Latest news with #ScottishPowerWomen'sPremierLeague
Edinburgh Reporter
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Kathleen McGovern named ScottishPower Women's Premier League Player of the Month for May
Hibernian Women's striker Kathleen McGovern has been named the ScottishPower Women's Premier League Player of the Month for May. After winning the award for the first time in December 2024 and earning it once more in April, this is now McGovern's third Player of the Month award of the 2024/25 campaign. The 22-year-old has had an incredible season for the Hibs, with her 25 goals and two assists in the league crucial to the ScottishPower Women's Premier League title success. This excellent goalscoring form carried into the most important games of the season, as McGovern netted five times in four games during Hibs final run-in. An Edinburgh Derby brace at Oriam to defeat city rivals Hearts was promptly followed up by a vital finish against title challengers Glasgow City at Meadowbank Stadium. A second brace of the month for the number 10 was sealed in the final home match of the season, as Hibs sealed a pivotal 4-2 victory over Celtic leading into the final matchday. While not on the scoresheet against Rangers at Ibrox as the Hibs clinched the league title, McGovern was at hand to provide the all-important assist for Linzi Taylor's title-clinching strike. Six goal contributions across May 2025 – consisting of five goals and the most important assist of the entire campaign – has earned McGovern a first-ever Scotland 'A' Squad call-up. Including Abbie Ferguson and Eilidh Adams' respesctive award wins, Hibernian FC Women players have made up 50% of all winners of the SWPL Player of the Month prize this season after previously going two seasons without a single award. Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Grant Scott praises players and staff after Hibs claim SWPL title
Hibs head coach Grant Scott praised his players and staff after the team beat out Rangers to the ScottishPower Women's Premier League title on the final day of the 2024/25 campaign. Hibs needed to avoid defeat to lift the league trophy for the first time in 18 years. A win for Rangers would have sealed the title for the Glasgow club, but Linzi Taylor's fantastic goal late in the second half ensured the title was heading back to Leith. 'It just shows you money doesn't buy you everything, doesn't it?' Scott told HibsTV after the match. 'I think we're perfectly entitled to say that. 'There's a lot of teams spending a lot of money and we have to be sensible with what we do. Myself, Stewart and Joelle in the summer last, we've done some good work. 'I'm thrilled with the group. There's a real special quality in them. I can't quite put my finger on it. People say the togetherness and there's a desire, the hunger to do things well, to keep working. 'There were a lot of broken bodies out there but they've kept fighting right to the death. It's a special team.' Scott returned to the Club at the start of last season, overseeing a fifth-place finish in the league while planning a rebuild of his squad with his staff. Losing key assets in Hibs legend Joelle Murray, starting centre-back Leah Eddie and top scorer Jorian Baucom, the Head Coach moved quickly to improve his squad. Kathleen McGovern was signed to partner Eilidh Adams and Tegan Bowie up top; Ciara Grant, Kirsten Reilly, Linzi Taylor and Stacey Papadopoulos were brought in to bring experience; while Noa Schumacher and loanee Erin Clachers were swiftly introduced in goal. 'I think we felt last year we just missed that little bit of know-how, that little bit of guile in the critical moments. 'I think you've got winners in there. Kirsten's won the Scottish league and the Championship in England, which I know from experience is so hard to compete in. Ciara's won the league here. Linzi has been professional elsewhere before and played in other countries. 'To get these players of that calibre in the building, it's just helped ground the group a bit. Helped them provide a bit of know-how. Watch how they work. Those three in particular are very professional and thorough in everything they do. 'It's unfair probably to name player-by-player, but collectively as a group we've worked really hard, really well. We've competed with the best and the rewards are there. They deserve a huge amount of credit.' The unforgettable campaign also secured European football for the Club for the first time since the 2019/20 season – when the team, under Scott's stewardship during his first spell reached the Round of 32 stage. Entering at the Second Qualifying Round, in the Champions path, of the UEFA Women's Champions League, Scott is excited to return to trips abroad and tricky match-ups against the best teams in the continent. 'It'll be interesting, won't it? I've obviously had a taste of it before. 'I know how tough it can be. I've had a couple of real tough results and tough performances in Europe with this club. 'But we're in a better place now. You always want a favourable draw. If we can get a decent draw, there's no reason why not this group can't go and compete at any stage.' Hibs finished the league campaign on a Club record-high 77 points and Scott did not shy away from giving credit to everyone involved, both on and off the pitch. 'You know how I am. It's not about me. There's a lot of staff involved behind the scenes. 'We work so tirelessly. The energy and hours that we put into managing the group, preparing them, trying to mend them when we have to. There's so much that goes into it. 'I'm immensely proud to lead the group, lead the players. They listen to me every day. Some are ramblings and I'm sure some of them roll their eyes at times. 'But we've done it together. I'm immensely proud. I think it's a brilliant position for this club to have come from and now be in. 'We're all competitors. We want more. I hope they rest up and go again in the summer.' Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Hibernian defender Ellis Notley signs two-year contract extension
