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The National
6 days ago
- Sport
- The National
SWPL upheaval gives Hibs chance to do what other champions couldn't
Fewer still would expect them to go and successfully defend it. Which will all be fuel for Grant Scott's pre-season team talk, of course. No-one has successfully claimed back-to-back titles across recent seasons. Malky Thomson delivered a title to Rangers four years ago before Glasgow City nicked it back off them the following year. Then it was Celtic's turn and now Hibs. It does, of course, point to genuine competition within the top flight but would also indicate a different kind of pressure when it comes to winning a league and then playing with a target on your back. None of which will be news to the vastly experienced Scott or Joelle Murray in at Hibs. They have tweaked and added to their squad and will be tested to the max from the off this term as they juggle the duel demands of Champions League football and domestic action. It was a weight that proved utterly debilitating to Celtic last term as they competed on a duel front. But the most significant aspect this summer has been the languid manner in which the likes of Celtic and Rangers have gone about the business of building a team capable of challenging for the title. There is yet to be a replacement introduced for Jo Potter – and with the new season just 22 days away that looks increasingly concerning. Add to the mix that Rangers, who have lost out on a domestic treble twice with final day heartbreaks – have also lost a clutch of established first-team players this summer and the work of any new manager walking into the building is obvious. Rio Hardy is set for a switch to Bristol City which will take the exit tally to six. On the other side of the city, Celtic have added former Claire Walsh this week to a squad that has lost ten first-team players since the end of the season. Elena Sadiku was in Switzerland on commentary duties so missed the start of pre-season. But such were the paucity of numbers as the club regrouped earlier this month that even organising bounce games proved to be problematic. The club were also slow to open up season ticket renewals for the women's team. [[Celtic]] finished fourth last season and failed to collect any silverware. There was a mid-season flit from home games in Airdrie to a poorer surface in Hamilton, with the Lanarkshire base now hosting [[Celtic]] and newly promoted Accies in the top flight this term. Season tickets, an exceptionally tough sell in the women's game, have been 'frozen' at £130 for an adult and £20 for a child. But with the league restructure this season meaning a 10-team top flight, this actually amounts to the same price for fewer games. Last season, too, an early bird offer also reduced the cost. Prices are cheap as chips compared to tickets for the men's team but fans have been increasingly disillusioned at the direction of travel this summer. If anyone needed any indication of women's teams being there for the optics, the past few months would be a significant endorsement of such a view. Which ought to all play into the hands of Glasgow City. They continue to bang the drum for the philosophy that underpinned their existence and, as a stand alone club who have no affiliation to anyone else, can ensure the focus of the club is funnelled entirely onto the pitch. They have had a few departures of their own to contend with. The latest was the impressive Sam van Diemen who will swap Petershill for Rome this season as she heads to Roma after an undisclosed fee was agreed between the teams on Friday. AND ANOTHER THING For someone who hates women's football, Joey Barton fair manages to watch plenty of it. England's women take on Spain tomorrow night in the Euros final as Sarina Wiegman's side look to defend their status as European champions. If it's not for you – as Barton has been fairly clear on – there is no law to say you must watch it. Barton, who needs to find £200k to clear his liable costs to Jeremy Vine, hosted a live watch-a-long of the semi-final this week in order to mock what was in front of him. Joey Barton is 42-years-old. If England are successful tomorrow night, they will be the first English senior national side to defend a major trophy. The game is their third consecutive final, after they also reached the FIFA Women's 2023 World Cup final against Spain. Whatever Barton's ilk may have to say on the matter, they are clearly doing something right. AND FINALLY Hamilton Accies' experiment at a recent friendly to open the gates and request a donation for attendance is an interesting way to look at generating funds. Getting bums on seats has been a challenge across the SWPL – and the Scottish national team. Giving tickets away free is regarded as devaluing the game but there is a desperate need to drum up a way to get people through the door. Feedback from Accies was that they felt there had been a reasonable return but it is a matter that clubs are constantly having to weigh up as they look to strike the balance between encouraging supporters and building a base while also making money.
