Kirsty McBride, Suzanne Grant, Joelle Murray and Kim Little.

Glasgow City won the Scottish championship for the first time in 2004–05,[16][17] coached by Peter Caulfield. The club's next title was in season 2007–08, beating Hibernian by five points, with Celtic placing third in its first season.[18] In 2007, the running of the League was taken over by the Scottish Football Association[3] while the SWFA, renamed SWF, thereafter operated as part of the SFA.[19]

2009–2019[edit]

The women's leagues' move from a winter to a summer schedule (March–November), from 2009, saw a rise in attendances in its first seasons, and far fewer match postponements.[20]

Motherwell with the SWPL 2 trophy in 2018

In the 11-year era of the summer schedule in Scottish women's football, Glasgow City won every title and became one of the most dominant clubs in any national league in world football. Between the 2007–08 and 2015 seasons, City lost only four matches in the League (including one match awarded against them retrospectively for an ineligible player); their squads included Jane Ross, Denise O'Sullivan (each a winner of the SWPL Players' Player of the Year), and Leanne Ross, who ultimately scored 250 goals in 12 seasons at the club.[21] Glasgow City also won the domestic Treble in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.[22][23]

Glasgow City considered applying to join the English league in 2013.[24] Club co-founder Carol Anne Stewart commented, "the FA are investing seriously in women's football. This is where the SFA are miles behind. They don't recognise the potential".[25]

The issue of competitive imbalance was the catalyst for the separation of the top Scottish clubs into two reduced divisions, SWPL 1 and SWPL 2, in 2016.[26]

The first professional contracts in the SWPL were signed at Glasgow Girls (Glasgow Women) in 2016, by Lauren Coleman and Lauren Evans.[27] The next full-time contracts were offered later by Rangers and Celtic.[28]

2020–present[edit]

There were fears for the league's survival when the 2020 season was halted[29] and eventually voided[30] due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with other Scottish football organisations, the SWPL and SWF Championship received donations from the philanthropist James Anderson[31] and from an anonymous donor: "The focus was to buy time so the women’s game could survive the COVID crisis until it was safe for football to return."[32] The £437,500 total was the biggest investment in SWF to date.[32]

The 2020–21 season was completed, as Glasgow City won their 14th title in a row.[1] In 2022, a majority of the 17 SWPL clubs voted to leave SWF and join the SPFL[4][33] after months of negotiations between those parties and the SFA, and an SFA review from April 2020 until mid-2021, which resolved to improve governance of elite competitions.[34][35][36] The decision was aimed at improving the league's commercial profile and broadcasting deal.[35][37] The league maintained its two divisions and expanded to 20 clubs.[38][39] The top two tiers of women's football are run within the SPFL by a separate board that includes the clubs' representatives.[36]

Format[edit]

From 2002–03 until 2008–09, the SWPL followed Scottish football's traditional autumn-spring calendar, as the SWFL had. Scottish Women's Football changed all leagues to a summer format and the SWPL became a summer league from 2009 until 2020, running from March until November. The 2009 season was shortened to fit, as a single round-robin. The 2020 season was abandoned due to COVID-19, and Scottish women's football has reverted to winter seasons from 2020–21 onwards.

The initial Women's Premier League format was based on a double round-robin of 12 clubs. Some seasons had fewer games, in part due to the withdrawals of Shettleston (2003–04),[11] Newburgh Juniors (2007–08),[18] and Queen's Park (2008–09).[40] The 2011 season also had an 11-club league. From 2012 until 2015, the SWPL division used the "split" format for the first and last half of the season: a 12-team single round-robin, then a double round-robin between the top six and bottom six clubs respectively, to decide league champions and two relegation places to the First Division (SWFL 1).

The two-division format that began in 2016 created SWPL 1 and SWPL 2, with eight clubs in each, playing each other three times a season;[41] the mid-season "split" was discontinued. Only the SWPL 2 champion club was promoted, while its two last-placed teams were relegated to SWFL 1.

