SWPL momentum with Celtic after Scottish Cup win?

Ollie left Hearts hinting that, despite winning the league title for the first time in their history, he would not be given the financial support he was offered next season.

There is a sense that the domestic women’s game has lost some momentum in terms of public excitement and support from their parent clubs when Celtic became the first full-time professionals in 2019 and were soon followed by Rangers, Hibs and Hearts.

However, former Partick Thistle manager Brian Graham suggested: “Over the last five or six years, the standard of the women’s game in Scotland has definitely been getting better – and it’s only going in one direction.

“I’d like to see it get a little more backing and support at times. We’d like to see more fans here today.”

As for the heroes at Hampden, Graham thought Celtic deserved their victory because of the way they defended after their goal – and because Rangers couldn’t make the most of their one-man advantage.

“They lost the League Cup to Glasgow City, they lost the League on the last day, now they lost the Scottish Cup on the last day of the season.” He was out.

“So he (Crichton) will be bitterly disappointed because, on the part, he had a good first season but couldn’t get over that final hurdle for silverware.

“However, Leanne has done an incredible job since coming in from Motherwell as assistant.”

Graham agrees with Scott – that Celtic have the momentum going into the new season.

“Believe me, there will be a bit of self-doubt among these Celtic players this afternoon that they haven’t beaten Rangers in 10 games.”

“They know it’s not the season they wanted, but to win here, it will give them confidence going into next season.

“Congratulations to him (Scott) on getting his first piece of silverware in such a short time.

“He knows he’s going to have a big summer. His salarymen will go out, he’ll have players coming in. It’s a rebuilding situation at Celtic now.

“That’s where he can really put his stamp on next season. You can really judge him next season.

“With Heart winning the league and their manager leaving, there’s going to be a big uptick there too.

“They will want to include players, but they have a strong nucleus of a squad, although you never know, some of those players may get a move and the manager may come in.”

Former Rangers midfielder Claire Gemmell noted that it was “unprecedented” that there had been five different winners in the past five seasons in the SWPL.

Will Celtic build on their Hampden win as they aim for a second title and first since 2024?