By Gethin Thurlow (16/8/25)
Above: A player from each of the 10 SWPL clubs as the league launches for the new season Photo: Colin Poultney/Malcolm Mackenzie
After years of Glasgow City domination, the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) had delivered 4 different winners in a row, and 3 straight title races going down to the wire. The 2025/26 season is gearing up to be another cracker, with the league more competitive and at a higher level than ever before.
Impetus’ Gethin Thurlow looks in depth at every team, how they have changed over the summer and how the table could be shaping up come May.
Hamilton Academical
The ‘Accies’ are the only new team in the league, having gained promotion by winning the SWPL2 last year. The jump from one league to the next is significant and as such a title-winning SWPL2 squad is probably quite far away from competing in the top league, especially with 10 teams instead of the 12 that made up the SWPL for the last few years.
With a clear understanding of this, Hamilton have added several players to their squad, particularly focusing on those with previous SWPL experience. Standout among these signings is the young midfielder Lucy Barclay, who has played for Celtic and Motherwell and will be key for Hamilton if they are to be competitive this year.
Manager Robert Watson has said in interviews that the club’s aim is to finish eighth, and while this may not seem ambitious, it would be an incredible achievement. The way it works in the SWPL is that 10th place goes straight down, then ninth goes into a playoff with the second-placed team from the SWPL2 to decide who will play in the SWPL the next season.
Given the quality of the top nine clubs from last year, all picking up at least 37 points across 32 games, beating two of these would be a huge success for Hamilton. This is especially true when you consider that their players are not paid at all, while almost the entire league offers at least some part-time contracts.
It will take a lot for the Accies to avoid 10th place, and I’m not sure they will manage it, but they are sure to put up a fight in every game and represent the community of Hamilton appropriately.
Montrose
Montrose secured ninth position and survival with a 4-0 victory on the final day of last season. Having advanced up the leagues quickly since they were formed in 2016, staying in the top division was an important step for the club, and they will be looking to build on this as the league gets tougher.
To do this, the Gable Endies (yes this is their nickname) have been active in the transfer window, with the headline being a trio of loanees from Heart of Midlothian, including Ashley Robertson, who is a bright young Scottish talent in the left back position, currently representing Scotland at under-19’s level. Left winger Leah Fleming was the highlight in terms of permanent moves for Montrose, and she brings the pedigree of playing in America for the last three years.
This season will be the most difficult yet for Montrose, as it is the first time that their most common final position of ninth or 10th will get them either relegated or in the playoffs. They will have to perform better than ever to confirm that top eight position.
Aberdeen
Another team that has been on the up since they got into the league is Aberdeen, who came home eighth last season after battling with Partick for seventh right to the death. Ultimately however, fighting between seventh and eighth is not where the club want to be, and they have transformed this summer in a bid to reach the top six.
18-year-old defender Abi Tobin joining permanently from Rangers was a steal for the Don’s. On loan at Hamilton last year, she claimed both the league title and the SWPL2 young player of the year. On the other end of the pitch, striker Bridget Galloway brings goals and experience in English football, having represented Sunderland, Newcastle, Durham and Nottingham Forrest across the top two divisions.
Perhaps the biggest statement of intent shown in any transfer across the league was by Aberdeen, in bringing Chelsea and England U-19 goalkeeper Katie Cox onboard for a season long loan. Developing under the guidance of some of the greatest keepers in the world, it’s clear Cox has incredible talent and she will bring so much to the SWPL. Whether it’s a young player and whether it’s just a loan or not, doing business with the eight-time English champions is no joke and Aberdeen have their sights clearly set on improving themselves beyond recognition.
That initial goal for Aberdeen will be getting into the top six. While this may seem a random number, it would be a great achievement for Aberdeen and indeed the clubs above them for various reasons.
In Scotland, the ‘Split’ exists. This is where, after each team has played each other twice, the top six and bottom four form two separate groups, play each other twice again to make up the season. The final positions are determined by total points across all games, with the top split occupying the top six positions then the bottom four filling the rest. Even if someone from the bottom split ends with more points than someone from the top split overall, the top split team would stay above them as they have earned that position by qualifying for that top split position.
Due to five teams being professional, they are always going to take those top five places. As such getting into that top six by the time the split happens is the primary aim of all the other clubs, and being ‘best of the rest’ is almost like winning the league for them. This will undoubtedly be the main focus of Aberdeen, Partick Thistle and Motherwell for the upcoming season and the Dons have not hidden that intention with their work over the summer.
Partick Thistle
Partick had really asserted themselves as that sixth best team the last few years, so losing out on the top split last year was bitterly disappointing, although they were able to win games at the back end of the season unlike they usually get the chance to, surely a good thing for morale. As they said goodbye to the busiest man in football (Brain Graham had managed the women’s team at the same time being a player-manager at the men’s team) a rebuild was in order.
