Team of the Week – 16th August

Team of the Week from ScottishPower Women’s Premier League Sky Sports Cup games played on 16th August.

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Goalkeeper – Annalisa McCann (Dundee United)

Dundee United earned a dramatic 2-2 draw at home to Falkirk on the opening day of the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 season. The Bairns looked destined to pick up three points when they were awarded a penalty late in the game at 2-1 up, but McCann was the hero for United as she made a vital save. Alma Codegoni was able to get the all-important equaliser, but there’s no doubt it would have been game over if not for their ‘keeper. Next up for The Tangerines is a tricky away tie to Kilmarnock (15:00 KO).

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Defender – Robyn McCafferty (Spartans)

Spartans earned a draw on their return to the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League, taking a point from Partick Thistle who finished in the top-six last season. The Edinburgh side will be buoyed by this result, and their recent 2-0 win over Aberdeen in the Sky Sports Cup, as they look to at least survive in the top division. Unsurprising to anyone, captain McCafferty looks comfortable at this level as she helped minimise The Jags threat. She won the majority of her duels as well as making 12 interceptions and 16 recoveries. Spartans face two tricky away ties to Rangers and Glasgow City next, so this could be a really important point for survival and morale.

Defender – Rachel O’Neill (Queen’s Park)

After failing to win their last three matches in the Sky Sports Cup, many would have been forgiven for thinking that The Spiders might not be able to reproduce their excellent form from last season that saw them reaching the play-off final. However, against newly relegated Hamilton Accies, Queen’s Park prevailed 2-1 and it’s a result which shows just how competitive the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 is. Defender O’Neill is included after providing an assist as well as boasting solid stats including 86% passing accuracy, 12 interceptions, 16 recoveries, and winning the majority of her duels. Queen’s Park are away to Boroughmuir Thistle on Sunday (13:00 KO) hoping to build some early momentum.

Defender – Amy Denholm (Boroughmuir Thistle)

Boroughmuir Thistle got their ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 season off to the best possible start with an impressive 4-1 away win over Gartcairn. After finishing 3rd last season, the Edinburgh side will be hoping to go one better with promotion this season. Denholm is included, grabbing a goal for her side and helping to limit Gartcairn to one goal who had previously scored nine in their last four matches. Thistle host Queen’s Park on Sunday (13:00 KO), potentially a match early in the season that could shape the campaign for both teams.

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Midfielder – Hannah Jordan (Celtic)

Celtic got their 2026/27 season off to a great start with a win over likely title rivals Glasgow City. After finishing a disappointing fifth last season and 14 points behind winners Hearts, Grant Scott will be looking for his side to be in the race for the league trophy throughout this campaign. New signing Jordan could be an important part of that plan as she picked up the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League player of the match award for her performance in front of the BBC ALBA cameras. In a competitive game she had a 63% passing success rate, provided five crosses, and had a 50% dribbling success rate. Celtic have two home matches up next as they welcome Montrose and Hibernian to the Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex.

Midfielder – Bailey Collins (Rangers)

There was another player impressing on their SPWPL debut for their new side, as Rangers eventually overcame Montrose to win 4-1 at Links Park. Having joined from Motherwell, Collins got two goals for Rangers, opening the scoring and then restoring their lead with roughly 20 minutes left to play. She also had a further two shots in the match while boasting a 79% passing accuracy rate and providing five crosses. Rangers host newly promoted Spartans on Sunday (16:00 KO) as they look to make it two wins from two.

Midfielder – Emma Lawson (Falkirk)

Falkirk will be gutted not to have earned victory in their first ever ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 match, but a point could ultimately be vital in their bid to remain in the division. Lawson makes the team having scored with a looping half-volley from the edge of the box, restoring their lead just after half-time. She also had a further five shots (three on target), boasted a 67% dribbling success rate, and won 63% of her duels in a more attacking role. Falkirk have their first home game in the league this Sunday (15:00 KO) as they welcome St Johnstone to the Falkirk Stadium.

Midfielder – Elvie McLean (St Johnstone)

St Johnstone put any disappointment of failing to reach the next round of the Sky Sports Cup behind them, defeating Livingston 3-1 on the opening day of the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2. Having lost this match in the cup 3-2 back in July, The Saints turned it around to earn an early three points. McLean is included for providing an assist for their opener before a wonderful strike from distance that went in after clipping the crossbar to make it 2-1. St Johnstone will look to build on this victory with two games against sides they may expect to get points from as they face Falkirk and Dundee United next.

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Forward – Skye Stout (Kilmarnock)

Kilmarnock eventually saw off newly promoted Renfrew on Sunday, though needed to wait until the 67th minute for the floodgates to open. The sides were level at 1-1 until that point, before Killie scored four goals in the next 20 minutes. Stout is included again in this team as she grabbed herself a brace, as well as continuing to threaten the opponents defence throughout. Kilmarnock will be favourites at home on Sunday against Dundee United (15:00 KO) before a potentially tricky tie away to Boroughmuir Thistle.

Forward – Mariana Speckmaier (Heart of Midlothian)

Hearts’ bid to win back-to-back ScottishPower Women’s Premier League trophies got off to the best possible start with a comfortable 6-0 win over Aberdeen. Playing at their new ground, the Vanloq Community Stadium, The Jambos continued their title winning form as they brushed aside The Dons. New signing Speckmaier got two goals on her SPWPL debut, stealing the ball from goalkeeper before finishing from a tight angle and then heading home the final goal from a corner. She also had a further two shots on target, boasted a 72% passing accuracy, and won an impressive 83.5% of her total duels. Hearts are away to Motherwell on Sunday (16:00 KO) before a tricky early title test when they welcome Rangers on the 30th of August.

Forward & Star Player – Aoife Colvill (Hibernian)

Yet another debut performance making the team of the week, and four goals is certainly something special as Colvill goes top of the goalscorers chart. The former Glasgow City striker got her campaign off to a flyer at Hibs with a hat-trick after 71 minutes, before adding another goal just six minutes later, all from an xG of 1.89. She also boasted a solid 86% passing success rate, won 63% of her duels, and made five recoveries compared to just eight losses. Joelle Murray will hope Colvill can continue her fine form when they travel away to Partick Thistle on Sunday (13:00 KO).

[Photography: Arwen Moses]