SWPL 2 was expanded to 10 clubs in 2020. SWPL 1 expanded to 10 clubs in 2021–22,[42] but, because of the withdrawal of SWPL 1's Forfar Farmington from the SWPL,[43] three clubs were promoted from SWPL 2, which shrank to seven clubs playing each other four times.[44]

A 12-club "split" format returned in SWPL 1 in 2022–23, but with a double round-robin before the "split".[38][39] SWPL 2 added three clubs from the Championship; SWPL 2 has eight teams playing each other four times, one automatic promotion place to SWPL 1, and a second place decided by a promotion/relegation play-off.[38]

The SWPL champions have qualified for the UEFA Women's Cup/Women's Champions League since 2003; the first Scottish club to qualify had been the SWFL's Ayr United in 2001. Glasgow City were the first Scottish club to reach the last 16 (2008–09) and the quarter-finals (2014–15, 2019–20). Depending on the Scottish national coefficient, the league runners-up have also qualified in some seasons since 2015, including in 2021–22[2] and 2022–23.

2023–24 teams[edit]

class=notpageimage|
Locations of teams in the SWPL

SWPL 1[edit]

Hamilton Academical's home ground, New Douglas Park
Club Location Home ground Capacity 2022–23 position
Aberdeen Cove Bay Balmoral Stadium 2,602 9th
Celtic Airdrie Excelsior Stadium 10,101 2nd
Dundee United Dundee Gussie Park TBC 10th
Glasgow City Springburn Petershill Park 1,000 1st
Hamilton Academical Hamilton New Douglas Park 6,018 11th
Heart of Midlothian Riccarton Oriam 1,000 4th
Hibernian Edinburgh Meadowbank Stadium 1,320 5th
Montrose Montrose Links Park 4,936 1st (SWPL2)
Motherwell East Kilbride K-Park 500 8th
Partick Thistle Springburn Petershill Park 1,000 6th
Rangers Cumbernauld Broadwood Stadium 8,086 3rd
Spartans Edinburgh Ainslie Park 3,000 7th

SWPL 2[edit]

Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
Club Location Home ground Capacity 2022–23 position
Boroughmuir Thistle Edinburgh Meadowbank Stadium 1,320 5th
Gartcairn Airdrie MTC Park 300 2nd
Glasgow Women Motherwell Alliance Park 500 12th (SWPL1)
Kilmarnock Kilmarnock Rugby Park 15,003 4th
Livingston Livingston Almondvale 9,713 1st (SWF Championship)
Queen's Park Govan New Tinto Park 1,000 6th
St Johnstone Perth Riverside Stadium 500 3rd
Stirling University Stirling Gannochy Sports Centre 1,000 7th

Champions[edit]

See also: Women's football in Scotland § Champions, and Scottish Women's Football League

List of Scottish Women's Premier League seasons:[1]

SWPL 2[edit]

Past SWPL clubs include Ayr United, Dundee, Cove Rangers, Giulianos, Inver-Ross, Lossiemouth, Raith Rovers, Shettleston,[5] East Kilbride,[17] Hutchison Vale, Newburgh Juniors,[53] and Forfar Farmington.[43] Clubs taken over by existing members include Arsenal North (Celtic) and Whitehill Welfare/Edinburgh Ladies (Spartans).

Broadcasting[edit]

In September 2018, it was announced that BBC Alba would broadcast four SWPL 1 matches during the remainder of the 2018 season. Scottish Women's Football (SWF) and BBC Alba also announced that this will be a two-year deal for six games per year,[needs update] including the Scottish Women's Cup final and Scottish Women's Premier League Cup final.[54]

Sponsorship[edit]

The league's sponsors in 2002–03 were Thompsons Solicitors.[8] From 2018, the league was sponsored by the Scottish Building Society.[55] In November 2021 Park's Motor Group became the sponsor, initially running until the end of the 2021–22 season.[56]

In popular culture[edit]

