Team of the Season 2025/26

Goalkeeper – Lee Gibson (Glasgow City)

While there are a few names across the SWPL and SWPL 2 that could be in contention for this spot, it’s hard to argue against the Glasgow City ‘keeper. Shortlisted for both the PFA Scotland SWPL Player of the Year and the Scottish Football Writers’ Association SWPL Player of the Year, she has had another incredible season for City. Conceding just 13 goals from 24 matches in the SWPL, and just one goal in their Sky Sports Cup campaign, she has the second-highest number of goals prevented (6.03) across all SWPL goalkeepers and the joint highest per 90 minutes (0.24). With an already very full trophy cabinet, Gibson will be hoping to add more in 2026/27 after extending her contract.

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Defender – Robyn McCafferty (Spartans)

A number of Spartans defenders could have made this team, but captain McCafferty is included as she helped her side clinch the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 trophy on the final day of the season. She played the sixth-highest number of minutes of all SWPL 2 players this season, conceding just nine goals in the process. Defensively, she had the second-highest defensive duel success rate (84%) and the second-highest aerial duel success rate (72%) of all players in the league. She also played the highest number of passes (1,388), with a solid 78% accuracy rate, and provided the highest ball progression (5.8). As with most of their squad, McCafferty is a player who will be more than comfortable in the highest division next season and will hope to avoid any immediate return to SWPL 2.

Defender – Taylor McGlashan (Kilmarnock)

After a bitterly disappointing end to the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 season for Kilmarnock, losing the league title on the final day, a place in this team might offer little consolation. Ultimately, it’s well earned by McGlashan, who could be considered one of the signings of the season. She played 19 matches for Kilmarnock, conceding 22 goals throughout their campaign, the second-lowest in the league. McGlashan also boasted impressive individual stats, including an 80% defensive duel success rate and the highest number of recoveries per 90 in the whole division (15.53). Having gone so close this season, McGlashan and her teammates will look to bounce back and go all the way in 2026/27.

Defender – Danique Ypema (Heart of Midlothian)

Another new signing who made a huge impact for her side is Ypema, helping Hearts clinch their first-ever ScottishPower Women’s Premier League title. While defensively the Jambos weren’t the best in the league, conceding the fourth-lowest total, they delivered important results when it mattered most. Individually in the SWPL, Ypema had the fourth-highest aerial success rate (65%), blocked 13 shots and made 102 interceptions, while going forward she contributed the 11th-highest passing accuracy in the league (89%). Having been included three times in the SWPL Team of the Week, the defender also makes the final Team of the Season.

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Midfielder – Carly Johns (Heart of Midlothian)

Unsurprisingly, Hearts dominate the Team of the Season, as Johns is their second of three players included. The attacking midfielder, signed from Durham, excelled in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League this season, playing an additional 1,000 minutes compared to the previous season and featuring in the starting XI 26 times from 27 appearances. Johns rewarded Eva Olid for her faith, scoring 18 goals and providing seven assists, the joint third-highest for both categories in the SWPL. Luckily for Hearts, she’s contracted until 2027 as they hope she will continue to shine under new boss Andy Thomson.

Midfielder – Izzy Young (Spartans)

While McCafferty was keeping Spartans solid at the back, Young was playing her part going forward as the Edinburgh side made an immediate return to the top division. There’s no doubt that defence was a major part of their eventual promotion, but their ability to grind out wins was vital. Individually, Young recorded 14 goals and five assists in 25 matches — 19 goal contributions, which was the joint highest in SWPL 2. She also delivered the third-highest number of crosses (103), the second-highest number of one-on-one dribbles (175), the second-highest number of touches in the penalty area (129), and the third-highest number of key passes (19). The youngster, who turned 18 last month, will certainly be a player to watch in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League next season.

Midfielder – Rosie Livingstone (Hibernian)

Talking of young players to watch in the top division, this has been a breakout season for Livingstone at Hibernian. The winger has had an exceptional season for Hibs, scoring five goals and providing seven assists from 26 matches. On top of her goal contributions, she has been a huge threat to the opposition, providing 20 key passes and recording the highest number of crosses (127) and one-on-one dribbles (150), while also suffering the second-highest number of fouls in the league (40). An exciting winger who takes players on and delivers an end product, the Hibees will be delighted she’s under contract for at least another season.

Midfielder – Justine Strain (Livingston)

While it hasn’t been a season to shout about for Livi, finishing in the bottom four of the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2, they have been flawless since the split and will be optimistic about pushing on in 2026/27. They’ll also be hoping Strain can replicate her goalscoring form, as she finished top goalscorer in the league with 18 goals, along with two assists, from 21 matches. The attacking midfielder also provided nine key passes, and on average per 90 minutes she ranked 10th for crosses (3.02), eighth for touches in the penalty area (5.44), and sixth for dribbles (5.39). While not one the club might remember fondly, it will be remembered well by Strain.

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Forward – Katie Wilkinson (Rangers)

Perhaps the most obvious inclusion in the Team of the Season goes to Wilkinson, who earns her place on numerous merits: the highest number of Team of the Week inclusions (six), ScottishPower Women’s Premier League top goalscorer (30), and Scottish Football Writers’ Association SWPL Player of the Year. On top of those, in the SWPL she also recorded the highest number of touches in the penalty area (147), the highest number of key passes (24), the highest number of smart passes (16), and the third-highest number of fouls suffered (39). Leanne Crichton and Rangers fans will take great delight in the fact she signed a new two-year deal last month.

Forward – Lisa Forrest (Glasgow City)

Another Scottish Football Writers’ Association award winner makes the team, this time SWPL Young Player of the Year Lisa Forrest. The young forward has had a season to remember at City, not least for her two goals in the Sky Sports Cup Final, which helped her side lift the trophy against holders Rangers. The youngster also scored 12 goals in the league — the 10th highest — from the fewest minutes played out of the top ten. With more minutes under her belt and goals in big games, Leanne Ross will be hoping Forrest can play her part in securing even more silverware next season.

Forward – Georgia Timms (Heart of Midlothian)

The third and final Hearts player included in this team is, perhaps unsurprisingly, Timms — their top goalscorer and the second-highest scorer in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League. The English forward was nominated for both the PFA Scotland SWPL Player of the Year and the Scottish Football Writers’ Association SWPL Player of the Year and was perhaps unlucky not to win either award after playing such a vital role in the Jambos’ success. Timms scored 19 goals and provided four assists from 27 matches, with the fourth-highest number of shots across the division (95). Their star player is out of contract, but all Jambos will be desperate for her to return for at least the 2026/27 campaign as they look to retain the league title.