Team of the Week – 24th December

Team of the Week from ScottishPower Women’s Premier League games played on 21st December.

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Goalkeeper – Lee Gibson (Glasgow City)

City moved seven points clear at the top of the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League after a 1-0 win over Hearts. Gibson nearly cost her side a goal in the opening minutes with a slack pass, but recovered well to make the save. She was brave throughout the match, more than earning her clean sheet and allowing Nicola Kozlova to get the only goal at the other end of the pitch. Leanne Ross’ side maintain their unbeaten domestic start to 2025/26 and will return to league action against Partick Thistle on Sunday 18th January.

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Defender – Laura Rafferty (Rangers)

Rangers moved up to second in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League on goal difference thanks to a 3-0 away win against Aberdeen. Rafferty put in a outstanding performance at the back, helping her side to a clean sheet as well as being involved in a rather remarkable 151 total actions, with 91% successful. This included 96% passing accuracy, 78% duels won, and 13 recoveries compared to just nine loses. Rafferty and her teammates will now look to catch Glasgow City, who remain seven points ahead.

Defender – Demi Taylor (Montrose)

The Mighty Mo go into the Christmas break in the top-six of the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League, but may be disappointed to have only picked up a point against Hamilton Accies. The New Douglas Park side were without a point this season, until Sunday. It wasn’t without trying though, 12 shots in total but they couldn’t take their chances. On the left, Taylor was a threat with dangerous crosses and runs. Montrose remain four points ahead of the sides below them after 14 games.

Defender – Robyn McCafferty (Spartans)

Spartans fell further behind in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 title race, now 12 points behind Kilmarnock and two behind Boroughmuir Thistle. It was a tricky match for the Edinburgh side, and they’ll be happy to take a point away from Queen’s Park, with McCafferty to thank. Their experienced defender got the assist for their only goal while also being involved in 104 total actions. She boasted a 78% passing accuracy, won 93% of all her duels, and made five interceptions.

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Midfielder – Jo Love (Partick Thistle)

The Jags continued their improved form under Gary Holt, getting their second consecutive win against a bottom five side as they were 2-1 winners over Motherwell. Love played the full match in the middle of the park, eventually scoring the winner for her side. She was involved throughout with 72% passing accuracy, 60% duels won, four interceptions, and making 15 recoveries compared to just nine losses. Thistle are now four points behind Montrose and four clear of the relegation play-off spot.

Midfielder – Arwen O’Brien (Kilmarnock)

Kilmarnock continued their unbeaten start to the 2025/26 ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 season, remaining 10 points clear at Christmas. Jim Chapman will be delighted with their campaign so far, and pleased with six different goalscorers in their 6-0 win over East Fife. O’Brien earns her place after a solid midfield performance, scoring from an xG of just 0.21, and boasting an 83% passing accuracy rate. Killie return to league action on Sunday 18th January when they host bottom side Stirling University.

Midfielder – Lucy Barclay (Hamilton Academical)

Hamilton Accies earned their first point of the 2025/26 season, cutting the gap to Aberdeen down to six points. While they didn’t have as many shots as Montrose, they had two-thirds of the possession and were unlucky not to find the net again. Barclay was the player that threatened the most, hitting the crossbar with an early header and eventually finding the crucial goal with a lovely volley. Robert Watson will hope this can kickstart their season, with an important match at home to Aberdeen on their return on Sunday 18th January.

Midfielder – Maria McAneny (Celtic)

Celtic defeated Hibernian on Sunday, Grant Scott’s last game in charge of the Edinburgh side before moving West. One player he’ll know the importance of, it’s McAneny, as she continues her outstanding form this season. This round it was her stunning goal from kick-off, the quickest in SWPL history, as well as winning the penalty for Saoirse Noonan to eventually finish. Celtic remain fourth in the table, but now level on points with both Rangers and Hearts.

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Forward & Star Player – Morgan Anderson (Gartcairn)

Gartcairn took a big step towards their top-six spot in ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2, now nine points clear of St Johnstone and Livingston. It was resounding return to winning ways, a 6-1 victory at home to East Fife. Anderson and Georgie Robb both could have been included, but Anderson edges it after being involved in 88 actions with two goals and one assist. She had a further three shots, 70% passing accuracy, and 100% dribbling success.

Forward – Danni Findlay (Dundee United)

It’s back-to-back inclusions for Findlay in the team of the week as United are now unbeaten since September. The forward has four goals in her last two games, showing her quality as one of the top and most formidable strikers at this level. Their 4-0 win against Stirling University moved them up into the play-off zone, just two points behind second placed Boroughmuir Thistle.

Forward – Emily Reid (Boroughmuir Thistle)

On that note, Thistle moved two points clear of Spartans and remain 10 points behind Kilmarnock in the race for the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 title. Forward Reid is included after winning the penalty for their second goal and scoring their third in their 4-0 away win over St Johnstone. Boroughmuir Thistle will return to league action on Sunday 18th January when they host Gartcairn.