The Scottish Women's Premier League table was first included in the Evening Times Wee Red Book in 2008–09.[57]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Schöggl, Hans. "Scotland (Women) - List of Champions". RSSSF.
  2. ^ a b "2022/23 Women's Champions League: dates, access list, full guide (Wednesday 20 October 2021)". uefa.com. UEFA.
  3. ^ a b "Women's football: SFA in charge as Celts join up". Glasgow Times. 9 August 2007. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020.
  4. ^ a b "SWPL to be administered by the SPFL for season 2022/23". Scottish Women's Football. 15 February 2022. Archived from the original on 15 February 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Scottish women's league kicks off". BBC Sport. 9 August 2002. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  6. ^ a b "Clubs, SCOTTISH WOMEN'S PREMIER LEAGUE (2002—03)". SWFA. Archived from the original on 16 May 2003.
  7. ^ "KILLIE STILL TOPS". SWFA. Archived from the original on 16 May 2003.
  8. ^ a b "HIBERNIAN CLOSE THE GAP". SWFA. Archived from the original on 16 May 2003.
  9. ^ Clark, Ginny (3 November 2004). "WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: Shel makes boss plea". Daily Record.
  10. ^ "Killie Ladies shine for Scotland". Killiefc.com. 15 July 2003. Archived from the original on 12 August 2003.
  11. ^ a b Schöggl, Hans. "Scotland (Women) 2003/04". RSSSF.
  12. ^ Clark, Ginny (29 October 2003). "Women's football: Hibees hit the heights". Daily Record.
  13. ^ a b Schöggl, Hans. "Scotland (Women) 2005/06". RSSSF.
  14. ^ Schöggl, Hans. "Scotland (Women) 2006/07". RSSSF.
  15. ^ "Hibernian Ladies Scottish League Champions 2005/2006". Youtube. BBC Alba.
  16. ^ a b Clark, Ginny (25 May 2005). "WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: City closing in on glory". Daily Record.
  17. ^ a b c Clark, Ginny (1 June 2005). "WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: Glory at last for City girls". Daily Record.
  18. ^ a b c Schöggl, Hans. "Scotland (Women) 2007/08". RSSSF.
  19. ^ "Scottish Womens Football". Scottish Football Association. The Scottish FA. Archived from the original on 23 May 2010.
  20. ^ "Scottish football season: Should it be moved to the summer?". BBC Sport. 2 May 2013.
  21. ^ MacBeath, Amy (27 October 2018). "SWPL 1: Glasgow City's Leanne Ross on brink of 12th consecutive title". BBC Sport Scotland.
  22. ^ "Glasgow City secure sixth Scottish Cup win and second successive domestic treble". Scotzine. 17 November 2013.
  23. ^ a b "Glasgow City: Scott Booth hails treble-winning side". BBC Sport. 8 November 2015.
  24. ^ Campbell, Alan (12 February 2013). "Glasgow City's dream move south meets opposition". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 10 March 2022.
  25. ^ "Glasgow City 'surprised' after FA close door on switch to England". The Herald. 21 February 2013.
  26. ^ Melee, Lewis. "An exploration of the Scottish Women's Premier League 2016 league restructure" (PDF). Abertay University.
  27. ^ Clark, Ginny (16 October 2016). "Pro deal first for the Girls; women's football". Sunday Mail. – (Article on PressReader)
  28. ^ Campbell, Alan (22 December 2019). "Full-time football can increase competition in SWPL". The Herald.
  29. ^ "SWPL clubs 'can't be overlooked' in survival fight - Leanne Crichton". BBC Sport. 6 June 2020.
  30. ^ Lewis, Jane (29 July 2020). "SWPL season declared null and void after one round of games". BBC Sport.
  31. ^ "James Anderson makes further donation to Scottish football as he gifts women's game with £250,000". Glasgow Times. 16 June 2020.
  32. ^ a b "Keepie Uppie: The Magazine of the SFP Partnership & Trust (December 2020)" (PDF). The Scottish Football Partnership. p. 3.
  33. ^ "SWPL clubs to be invited to join SPFL after majority vote to leave SWF". BBC Sport. 15 February 2022. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022.
  34. ^ Campbell, Alan (19 April 2020). "SFA should take SPFL's handling of men's game into account when deciding future of the SWPL". The Herald. Archived from the original on 25 April 2020.
  35. ^ a b Campbell, Alan (19 December 2021). "Top SWPL clubs set to meet SPFL for game-changing talks". The Herald. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021.
  36. ^ a b Goodwin, Sophie (16 February 2022). "Scottish FA Head of Girls' and Women's Football says SWPL's move to SPFL is the 'biggest change' she's seen in the women's game". The Press & Journal. Archived from the original on 16 February 2022.
  37. ^ "SPFL to take charge of Scottish Women's Premier League in bold bid to boost profile and finances". Daily Record. 15 February 2022. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022.
  38. ^ a b c "SWPL announce 12-team top flight plans to mirror mens' [sic] SPFL". Edinburgh News. 1 April 2022. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022.
  39. ^ a b "SWPL top flight expanding to 12 teams for next season". BBC Scotland. 1 April 2022. Archived from the original on 1 April 2022.
  40. ^ a b Schöggl, Hans. "Scotland (Women) 2008/09". RSSSF.
  41. ^ "New SWPL 1 & SWPL 2 season 2016". Scottish FA. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015.
  42. ^ "SWPL: No relegation this season with top flight to expand to 10 teams". BBC Sport. 12 October 2020.
  43. ^ a b "Forfar Farmington a sorry casualty of the professional era". The Herald. 15 August 2021. Archived from the original on 15 August 2021.
  44. ^ "SWF Statement - 2021/22 SWPL 2 format". SWF. Archived from the original on 2 September 2021.
  45. ^ "Glasgow City clinch Scottish Women's Premier League". BBC. 2 October 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  46. ^ "Glasgow City beat Aberdeen as they lift sixth SWPL title". BBC. 28 October 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  47. ^ "Glasgow City secure 10 in a row with a 3-1 win over Hibernian". glasgowlive.co.uk. 23 October 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  48. ^ "SWPL: Glasgow City beat Spartans to claim 12th title in a row". BBC Sport. 28 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  49. ^ "Park's SWPL: Rangers Women champions for first time". She Kicks. Archived from the original on 9 May 2022.
  50. ^ Rangers end 14 years of Glasgow City dominance with historic SWPL title win, Rangers News, 8 May 2022
  51. ^ McGill, Sean (21 May 2023). "How Glasgow City's title triumph unfolded as Celtic and Rangers are left disappointed". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  52. ^ "Glasgow Women promoted in thrilling final day for SWPL - Scottish Women's Football". SWF. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022.
  53. ^ "Clubs, SCOTTISH WOMEN'S PREMIER LEAGUE (2007–08)". SWFA. Archived from the original on 1 April 2008.
  54. ^ "BBC ALBA set to broadcast four Scottish Building Society SWPL games". Scottish Women's Premier League. 4 September 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018. In 2023 Sky Sports and also BBC Scotland have been airing SWPL1 games
  55. ^ "Scottish women's champions to receive prize money for first time". BBC Sport. BBC. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  56. ^ Diamond, Drew (22 November 2021). "Historic new sponsorship deal for Scottish top flight". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  57. ^ Gray, Rebecca (3 July 2009). "81 fascinating football facts - all from the Wee Red Book". Evening Times. Glasgow Times.

