Latest news with #HampdenPark
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
'Excited' Andreatta says Scots can avoid relegation
Women's Nations League: Scotland v AustriaDate: 30 May Time: 19:35 BST Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow Coverage: Live on BBC Alba and also watch and follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website. New head coach Melissa Andreatta is more excited by the possibilities for the Scotland's Women's team after working with the players for the first time - and believes they can preserve their top-tier Nations League round off a so-far miserable Nations League Group A1 campaign at home to Austria on Friday before travelling to the Netherlands four days later - with both matches live on the they did during their first stint in League A in 2023, Scotland have struggled among the elite of the Nations League and have yet to take a point from their four have a chance of preserving their League A status via a play-off, they will need to beat Austria by two goals at lost 1-0 on matchday one at the Josko Arena but those are Austria's only points of their own modest the former Australia assistant head coach was asked if she believes her new side can avoid Nations League relegation, she replied "we believe we can do that".The 46-year-old added: "'Excited' is a good word for me to use. I definitely am, but I want to be measured as well and know that it's going to take time and there's progress to be made in order to match our ambition with the belief."The first few weeks have been more than I had hoped for. I said to the players that I'm falling in love with this country and the football speaks for itself. "I only see opportunity and yes, there's going to be tough times and yes, there's a lot of progress to be made, but we believe in what we have, we believe we have what it takes and we're going to fight."Andreatta has taken over following the exit of Pedro Martinez Losa - who is now in charge of Mexican club Tigres - after Scotland's failure to reach the Euro 2025 will only have two games to work with Rachel Corsie, as the 35-year-old will retire at the end of this international Australian paid tribute to the former captain's demeanour around what will be her final international camp."Rachel Corsie - what a legend," added Andreatta."It's been super humbling to to work with her in these past few days and the professionalism of Rachel is what's really stood out and her willingness to share her experiences with both players and staff."I think she's had a really positive impact on the group on her return to camp and all she's focused on is her role and what the team needs to do to play the way we want to."In Andreatta's first squad there is a first call up for Hibernian striker Kathleen McGovern, who has 25 goals for the Scottish Women's Premier League leaders, while Rangers captain Nicola Docherty and two club-mates - winger Brogan Hay and forward Kirsty Howat - have also been have failed to reach a major tournament since 2019. 'Austria call in attacking reinforcements' Analysis - BBC Scotland commentator Thomas DuncanAndreatta will hope to take some inspiration from her Austrian counterpart Alexander Schreibl, who took charge of his first game against Scotland in February and emerged with a narrow 1-0 win. These sides have been separated by a single goal the last two times they have met with one win apiece, an illustration of how closely fought Friday's game will be. Austria have found the going tough since that opening victory, though, losing 4-1 to Germany and 3-1 home and away to the took the lead in two of those three games though, and Schreibl has called in extra attacking reinforcements to try to make the difference against Scotland, who have struggled for goals for a long time now against sides who have similar or greater squad quality. Striker Nicole Billa, who has 47 goals in 106 caps, has been recalled and could start in a front two, which has been deployed behind a diamond midfield throughout the Nations League. Another forward, Eileen Campbell is also back from a hip Scotland needing a two-goal victory to give themselves a chance of staying in League A, Austria know if they use their firepower correctly it will make life very difficult for Andreatta's side. Scotland squad Goalkeepers: Eartha Cumings (Rosengard), Lee Gibson (Glasgow City), Sandy MacIver (Washington Spirit).Defenders: Jenna Clark (Liverpool), Rachel Corsie (unattached), Nicola Docherty (Rangers), Sophie Howard (Leicester City), Emma Lawton (Celtic), Rachel McLauchlan (Rangers), Amy Muir (Glasgow City), Kirsty Smith (unattached).Midfielders: Chelsea Cornet (Rangers), Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Lauren Davidson (Brann), Freya Gregory (Newcastle United), Brogan Hay (Rangers), Kirsty MacLean (Rangers), Amy Rodgers (Bristol City), Emma Watson (Manchester United), Caroline Weir (Real Madrid).Forwards: Kirsty Howat (Rangers), Mia McAulay (Rangers), Kathleen McGovern (Hibernian), Martha Thomas (Tottenham Hotspur).
BBC News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Could Aberdeen success mark mentality shift in Scottish football?
I wrote Aberdeen off at Hampden Park on Saturday. Everyone did. But this was history, the year of the when no-one else really did, the squad believed they would lift the Scottish Cup and that's the key to any success - to the Pittodrie players post-match, they had that confidence despite their previous, and even recent, results against Celtic, which were 5-1, 5-1, 1-0 and 6-0 in their last four was a statement win and it really feels like a historic day, not just for Aberdeen, but the rest of Scottish see a team outside the big two do this is an amazing Shaun Maloney's column in full here.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Could Aberdeen success mark mentality shift in Scottish football?
