Team of the Week – 21st May

Team of the Week from ScottishPower Women’s Premier League games played on 14th and 18th May.

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Goalkeeper – Noa Schumacher (Hibernian)

In perhaps the biggest game of her career, Schumacher played her role as Hibs went on to secure the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League on Sunday. While it wasn’t her busiest match of the season, facing more shots on target midweek in their 4-2 win over Celtic, she made a vital save to deny Mia McAulay with the score at 0-0 and left her line six times, the highest number of all goalkeepers on the final day of the season. A clean sheet was all Hibs needed on Sunday, and Schumacher helped produce it.

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Defender – Linzi Taylor (Hibernian)

Alongside her ‘keeper, Taylor also ensured the title never left Hibs’ grasp. The summer signing from Partick Thistle was a rock at the back alongside her colleagues against Rangers, winning 65% of her duels and boasting a 79% passing accuracy. To put the icing on the cake, she scored what was the winning goal at Ibrox as she advanced forward to finish off a Kathleen McGovern cross. It has been a phenomenal debut season for Taylor at Hibernian.

Defender – Fiona Gibson (Boroughmuir Thistle)

Boroughmuir Thistle ended their season in dramatic fashion, turning round a 2-1 deficit after 90 minutes to eventually win 3-2. It’s a result that didn’t change the table but means Thistle finish three points behind Kilmarnock. Gibson is included for her goal and work across the pitch with the majority of her passes, long passes, duels, and aerial duels won successfully throughout their 3-2 win over Gartcairn.

Defender – Lucy Ashworth-Clifford (Celtic)

After winning the league title last season and qualifying for the group stage of the Champions League, it hasn’t been the league season that Celtic would have hoped for in 2024/25. However, they did end the season in the top four, rounding off the campaign with a comfortable 6-0 win over Motherwell on the final day. Ashworth-Clifford was central to most of the goals, scoring and assisting twice for her side on Sunday for a total of four goal contributions.

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Midfielder & Star Player – Sophie Townsley (Hamilton Accies)

It was all party at New Douglas Park on Sunday, with Hamilton Accies already having secured the title and their promotion to the top flight. Robert Watson’s side still went about their business professionally, winning 5-1 against Rossvale, who will enter the relegation play-off. Both Townsley and Giard got a brace, but Townsley edges it into the team for the final time this season while her teammate claims the golden boot.

Midfielder – Hannah Robinson (Partick Thistle)

The Jags ended Brian Graham’s tenure on a high with a 2-1 win over Spartans, relegating their opponents in the process. Robinson might be getting some thanks from Montrose, as her goal and assist at Ainslie Park helped the Mighty Mo to escape the drop. In particular, her stunning half-volley showed great technique and could well be included in the Goal of the Month for May.

Midfielder – Louise Brown (Montrose)

Montrose’s escape from relegation has been remarkable, having looked somewhat destined to finish 10th for the majority of the season. Since the split though, they’ve only lost once, and it helped ensure their safety on the final day of the season. Brown earns her place, providing the assist for the opening goal and scoring the final one in their 4-0 win over Dundee United at Links Park.

Midfielder – Lucie Burns (Kilmarnock)

It’s another inclusion in the team for Lucie Burns, who has been a star for Kilmarnock this season. The winger got a goal and an assist against their Ayrshire rivals on Sunday as they finished runners-up in ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2. She was successful with 64% of her dribbles, as well as having three further shots in the match. The key question for Killie next season will be if they can hold on to the 17-year-old.

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Forward – Jodie Malcolm (St Johnstone)

St Johnstone ended their season on a high with a 2-1 win over Livingston, meaning they finish just four points behind the West Lothian side. The Perth outfit started the season poorly but had a much stronger second half of the season, which will give them confidence for 2025/26. Forward Malcolm is included as she unselfishly provided both assists in their victory.

Forward – Darcie Miller (Aberdeen)

Results elsewhere denied the Dons finishing top of the bottom six sides, but Aberdeen finished the season with a comfortable 3-0 win away to Queen’s Park. Miller was a constant threat against the Spiders, scoring her first goal in the league this season and providing an assist. The forward had five shots on target in the match as well as a dribbling success rate of 100%.

Forward – Nikol Kozlova (Glasgow City)

Glasgow City earned a spot in the Champions League next season after a 2-1 win over Motherwell midweek and a 2-0 win over Heart of Midlothian on Sunday. City leapfrogged Rangers on the final day after their 1-0 loss to Hibernian. Leanne Ross will have a lot of thanks for their Ukrainian forward, who scored five goals in their last four matches, including a goal in each of their final two matches. Kozlova was a threat with 10 shots and helped build up play from the front with over 70% of passes successful.