Scottish Sun
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Former Celtic hero's daughter finds new club as she's snapped up by Scottish champions
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SWPL champions Hibs Women have snapped up Scotland Under-23 star Tiree Burchill. The 20-year-old, daughter of former Celtic star Mark, makes the move to the Hibees on one-year deal following her previous spell at Partick Thistle under the management of now-Falkirk striker Brian Graham. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 2 Tiree Burchill in action during her time at Celtic Credit: Rex 2 Hibs head coach Grant Scott Credit: Getty Burchill, who netted nine times for Thistle last season, already has a league winners' medal to her name, from her time at Celtic during the 2023/24 season. Coach Grant Scott, who leads his team into the Champions League this season, believes his new recruit can add goals in the upcoming season. He said: 'Tiree is another player similar in age profile to many of our attacking players. She is an exciting forward we have tracked for a couple of seasons and I think our environment will really help towards her development.' Burchill Snr won six caps for his country, gracing the likes of Celtic, Hearts, Dunfermline, Kilmarnock and Livingston in the Scottish game as well as taking English clubs like Portsmouth. He had a stint at Livingston boss and now operates in a high-powered scouting role with none other than Liverpool. Burchill also has previous with Hibs, having spent four years in the Edinburgh club's youth academy previously. She said: 'It feels great to be here. I'm so delighted to be back where I almost started my journey. I can't wait to get going. 'I think it's a great place for young players like myself to develop. Seeing the team's success last season, it was a no-brainer to come here.' Burchill becomes the current SWPL champions' third new addition during this summer window having already signed both Caley Gibb and Hannah Jordan from Spartans. Kuhn, Lagerbielke & Nawrocki kickstart Hoops summer clear out She has previously played for the likes of Motherwell and Celtic Women whilst recently gaining call-ups for Scotland at under-17, under-19, and under-23 level. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hibs sign 'exciting' Burchill - plus more SWPL transfer news
Champions Hibernian have signed Tiree Burchill after her exit from fellow SWPL side Partick Under-23 international Burchill, a league winner with Celtic, scored nine goals for Thistle last season, including the goal of the year, and "can't wait" to return to full-time football."I'm so happy to be back in full-time football," the 20-year-old said. "I spent about four years here when I was younger in the academy."I think it's a great place for young players like myself to develop. Seeing the team's success last season, it was a no-brainer to come here."Head coach Grant Scott said the club's "environment" will benefit the youngster."She is an exciting forward we have tracked for a couple of seasons," he said. "I think our environment will really help towards her development."Across the city, Hearts have signed goalkeeper Carolina Vilao on a two-year deal from A-League side Wellington 24-year-old is Eva Olid's third signing of the season and the manager is adamant she will bring "a different dimension"."Carolina is a goalkeeper with a really unique profile, and that's exactly what we were looking for," said Olid."She's calm, confident with the ball at her feet, brings a different dimension to how we want to play and we feel she's a great fit for the team and the direction we're going in."Forward Kodie Hay has returned to Motherwell following the expiry of her contract at Partick 27-year-old spent three seasons with Well before making 72 appearances for coach Paul Brownlie says she will add "creativity" to the squad.
BBC News
02-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Scotland youth international Jordan swaps Spartans for champions Hibs
Hibernian is "the perfect place to thrive" says Hannah Jordan, as the Scotland youth international joins the SWPL champions on a one-year Jordan, 20, has been a bright spark for Spartans since her breakthrough campaign three seasons ago, and netted 13 league goals last term for the relegated side - the most from any individual outside the top five coach Grant Scott said he is delighted to sign "one of Scotland's top young talents"."To have another one of Scotland's top young talents decide to join Hibs to further their development is fantastic," he told club media."After a decent goal scoring season in a team that had a tough campaign last season, we think she can kick-on and add to our attacking options."Jordan, a recent Scotland under-23 cap, said Scott "sold" the move across the city to her."I am looking to make the next step in my career and I think this is the perfect place for me to thrive in a full-time environment," she added."Grant sold the move to me well. Seeing what the team did last season, winning the league, this is something that I wanted to be a part of."
Edinburgh Reporter
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Hibs Women announce the permanent signing of Caley Gibb
Hibs Women have announced the permanent signing of Caley Gibb following her successful loan spell at the Club last season. The 21-year-old versatile defender joins Hibernian Women on a one-year deal, becoming Grant Scott's first signing ahead of the 2025/26 season. A product of Hibs youth academy, Gibb made her senior debut for Hibs Women aged just 15 in May 2019. She would move on to Spartans that summer, where she spent five seasons before departing for Partick Thistle in August 2024. Gibb would make her return to Hibs Women in February 2025 on a short-term loan deal, bolstering the squad ahead of our ScottishPower Women's Premier League run-in. She made 10 appearances during the spell – starting the final four matches of the campaign – and played a key role in Hibs historic title triumph. On Gibb's arrival, Hibs Women head coach Grant Scott said: 'We are delighted to secure Caley's signature after last season's successful loan spell. She really stepped up after arriving and put in top performances post-split to help us win the league. 'Caley is also a young, exciting prospect that we are pleased to bring back to the Club on a full-time basis, and I am very much looking forward to seeing her develop further here.' Following her return, Gibb said: 'It feels amazing to be here. To be here playing full-time is something that I've always wanted to do. I'm delighted. 'These past few months have been incredible. It's something that I've dreamed of since I was a wee girl. I'm definitely still living the dream and I'm looking forward to representing the club again.' Like this: Like Related