I wrote Aberdeen off at Hampden Park on Saturday. Everyone did. But this was history, the year of the underdog. Even when no-one else really did, the squad believed they would lift the Scottish Cup and that's the key to any success - belief. Listening to the Pittodrie players post-match, they had that confidence despite their previous, and even recent, results against Celtic, which were 5-1, 5-1, 1-0 and 6-0 in their last four meetings. This was a statement win and it really feels like a historic day, not just for Aberdeen, but the rest of Scottish football. To see a team outside the big two do this is an amazing moment. 'Aberdeen savour the most perfect game ever played' Shinnie 'could retire today and be a happy man' Aberdeen end 35-year Scottish Cup wait after stunning Celtic in shootout Aberdeen had two days really to nail their gameplan - a plan which was completely against their norm. What followed was an incredible performance with an excellent defensive display at the heart of it. That's a difficult thing to do, particularly against this Celtic side. I didn't expect them to limit Celtic to so few chances, but they did so comfortably. Other than Daizen Maeda's one-v-one in stoppage time, there wasn't anything really too worrying from an Aberdeen perspective. The belief that the players spoke about was probably built upon after that first half. Yes, Celtic had so much possession, but they weren't cutting through. The Dons were very good without the ball. Having such foundations in place meant that when the triple substitution of Oday Dabbagh, Dante Polvara and Shayden Morris was made, Aberdeen were able to go quite brave. Jimmy Thelin said post-match he felt his side became a bigger attacking threat as the game went on. That wasn't hard, though... Morris is a player I've admired for a long time from when he was down at Fleetwood Town. His speed is such a threat and Celtic got it wrong dealing with him in the build-up to the equaliser. It was a brilliant move from Thelin because they asked him to do a midfield role without the ball and then be a winger with the ball. The Swede did some something different and it paid dividends. It should catch the eye of the rest of Scottish football, too. Perhaps even down the road where the underdog story has been strong this season. I have a big history with Celtic, but I'm from Aberdeen and I could only watch those trophy-lifting scenes with joy. The Dons showed that with discipline and determination, Celtic can be stopped. And if they had belief before, they'll have even more belief now. Chairman Dave Cormack spoke post-match about the finances, the income that will come from this win and the confirmation of European group-stage football. That in itself is huge. It will give the club and the fans, in addition to the players, more belief. For now, though, it's bedlam. It's all about the partying and celebrating, which they deserve to do. They've created a slice of history here. And maybe it's just the start... FA Cup winner & former Scotland international Shaun Maloney was speaking to BBC Sport Scotland's Amy Canavan
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Three reasons to watch Women's Scottish Cup final live on BBC
Women's Scottish Cup final: Glasgow City v Rangers Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow Date: Sunday 25 May Kick-off: 14:00 BST Coverage: Watch live on BBC One Scotland and BBC Sport website & app Rangers and Glasgow City missed out on Scottish Women's Premier League glory as Hibernian surprised many with their first title in 18 years, but the city rivals have another chance to add to their trophy cabinet on Sunday. City, who pipped Rangers to the second Champions League spot as runners-up, will be hoping to win the Scottish Cup for the 10th time, while the Ibrox women, who won it for the first time last season, are hoping to make it a double after already lifting the League Cup. Here are three reasons to watch the Hampden showpiece live on BBC One Scotland, BBC Sport website and app. Scotland & Arsenal's low-key, high-grade superstar Glasgow City & Rangers seek cup cheer after title frustration The SWPL has had some amazing title showdowns in recent years, with goal difference separating the top two, last-minute heartache and joy and an end to City's monopoly on success. But it appears to me this season has been the best for overall drama and entertainment, with the re-emergence and ultimate fairytale triumph of Hibs, while city rivals Heart of Midlothian made further strides to ensure the top five were all taking points off each other. The race for the title was a three-way battle almost to the death and that drew in an audience not normally engaged with the women's game. Football fans can't help being drawn to a nail-biting climax. So for the two teams left disappointed in the contest for the title to be facing off in the end-of-season showpiece should ensure a riveting and fitting finale. City probably come into the game as slight favourites on the basis of recent form, but it would be foolhardy to try to confidently predict the outcome. After all, Rangers are going for back-to-back cup doubles and haven't lost a knock-out game since the Scottish Cup final defeat by Celtic in 2023. Only three points separated the sides in the SWPL in the end, so we should be in for a titanic tussle between two of the best sides in the country. Rangers overcame City just once all season – a 2-1 victory at Petershill in mid-April, coming from behind to do so. However, City put a real dent in Rangers' title hopes with an away victory in the most recent meeting at the end of last month, though it required a Brenna Lovera penalty to decide matters. The only comfortable win for either in the head-to-heads this season came back in December, when a Natalia Wrobel hat-trick went unanswered as Leanne Ross' City side came out on top. Such a margin of victory seems unlikely on Sunday, with a hard-fought and closely-matched encounter far more likely. Everyone wants to see goals, never