The 2022-23 SWPL season was the biggest and best there has ever been – what will the new campaign bring when it starts this weekend?
After a number of record-breaking crowds and final-day drama, last season will be hard to beat, but SWPL managing director Fiona McIntyre believes it was just the “tip of the iceberg” and expects even more progress this term.
Although Aberdeen may not have partaken in the title excitement, their season wasn’t without drama.
A ninth-placed finish – and only securing their position in the league with two games to spare – was not where the Dons would have hoped to end up, but with Clint Lancaster now in the hot-seat on a full-time basis, a new (improved) era has to be on the horizon.
Who will Lancaster’s Dons face in what should be another entertaining season of Scottish women’s football?
First up is Motherwell at home on Sunday – and ahead of that game we have profiled all 11 of Aberdeen’s top-flight opponents, including their head-to-head record with the Reds over the last two SWPL seasons.
Celtic
There have been plenty of outgoings at Celtic following the conclusion of last season.
Key players such as Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, Claire O’Riordan and Pamela Tajonar, to name only a few, have moved on, which will have been a big blow for manager Fran Alonso.
However, there has been notable recruitment, including a loan spell for talented Spanish prospect Paula Partido, who has joined from Real Madrid.
After winning the Scottish Cup and being part of the three-horse title-race, you would expect Celtic to be competitive at the top end again this season, but it will be interesting following several departures.
Last season: 2nd
H2H against Aberdeen: W5, D0, L0
Player to watch: Celya Barclais
Dundee United
A second season in the SWPL awaits Dundee United after the Tangerines finished their debut campaign in 10th – two points clear of the relegation zone.
It was a solid introduction to the top-flight, with impressive wins against Motherwell and Spartans, while United striker Danni McGinley finished the season as the division’s third-top goalscorer with 17 goals.
However, there have also been notable departures from United over the summer – including McGinley, who has joined Hearts on a one-year deal.
Last season: 10th
H2H against Aberdeen: W1, D0, L3
Player to watch: Katie Frew
Glasgow City
With other teams investing, there have been questions whether long-time SWPL heavyweights Glasgow City could keep up, but by lifting their 16th title City proved why they cannot be written off.
Club legend Leanne Ross took over as manager midway through last term and will be raring to get a full season under her belt at Petershill Park.
Retaining their title will be a tough ask, but Ross has strengthened her squad with three American recruits, while also bringing Kenzie Weir – daughter of David Weir – on loan from FA WSL side Everton.
Last season: 1st
H2H against Aberdeen: W5, D0, L0
Player to watch: Kenzie Weir
Hamilton
It proved to be another challenging campaign for Hamilton last season as they finished 11th and contested the relegation play-off final with SWPL 2 outfit Gartcairn.
Accies suffered a scare in that game with Gartcairn leading 1-0 before goals in the 66th and 75th minute secured their place in the top-flight for this season.
There have been plenty of changes since then, with Robert Watson taking on the role as manager following Gary Doctor’s departure, while 13 players have left the club and 10 have joined.
Last season: 11th
H2H against Aberdeen: W2, D0, L5
Player to watch: Josi Giard
Hearts
Hearts enjoyed their best-ever season in the SWPL last term, and manager Eva Olid will be hoping to build on that and to move close to the three Glasgow sides.
Olid has got the Jambos performing on the pitch – no doubt benefitted by the continued investment from the club.
Their recruitment policy of bringing in players from down south is still in force, with former Tottenham Hotspur and current Wales defender Esther Morgan being one of the most notable additions to the SWPL for the upcoming season.
Manager Olid is building something special and has extended her stay at the club for another two years.
Last season: 4th
H2H against Aberdeen: W4, D0, L1
Player to watch: Esther Morgan
Hibernian
Like Aberdeen, Hibs will be starting the season with a new manager in the dugout, albeit a familiar face, as Grant Scott returned for his second stint at the club.
An improved finish in the SWPL will be Scott’s priority for the upcoming campaign after the Hibees fifth-place finish last term under Dean Gibson.
Scott has brought in some young talent to bolster his squad, including former Aberdeen winger Mya Christie, who signed for Hibernian on a two-year professional contract after leaving the Dons.
Last season: 5th
H2H against Aberdeen: W3, D1, L1
Player to watch: Mya Christie (former Aberdeen forward)
Montrose
This season will be Montrose’s first in the top-flight, after they won consecutive promotions from SWF Championship North and SWPL 2.
The Gable Endies boast experienced players in their squad, some of whom have turned out for the Dons in recent seasons, which will prove vital over their debut SWPL campaign.
A successful debut season for Montrose would be avoiding relegation and the relegation play-off.
Last season: 1st (promoted from SWPL 2)
H2H against Aberdeen: N/A
Player to watch: Louise Brown (former Aberdeen forward)
Motherwell
Motherwell will have felt aggrieved after missing out on a place in the top six, but still enjoyed a successful campaign following the league breakaway and reaching the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden.
They start their campaign in Aberdeen, and will come up north confident, having beat the Dons four times last term.
Paul Brownlie is another manager to recruit a former Red this summer, and Bailley Collins could be in line to make her competitive Well debut against her old side on Sunday.
Last season: 8th
H2H against Aberdeen: W6, D0, L1
Player to watch: Kaela McDonald-Nguah
Partick Thistle
It wouldn’t be unfair to say Partick Thistle exceeded expectations last term by breaking into the top six ahead of the inaugural league split, but following the breakaway Brian Graham’s side only managed to pick up one point.
The challenge will be whether the Jags can repeat that top-six feat again as it should be another competitive contest for those outwith the top three.
Last season: 6th
H2H against Aberdeen: W1, D1, L3
Player to watch: Cara Henderson
Rangers
Rangers made a real statement of intent bringing in Jo Potter as new manager, with the former England international taking over from Malky Thomson.
Despite winning the Sky Sports Cup last season, it was an underwhelming campaign for Rangers, so Potter’s priority will be to bring more silverware to the club.
Potter has done sensible business by securing some of the best talent already at the club on contract extensions, and has recruited wisely so far, bringing in players with vast amounts of experience across the women’s game.
However, like Celtic, there have been notable departures – including Sam Kerr, who earned a move to Bayern Munich.
Last season: 3rd
H2H against Aberdeen: W5, D0, L0
Player to watch: Rachel Rowe
Spartans
An SWPL staple are Spartans.
Debbie McCulloch’s side have consolidated their place in the top-flight, so would have been disappointed to have finished outside the top-six last season.
But they harnessed that disappointment and went on to win nine out of their 10 post-split fixtures, with the other game being a draw, and finished the campaign with an impressive 54 points.
Experienced players such as Becky Galbraith and Alana Marshall are vital for Spartans, while there is also plenty of young talent signed up at Ainslie Park.
Last season: 7th
H2H against Aberdeen: W4, D3, L0
Player to watch: Hannah Jordan
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