External links[edit]

UEFA Women's Champions League[edit]

Glasgow City[edit]

6 September 2023 (2023-09-06) Round 1 Glasgow City Scotland 2–0 Republic of Ireland Shelbourne Šiauliai
Lovera 54'
Davidson 65'		 Report Stadium: Siauliai central stadium
Referee: Ifeoma Kulmala (Finland)
9 September 2023 (2023-09-09) Round 1 Glasgow City Scotland 3–0 Lithuania Gintra Šiauliai
Lovera 1'
Weir 29'
Davidson 67'		 Report Stadium: Siauliai central stadium
Attendance: 550[1]
Referee: Andromachi Tsiofliki (Greece)
11 October 2023 (2023-10-11) Round 2 Glasgow City Scotland 0–4 Norway Brann Glasgow
19:35 BST Report Engesvik 5', 39'
Eikeland 13'
Lund 86'		 Stadium: Petershill Park
Attendance: 865[2]
Referee: Ewa Augustyn (Poland)
18 October 2023 (2023-10-18) Round 2 Brann Norway 2–0
(6–0 agg.)		 Scotland Glasgow City Bergen
18:00 BST
Report Stadium: Brann Stadion
Referee: Marta Huerta de Aza (Spain)

Celtic[edit]

6 September 2023 (2023-09-06) Round 1 Brøndby Denmark 0–1 Scotland Celtic Oslo
Report Clark 69' Stadium: Intility Arena
Referee: Gamze Durmuş (Turkey)
9 September 2023 (2023-09-09) Round 1 Vålerenga Norway 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(11–10 p)		 Scotland Celtic Oslo
Tvedten 5'
Thorsnes 120+3' (pen.)		 Report Loferski 9'
Smith 116'		 Stadium: Intility Arena
Referee: Olatz Rivera Olmedo (Spain)
Penalties

Scotland women's national team[edit]