Dave Elliot was brought in to bring back that success on the pitch, while the recruitment team got to work behind the scenes. The losses of Caley Gibb and Tiree Burchill were tough, yet the fact that they secured professional football at Hibs proves the level of Partick, and the club’s ability to bring out the potential in those players.
Not everything went against Partick in the summer though and as Elliot described it was truly a coup to sign the Scottish footballing legend that is Jo Love. Capped an incredible 191 times for the national side, central midfielder Love won 21 trophies in her time at Glasgow City. While at 39 she may be past her peak physical capabilities, the experience, mentality, work ethic and undeniable talent she can bring to the club is invaluable and she will be responsible for any improvement shown by Partick this season.
Motherwell
The team that made it at Thistle’s expense you’re wondering? That would be Motherwell. Reaching the top six is the best result in their relatively short history, but there are no laurels being rested on here, and having tasted that success Motherwell are pushing for more of the same as other teams around them strengthen too.
They have been as active as anyone in the transfer window, although it is not just players coming in. Player of the year for the last two years Louisa Boyes departed the club for title-hunting Glasgow City, but once again that is a positive reflection on the club in general. 16-year-old defender Lily Boyce from Rangers coming into the team on loan is very exciting and she is one to watch for the future. Getting your senior debut at Rangers aged only 15 is no mean feat and Motherwell’s defence will be shored up by her presence.
After Hibs stalwart Shannon Leishman spent the second half of last year on loan a permanent deal seemed natural but is still a big scalp for Motherwell – to have someone that was such a major part of a fully professional team on their books will only serve them well as they look to return to that top split.
The only thing that you could suggest Motherwell would want to improve on after last season would be that performance once they got into the split. They lost every single game. While it is going to be difficult facing professional sides week after week; they still would have liked to take at least a point away and that can be something to aim for this season.
Heart of Midlothian
While fifth place last season saw Hearts dip below the position they’ve established since becoming professional – fourth; they were actually closer to the top than ever and it was arguably their greatest season. Indeed, that was what new signing Mairead Fulton from Glasgow City thought, explaining her decision to join the Edinburgh club by saying “seeing the progression over the last few seasons, it’s an exciting time to be part of the club.”
This is something that manager Eva Olid has been building since she was first appointed, and the clubs progress is clear to see in the way they cause issues to the title challengers now. Fulton described the Spanish manager as “one of the main factors” in her choice to sign with Hearts and praised the style of football which is “enjoyable to watch” under Olid.
It was a change of goalkeepers over the summer break as Charlotte Parker-Smith exited following six years at the club and Carolina Vilão, the Portuguese keeper replaced her, having played in New Zealand the season prior and with Benfica in the champions league before that. Keri Halliday is also a very exciting signing. The young winger has already become a star for her country Northern Ireland, winning player of the year in 2024.
For the season ahead, Fulton said that the club were aiming to “continue progressing and competing at the top,” which seems like a reasonable goal. By staying relatively stable and letting Eva Olid keep doing her thing without risking disrupting that by doing too much too soon, Hearts are setting themselves on a path towards to top and who knows whether this will be the year they can reach it.
Celtic
Around December 2024, it looked like Celtic had become a new version of Glasgow City and were on the brink of dominating Scottish football for years. They were top of the league, having finally claimed their first SWPL the season before and they were competing in the group stages of the Champions League, being the Scottish team to qualify. Then it all came crashing down. The number of games they were playing took its toll and Celtic collapsed, finishing only fourth in the end.
For such a big club, and following what was such a successful few months, that was a huge blow and a feeling that Celtic weren’t used to experiencing. The disappointment wouldn’t end there however as a mass of players left the club at the end of their contracts, including people that had been so crucial for the ‘Ghirls’ in their golden period. Bruna Lourenço, Lucy Ashworth Clifford, Murphy Agnew and Abi Harrison all departed, leaving holes throughout the starting lineup.
However, there has only been two signings by Celtic so far. Defender Claire Walsh and Midfielder Lisa Robertson both bring strong experience from the SWPL, but they are perhaps not the ambitious, game changers that Celtic’s fanbase would have been hoping to see brought into the team. With so many areas weakened those players leaving not addressed by those two additions, its fair to say Celtic fans have not had a happy window.
Naturally, those two factors have led to manager Elena Sadiku being questioned but long serving defender Chloe Craig ensured to us that within the squad “she’s our leader, we’re all behind her.” While she may have the team fully behind her, the fans will still take some convincing, and Sadiku undoubtedly needs a fast start to the season if she is to persuade them and avoid more of that noise.
When challenged on the quality of the squad and their title-winning capabilities, Craig responded valiantly, arguing that every player is good enough for that because “if you’re at Celtic, you’re there for a reason” and that the squad has belief they can “right the wrongs of last season.” It is hard to judge this Celtic team, but their ability to have full focus on domestic football can only be beneficial.