more so than in a cup final, and these two have plenty to offer. City notched 107 on their way to clinching Champions League football once again, only outscored by – you've guessed it – who hit an incredible 139 and yet still didn't claim the title. Both teams have multiple threats in front of goal, but the deadliest of all is Rangers' Katie Wilkinson, who has an astonishing 46 in 39 appearances coming into Sunday's game. The former Southampton forward is ably aided and abetted by Rio Hardy (28 from 38) and Kirsty Howat (25 from 39). Eight of Howat's goals have come in the Scottish Cup, matched by the legendary goalscoring figure of Jane Ross, who would love to bow out of football by scoring at least one more Hampden goal to add to the recent hat-trick against Aberdeen in the semi-final. City's Nicole Kozlova also notched in the semi-final against Motherwell and six goals in her last six games have taken the Ukraine forward up to 23 for the season, closely followed by the afore-mentioned American striker Lovera, who has 20. Katie Lockwood (a losing finalist last year with Hearts) got two in the semi, while fellow midfielder Sofia Maatta got the opener - and both would move into double figures for the season if they were to grab another at Hampden. Aside from the headline-grabbing goal-getters, there are plenty of other players worth tuning in to see, not least fit-again Poland international Wrobel and her fellow City midfielder, the American Aleigh Gambone, named in the PFA's team of the year, as was Rangers' Scotland midfielder, Kirsty MacLean – a terrific talent at just 20 years old. If that's not enough to make you watch, nothing will. Get the latest Scottish women's football news on our dedicated page
BBC News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Three reasons to watch Women's Scottish Cup final live on BBC
Women's Scottish Cup final: Glasgow City v RangersVenue: Hampden Park, Glasgow Date: Sunday 25 May Kick-off: 14:00 BSTCoverage: Watch live on BBC One Scotland and BBC Sport website & app Rangers and Glasgow City missed out on Scottish Women's Premier League glory as Hibernian surprised many with their first title in 18 years, but the city rivals have another chance to add to their trophy cabinet on who pipped Rangers to the second Champions League spot as runners-up, will be hoping to win the Scottish Cup for the 10th time, while the Ibrox women, who won it for the first time last season, are hoping to make it a double after already lifting the League are three reasons to watch the Hampden showpiece live on BBC One Scotland, BBC Sport website and app. Finale to best season ever The SWPL has had some amazing title showdowns in recent years, with goal difference separating the top two, last-minute heartache and joy and an end to City's monopoly on it appears to me this season has been the best for overall drama and entertainment, with the re-emergence and ultimate fairytale triumph of Hibs, while city rivals Heart of Midlothian made further strides to ensure the top five were all taking points off each race for the title was a three-way battle almost to the death and that drew in an audience not normally engaged with the women's game. Football fans can't help being drawn to a nail-biting for the two teams left disappointed in the contest for the title to be facing off in the end-of-season showpiece should ensure a riveting and fitting finale. Too close to call City probably come into the game as slight favourites on the basis of recent form, but it would be foolhardy to try to confidently predict the all, Rangers are going for back-to-back cup doubles and haven't lost a knock-out game since the Scottish Cup final defeat by Celtic in three points separated the sides in the SWPL in the end, so we should be in for a titanic tussle between two of the best sides in the overcame City just once all season – a 2-1 victory at Petershill in mid-April, coming from behind to do City put a real dent in Rangers' title hopes with an away victory in the most recent meeting at the end of last month, though it required a Brenna Lovera penalty to decide only comfortable win for either in the head-to-heads this season came back in December, when a Natalia Wrobel hat-trick went unanswered as Leanne Ross' City side came out on a margin of victory seems unlikely on Sunday, with a hard-fought and closely-matched encounter far more likely. Top talents and goals aplenty Everyone wants to see goals, never more so than in a cup final, and these two have plenty to notched 107 on their way to clinching Champions League football once again, only outscored by – you've guessed it – who hit an incredible 139 and yet still didn't claim the teams have multiple threats in front of goal, but the deadliest of all is Rangers' Katie Wilkinson, who has an astonishing 46 in 39 appearances coming into Sunday's former Southampton forward is ably aided and abetted by Rio Hardy (28 from 38) and Kirsty Howat (25 from 39). Eight of Howat's goals have come in the Scottish Cup, matched by the legendary goalscoring figure of Jane Ross, who would love to bow out of football by scoring at least one more Hampden goal to add to the recent hat-trick against Aberdeen in the Nicole Kozlova also notched in the semi-final against Motherwell and six goals in her last six games have taken the Ukraine forward up to 23 for the season, closely followed by the afore-mentioned American striker Lovera, who has Lockwood (a losing finalist last year with Hearts) got two in the semi, while fellow midfielder Sofia Maatta got the opener - and both would move into double figures for the season if they were to grab another at from the headline-grabbing goal-getters, there are plenty of other players worth tuning in to see, not least fit-again Poland international Wrobel and her fellow City midfielder, the American Aleigh Gambone, named in the PFA's team of the year, as was Rangers' Scotland midfielder, Kirsty MacLean – a terrific talent at just 20 years that's not enough to make you watch, nothing will.