Main article: Scotland women's national football team 2020–29 results
14 July 2023 Friendly Scotland  3–0  Northern Ireland Dundee
Cuthbert 32'
Kerr 37'
Thomas 39'		 Report Stadium: Dens Park
Referee: Lisa Benn (England)
17 July 2023 Friendly Finland  1–2  Scotland Tampere
Pikkujämsä 25' Report Weir 13'
Watson 19'		 Stadium: Tampere Stadium
22 September 2023 Nations League A England  2–1  Scotland Sunderland
Bronze 39'
Hemp 45'		 Report Hanson 45+2' Stadium: Stadium of Light
Attendance: 41,947[3]
Referee: Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi (Italy)
26 September 2023 Nations League A Scotland  1–1  Belgium Glasgow
Howard 90+4' Report Missipo 52' Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 7,058[4]
Referee: Eleni Antoniou (Greece)
27 October 2023 Nations League A Netherlands  4–0  Scotland Nijmegen
van de Donk 12'
Brugts 32'
Beerensteyn 52', 71'		 Report Stadium: Goffertstadion
Attendance: 10,850[5]
Referee: Ivana Projkovska (North Macedonia)
31 October 2023 Nations League A Scotland  0–1  Netherlands Glasgow
Report Brugts 60' Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 5,186[6]
Referee: Jana Adámková (Czech Republic)
1 December 2023 Nations League A Belgium  1–1  Scotland Leuven
Detruyer 30' Report Cuthbert 34' Stadium: Den Dreef
Attendance: 4,730[7]
Referee: Olatz Rivera Olmedo (Spain)
5 December 2023 Nations League A Scotland  0–6  England Glasgow
Report Greenwood 13'
James 38', 39'
Mead 45+1'
Kirby 49'
Bronze 90+3'		 Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 15,320
Referee: Alina Peşu (Romania)
24 February 2024 2024 Pinatar Cup Philippines  0–2  Scotland San Pedro del Pinatar
Report Thomas 23', 36' Stadium: Pinatar Arena
Attendance: 200
Referee: Jana Adámková (Czech Republic)
27 February 2024 2024 Pinatar Cup Scotland  1–1
(4–5 p)		  Finland San Pedro del Pinatar
Thomas 75' Report Sevenius 21' Stadium: Pinatar Arena
Attendance: 200
Referee: Jana Adámková (Czech Republic)
5 April 2024 Euro 2025 qualifying Serbia  0–0  Scotland Leskovac
Report Stadium: Dubočica Stadium
Referee: Riem Hussein (Germany)
9 April 2024 Euro 2025 qualifying Scotland  1–0  Slovakia Glasgow
Howard 61' Report Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 3,127
Referee: Jelena Pejković (Croatia)
31 May 2024 Euro 2025 qualifying Scotland  –  Israel Glasgow
Stadium: Hampden Park
4 June 2024 Euro 2025 qualifying Israel  –  Scotland

Deaths[edit]

