Scottish Women's Football

BBC Scotland's Brian McLauchlin

Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa believes there have been improvements in medical services in recent years - but more has to be done to increase professionalism in women's football.

Spartans player Becky Galbraith waited more than 30 minutes to be carried off after being injured against Aberdeen on Sunday.

Her manager, Debbi McCulloch, called for an "urgent review" of medical provision at all SWPL matches.

"We should never be different from the men's game," said Martinez Losa.

"But at the moment there is a challenge and I have seen some improvements in that. From our side and from a Scotland perspective we need to have clear information about what are the standards in all the areas.

"I guess through the license or through the requirements within the league we should establish the minimum standard - not only looking at the minimum but what is best practise and what is best to protect the players."

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After defeat to league leaders Rangers on Sunday, reigning champions Glasgow City now find themselves 11 points off the pace in the SWPL, albeit with a game in hand over the Old Firm, who both sit above them.

On this week's Behind The Goals podcast, former Scotland international Leanne Crichton and current national team captain Rachel Corsie digest the weekend's action, and discuss whether Leanne Ross' side can claw their way back into the fight.

• Listen: SWPL round up - just how important is Rangers' win over Glasgow City?

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Aberdeen aim to have a full-time women's team within the next five years.

Celtic and Rangers have in recent seasons started to challenge Glasgow City's dominance after moving to full-time professional set-ups.

Scottish Women's Premier League rivals Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian are also working towards becoming full-time, while Aberdeen this season appointed their first full-time women's head coach - Clinton Lancaster.

Now the Scottish Premiership club say they are "undertaking a fresh, strategic review of the women's and girls' programme, which will culminate in a five-year plan with the goal of having a full-time professional women's team in place within that period".

Announcing a £1.1m net profit for the club as a whole in their annual accounts to July, they add: "Investment in the Aberdeen FC women's team has also increased, with more players now on professional contracts.

"This, along with the addition of loan players and the appointment of the club's first full-time women's head coach, is already having a positive impact on performances this season."

Aberdeen currently sit seventh in the SWPL having finished 10th last season.

Amy Canavan, BBC Sport Scotland at Excelsior Stadium

Glasgow City must be more "composed and ruthless" in front of goal, according to head coach Leanne Ross.

City exited the League Cup before the semi-final stage for the first time in over a decade as they were defeated by Celtic.

"I’m disappointed with the manner in which we lost the goals," the former City captain said.

"We were not clinical in the first half, we created loads of chances and if we take one or two of them then it could be a totally different story, so that is the most disappointing thing for me that we have created those chances and not taken them.

“We have lost that clinical edge, we need to get it back."

When asked why it is not clicking for the champions in front of goal she added: "If I knew that it wouldn’t be happening. It’s a lot about individual standards, it’s a wee bit of belief in some individual players and then quality. We need to focus on being composed and ruthless in the box and put those chances away."

However, Ross assured she has no concerns over her side's mentality.

“No I’m not worried about the mentality because they are still creating the chances, they need to go and put them away, end of story.”

Image source, SNS

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Amy Canavan, BBC Sport Scotland at Excelsior Stadium

Celtic are "no longer intimidated" by Glasgow City, according to manager Fran Alonso.

Their 3-0 win against City on Friday night was their fifth consecutive win against the league champions, and the manager believes there has been a mentality shift.

“It’s our fifth win in a row against them, which is never heard of," the Spaniard said. "I couldn’t be any prouder.

"When I first started with the group, we had this mental block because they were the 14-time champions, we never played well against them, we were intimidated and I think that is gone. I think we now approach the game like we are as good as they are.

“Today we imposed our game. I need to see the stats, but I thought we totally controlled the game and I’m delighted, it’s not easy against a top side. They won 14 out of 15 leagues, it’s incredible. I’ve never seen them be dominated, unless it’s in the Champions League against top sides. I’m absolutely delighted with the performance today.

“We faced an outstanding team, but we played them off the park, we were outstanding in every single aspect of them game offensively and defensively. I don’t recall many chances from them, which is incredible because they are an outstanding team. I couldn’t be any prouder of my players."

When asked if he enjoyed the win, he added: “I absolutely loved it. Every single minute of it. We started really well, switched on. Cup competitions are our competitions. In the three years we have been together, we have won three of them. We know it is very tough to knock us out of cup competitions because we absolutely love to bring trophies to the club."

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Amy Canavan, BBC Sport Scotland at the Excelsior Stadium

Celtic's 3-0 win against Glasgow City was "a confident victory," according to goalscorer Amy Gallacher.

The Scotland international scored the second for Fran Alonso's side as they booked their spot in the semi-finals of the Sky Sports Cup.

“It was big, especially after the defeat against Rangers," the 24 year old said. "It was big for us to win the game, a cup game where we obviously want to be in the semi-finals and win the cup so it was a massive win."

On her goal clsoe-range goal, she added: "I couldn’t miss really. It was a great ball in the box from Nats [Natalie Ross], so I couldn’t miss and I’m delighted to get the goal.

“I think it was a statement [win]. Three goals, we dominated most of the game which shows we are up there. We want to win the league, we want to win the cups, so I think it was a confident victory from us.

"From the start of the season we have believed that we could win things this season. We’ve been playing well, except from that Rangers game so we need to keep those performances up. "