Rangers
Rangers must be feeling déjà vu. For the second season in a row, they come disappointed that the league title escaped them, while simultaneously wanting to repeat aspects of the season that did bring them success. Heartbreaking losses on the final day took the league title away from them in consecutive years, but the reprieve was back-to-back cup doubles. Asked whether those seasons can be a success despite the title eluding them, club captain Nicola Dochery told us “Four trophies – that is still a success, but it’s the league title we really want.”
Given how Rangers did play throughout the season, they really should have brought the title back to Ibrox. Scoring 139 goals across 32 games, Rangers blew away almost every opponent that they played, but it was the games against other title rivals they couldn’t hack. Two losses post-split to eventual champions Hibs made up their six-point losing margin, while they also fell to Glasgow City twice across the season. While they were able to score five past almost every opposition, this didn’t translate to getting through those tight games.
Looking ahead to this season, this will be the main thing for new manager Leanne Crichton to solve. After Jo Potter departed for Crystal Palace, Rangers’ search eventually led them to Glasgow City legend and then assistant coach Crichton. Nicola Docherty said she was “really excited” for the season ahead under Crichton, and that having played alongside her for almost a decade “I respect her just as much as my manager.”
Crichton will have to execute those plans without some key parts of that goalscoring machine last year, as Rio Hardy, Chelsea Cornet and Kirsty Maclean all left the club alongside keeper Victoria Essen. Rangers’ fans can feel positive though with the incomings, most notably Alice Griffiths, the Welsh international midfielder can bring that extra strength in midfield to help them control and dominate the midfield areas when facing those other top sides.
Glasgow City
Having won an incredible 16 titles overall including a run of 14 in a row, Glasgow have certainly got all the history in Scottish football. The professionalisation of more clubs however has seen others rise to challenge them, and last season marked the first time since 2007 that Glasgow lost the title two years straight. This does not mean they’re fading by any means however, battling right up towards the top every year and coming home second last year, securing Champions League football.
While many teams have suffered tough losses in the transfer window, Glasgow City have lost more talent than anyone. Arguably the best player in the league, commanding centre-back Samantha van Diemen was sold to Italian giants Roma, while their best striker Brenna Lovera moved to regular Champions League qualifiers SK Brann.
Glasgow have also probably brought the most quality to the club. Abi Harrison moved across the city, Loisa Boyes will add some quality to the squad after her brilliant recent run at Motherwell, while Irish international Erin McLaughlin is probably the headline signing in midfield. New defender Emma Brownlie told us she made the move from Hearts because it “felt like the right fit.” As a defender she will be tasked with trying to replace van Diemen, which is not easy at all.
When asked about ambitions for the upcoming year, Brownlie confidently expressed that Glasgow City have “built a squad we believe can compete on all fronts domestically,” and it remains clear that Glasgow City’s standards have not dropped even while the trophies have dried up a little. There is no reason to doubt them entering this season despite their big personal losses in the transfer window
Hibernian
Finally then we come to last year’s champions. They somehow brought the SWPL back to Leith after consistent fifth place finishes in the seasons prior. With all the eyes on them, there will be no going under the radar so trying to win again will be an “extremely difficult task” in the words of striker Eilidh Adams.
What is unique about Hibernian this window is that they have managed to keep the squad that won the league together. Yes, they have lost some players, but no one that was a key playing member, especially in the back half of that historic season. The business they have done is exciting, bringing in youngsters Hannah Jordan and Tiree Burchill in the attacking areas, two players that were welcomed by Adams as it is “great to have competitiveness within the squad.”
While they are not new signings, the return of key players within the missed the crunch time of last season like Rachel Boyle and Ellis Notley can certainly help as the Hibees face a tough task to try and win the league again, while also playing Champions League football. Eilidh Adams emphasised that when it came to Europe “every player has a role” in the squad and managing the minutes of key players will be something Grant Scott has to get right.
When asked about the team’s aims for the season, Adams took a lesson from Grant Scott’s own expectation-setting last season, saying that they will “take each game as it comes” rather than focusing on the bigger picture. As a media tactic that worked so well last year, why not do it again, so expect to see similar words coming from Scott at any opportunity this season.
Overall Picture
There we have it, a full breakdown of each team. With Hamilton and Montrose doing all they can to avoid that bottom two; Aberdeen, Partick and Motherwell all aiming for the top six the SWPL will be entertaining and twisting with every game and every goal. Meanwhile, Hibs miracle run last year means that any of the top five could win the title. There are arguments to be made for and against every team. With the teams looking so different from a year ago, who knows what could happen.
Having said that, if I was to make a prediction, this would be my table for the 2025/26 SWPL season.
- Glasgow City
- Rangers
- Hibernian
- Heart of Midlothian
- Celtic
- Aberdeen
- Partick Thistle
- Motherwell
- Montrose
- Hamilton Academical
The season kicks off tomorrow Sunday the 17th August, with BBC Alba and BBC Scotland showing games at least once per weekend. Many of the non-televised games are streamed on the club’s own YouTube channels.
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