  • July: Paul Watchman, 70, Clyde midfielder.[8] (announced 18 July)
  • 24 July: Trevor Francis, 69, Rangers forward.[9]
  • 30 July: Benny Rooney, 80, Celtic, Dumbarton, Dundee United, St Johnstone and Partick Thistle defender; Greenock Morton, Partick Thistle and Albion Rovers manager.[10]
  • 13 August: Joe Caven, 86, Airdrieonians, Raith Rovers, Greenock Morton and Stirling Albion forward.[11]
  • 23 August: Hugh Murney, 84, Morton, Dumbarton and Queen of the South wing-half.[12]
  • 17 September: Ronnie McKinnon, 83, Rangers and Scotland defender.[13]
  • 27 September: Jim Forrest, 79, Rangers, Aberdeen and Scotland forward.[14]
  • 1 October: Frank McDougall, 65, Clydebank, St Mirren and Aberdeen forward.[15]
  • 5 October: Bill Munro, 89, Kilmarnock and East Stirlingshire forward; Clydebank and Airdrie manager.[16]
  • 10 October: Willie Hinshelwood, 90, Greenock Morton and Hamilton Academical defender.[17]
  • 23 October: John Wilkie, 76, Brechin City, Arbroath, Raith Rovers and Greenock Morton winger.[18]
  • October: David Curlett, 91, Kilmarnock, Dundee and Ayr United centre forward and wing half.[19] (announced 24 October)
  • 13 November: Gordon Wallace, 74, Raith Rovers, Dundee United, Berwick Rangers and Cowdenbeath forward.[20]
  • November: Billy McPhee, 74, Rangers, East Fife and Berwick Rangers forward.[21] (announced 18 November)
  • 9 December: Willie McCulloch, 75, Alloa Athletic, Airdrieonians and Berwick Rangers midfielder; Cowdenbeath manager.[22]
  • 29 December: Ian Dair, 69, Cowdenbeath right-half.[23]
  • 15 January: Denis Connaghan, 79, St Mirren, Celtic, Greenock Morton and Clyde goalkeeper.[24]
  • 27 January: Stuart Gray, 50, Celtic and Greenock Morton full-back.[25]
  • 30 January: Ally Shewan, 83, Aberdeen left-back.[26]
  • 12 February: Tam Gourlay, 74, Airdrieonians, Partick Thistle and East Stirlingshire goalkeeper.[27]
  • February: Ian McMillan, 92, Airdrie, Rangers and Scotland inside forward; Airdrie manager.[28]
  • 23 February: Harry Melrose, 88, Dunfermline Athletic, Aberdeen and Berwick Rangers winger and inside forward, Berwick Rangers and Dunfermline Athletic manager.[29]
  • March: John Lough, 89, Heart of Midlothian and Arbroath defender.[30] (announced 5 March)
  • March: Raymond Edgar, 68, Hamilton Academical, Queen's Park, Clyde and East Stirlingshire midfielder and winger.[31] (announced 8 March)
  • 20 March: Jan Szpula, 101, Alloa Athletic and Stirling Albion winger.[32]
  • 29 March: Iain McChesney, 79, Queen of the South defender.[33]

Notes and references[edit]

  1. ^ "Glasgow City vs. Gintra" (JSON). Union of European Football Associations. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Glasgow City vs. Brann" (JSON). Union of European Football Associations. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  3. ^ "England v Scotland" (JSON). Union of European Football Associations. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  4. ^ "Scotland v Belgium" (JSON). Union of European Football Associations. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  5. ^ "Netherlands v Scotland" (JSON). Union of European Football Associations. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Scotland v Netherlands" (JSON). Union of European Football Associations. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Belgium v Scotland" (JSON). Union of European Football Associations. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  8. ^ Paul Watchman
  9. ^ "Trevor Francis: Ex-England player and Britain's first £1m footballer dies aged 69". BBC Sport. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  10. ^ "Benny Rooney Tribute". perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk. St Johnstone FC. 30 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  11. ^ Steele, Russell (15 August 2023). "Joe Caven: Tributes as ex-Morton hero dies aged 86". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  12. ^ "Vale Hugh Murney". Football Victoria. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  13. ^ Wilson, Stewart (17 September 2023). "Rangers legend Ronnie McKinnon dies aged 83". The Herald. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  14. ^ Wilson, Stewart (27 September 2023). "Rangers legend Jim Forrest dies aged 79". The Herald. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  15. ^ "Frank McDougall: Former Aberdeen and St Mirren striker dies aged 65". BBC Sport. 1 October 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  16. ^ Grant, Tom (6 October 2023). "Former Clydebank manager Bill Munro dies aged 89". Clydebank Post. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  17. ^ William Hinshelwood 1933-2023
  18. ^ "John Wilkie (1947–2023)". Wigan Athletic FC. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  19. ^ David Curlett 1932-2023
  20. ^ Greer, John (13 November 2023). "A tribute to Gordon Wallace". Raith Rovers FC. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  21. ^ Billy McPhee: tributes paid after death of East Fife legend
  22. ^ "Willie McCulloch". airdrie. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  23. ^ Ian 'Dan' Dair
  24. ^ St Mirren pays condolences to Denis Connaghan
  25. ^ Former Celtic player Stuart Gray dies aged 50
  26. ^ Former captain Shewan dies at 83
  27. ^ Tam Gourlay
  28. ^ Young, Graeme (16 February 2024). "Rangers icon Ian McMillan passes away aged 92 as club pay loving tribute to the 'Wee Prime Minister'". Daily Record. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  29. ^ Harry Melrose (31.5.35 – 22.2.24)
  30. ^ John Lough
  31. ^ Raymond Edgar
  32. ^ Jan Szpula
  33. ^ Iain McChesney
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