Ellis Notley has signed a two-year contract extension with Hibernian Women. With the 26-year-old's deal originally set to expire at the end of this season, Notley has penned a new deal that will run until Summer 2027. She joined the Club aged 13 before rapidly rising through the youth ranks to make her First Team debut in 2016, going on to become a key player in the senior squad – making 227 Hibs appearances to date. Ellis Notley The versatile defender has been a part of five cup-winning squads, lifting three Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups as a Hibernian player. In the 2018 SWPL Cup Final, she scored the opening goal, paving the way for Hibernian's emphatic 9-0 rout over Celtic at the Falkirk Stadium. Appointed Hibs Women Vice-Captain at the start of the 2024/25 season, Notley has played a key role in the team's charge for the ScottishPower Women's Premier League title and securing a place in March's Sky Sports Cup Final. After signing the new deal, she told HibsTV: 'I'm obviously delighted. I've been at the club a long time and it's been a great season so far. 'I'm happy that I've extended my contract and that I'm staying here.' Hibs Women Head Coach Grant Scott commented: 'Ellis is a great servant to the club, a consistent performer, and someone who leads by example every single day. 'Her character and leadership make her a vital part of this squad, and we're delighted to have her commit her future to Hibs.' Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
'Excitement and pride' amongst Hibs players ahead of crucial matches
Hibs Women head coach Grant Scott says there is 'excitement' and 'pride' within the group heading into a crucial final week of the league season. Hibs currently top the ScottishPower Women's Premier League with three matches to go – the first of which comes against second-place Glasgow City at Meadowbank on Sunday afternoon. Speaking to the media ahead of the huge fixture, Scott states there is no place he and his team would rather be as the season comes down to an enthralling finish. 'It's a busy time, tough time, lots of challenges ahead. But, given the choice, we would want to be here, if we could choose. I'm delighted and looking forward to it. 'I've said it a few times now and it's probably getting boring for you guys,' Scott added. 'But there's just something about the group of players just now. 'We've been on a fantastic run, which Hearts ended a number of weeks ago, but we've picked ourselves back up and we've went again. It just tells you something about the group. 'I think there's as good teams in the league, I think there's as good players, but we've got an in our something about us and it's one of those uncoachables, you're not always sure where it's coming from. 'The group have done well, they've gelled together this season, they seem to be on the same page a lot of the time and that's served us well.' Asked on injury news, Scott gave a further update on goalkeeper Erin Clachers. The loanee has returned to Glasgow City for treatment after being injured versus Celtic last month. 'Erin has got a little ruptured tendon around the hip area. She's had surgery this week. 'But I think Noa Schumacher, who came in this year, has done really, really well in her first full-time role. 'We've got good cover. Rowena Armitage will be called back from loan to give us the cover on the bench as well.' As an incredible, progressive campaign nears its conclusion, there is a buzz around staff and supporters as to what the next week may bring. On this, Scott spoke honestly of his side's inevitable excitement ahead of the final three fixtures versus City, Celtic and Rangers. 'There's no secrets. I think there's a lot of excitement and a lot of pride in where we are. And then there's a little bit of nervous energy. 'You see the players getting a little bit excitable. There's a bit of nerves there, the competitive nature of it. So, all of those things, which is understandable at this point. 'But we're in our last full week of training and there's a real edge to it, which is really, really good to see. I don't think we've seen that competitive edge in a Hibs squad probably for a few years now, so it's good to see.' Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Hibs boss ‘humbled' to win PFA Scotland SWPL Manager of the Year award
Hibs Women Head Coach Grant Scott says he is very 'humbled' and 'priviliged' to have won the PFA Scotland SWPL Manager of the Year award. The 51-year-old collected the award on Sunday (4 May 2025 ) evening in Glasgow as he was voted the best manager in Scottish Women's football during the 2024/25 campaign by his peers. Scott had overseen a remarkable season to date in his second season back in charge, improving upon last season's fifth-place finish with a title charge and Sky Sports Cup Final appearance. The team have lost just one of their last 21 league matches, pushing them three points clear at the top of the ScottishPower Women's Premier League with three matches remaining. Speaking to PFA Scotland, Scott spoke of his delight and thankfulness after picking up the award just hours after leading his side to a memorable Derby Day victory over Hearts at Oriam. 'It feels fantastic. And it's very humbling at the same time. 'It's a privilege to be in the role that I do and have the support around me that I do at home. 'It's like any of those kind of votes,' Scott added. 'You put your wits against each other week-to-week, season-to-season. 'For them to recognise that we have done a good job, because it's not all about me, it's about the whole function that goes on behind the team. I'm delighted to get that recognition from my peers. It's very humbling.' With games against second-place Glasgow City, fourth-place Celtic and third-place Rangers still to come, Scott is well aware the season is far from over but insists any silverware achieved would be a massive achievement for the Club. 'The league [title] is the standard for who have been the best across a sustained period. We have not done it yet. There's a lot of work left to do, as strange as that is with just three games to go. 'There is very difficult opponents for us left to play, but we will continue to push. 'If, and it is a massive if because of the competition out there, we manage to be successful, it would be absolutely huge in this new era of Scottish Women's football where the teams are properly professional with top-calibre managers and players arriving in the league. It would be a huge thing for Hibernian.' Like this: Like Related
