What to watch out for as SWPL returns

Watch: Celtic v Dundee United, Saturday 13:00 BST on BBC Sport website; Aberdeen v Rangers, Sunday 16:10 on BBC Alba and BBC Sport website

It might feel like just yesterday when Amy Gallacher’s stoppage-time winner at Celtic Park clinched her side’s first-ever league title, but the Scottish Women’s Premier League is back again.

Even more drama is guaranteed at the top and bottom of the table in what is a transition season for the league.

Let’s take a look at what is at stake.

The top half of the table is looking particularly intriguing this season.

After Celtic’s historic league title win, head coach Elena Sadiku will be eyeing more domestic success, particularly after Glasgow rivals Rangers bagged the other two trophies on offer.

But the champions have lost some of their firepower this summer.

Natasha Flint, who spent the second half of the season on loan from Liverpool, helped secure the title on goal difference by scoring 11 goals in 13 games but has since joined Tampa Bay Sun.

Celtic still have the likes of Scotland striker Gallacher, who scored the goal that won the title, and Caitlin Hayes, the Republic of Ireland centre-back who is known for popping up with a late goal when it matters.

However, Sadiku has had a busy transfer window, adding six players to her squad, including midfielder Shannon McGregor from Hibernian and Republic of Ireland forward Saoirse Noonan from Durham.

Rangers forward Jane Ross pointed out that, despite clinching a domestic double – lifting the league and Scottish cups, her side will be fuelled by losing the league on the final day for a second season running.

“I think when you play for a club like Rangers there’s expectation there to go and win trophies,” the veteran Scotland international said.

“We’re obviously happy we managed to win both cups last season and it was disappointing the way that we lost the league, but it’s going to be motivation for the year ahead.”

Rangers have lost a couple of out-of-contract players, but perhaps the biggest blow to Jo Potter’s side comes from the loss of Welsh winger and PFA player of the year Rachel Rowe to Southampton.

Like their rivals across the city, Rangers have been busy compensating with some new additions of their own, including Scotland midfielder Leah Eddie from Hibs and forward Katie Wilkinson and defender Laura Rafferty, both from English Championship club Southampton.

Perhaps the most fascinating team to keep an eye on are Glasgow City.

After last season’s disappointment of losing the title to Celtic but also missing out on Champions League money, the 16-times champions are desperate to bounce back.

Scotland winger Lisa Evans has returned to City from Bristol City, as well as former head coach Scott Booth – a man who knows all about winning trophies having won six titles and two Scottish cups during his time in charge.

This time round, he will be assistant to current boss Leanne Ross.

“I think Glasgow City has been at the forefront of women’s football in this country for such a long time,” Evans said. “They’ve always been the team to set the records and be the pioneers.

“I think that’s something we need to bring back to the club and that is by winning titles.”

Heart of Midlothian are, meanwhile, lurking in the background. They have massively strengthened by poaching the SWPL top scorer, Bayley Hutchison, as well as midfielder Eilidh Shore and defender Jess Broadrick – from Aberdeen.

The transfer business of a team who want to break into the top three.

It will be a nervy season for the sides in the bottom half to the table as the SWPL prepares for a restructure.

From next season, in an effort to make the league more competitive, the top flight will consist of just 10 teams (as opposed to the current 12) and the second tier will be contested by 10 teams instead of the current eight.

Three teams from the top flight are therefore facing automatic relegation next summer instead of last season’s one, plus the second-bottom side facing a play-off. One team from the second division will be promoted.

Last term, Hamilton Academical faced the automatic drop, while Dundee United retained their spot in the top division by beating Kilmarnock in the play-off.

Queen’s Park finished top of SWPL2 and are set for their first season in the top division in almost 10 years.

Montrose had their first season in the top flight last term and cruised to safety well before the end of the campaign, but midfielder Jade McLaren knows it is going to be an even bigger ask this time out.

“I think it’ll make the league more competitive,” she said. “It’s a bit rubbish that three teams go down, but us as a team we just need to cement our place even quicker than last season and hopefully finish as close to the top six as possible.”

Spartans defender Robyn McCafferty thinks she and her teammates will embrace the challenge.

“We need to be realistic in terms of where we’ve finished in the last couple of seasons – it’s disappointing from us,” she said. “Knowing the restructure of the league, the three teams getting relegated, that’s a bit of added pressure.

“We know from last season we were around that place which could be dangerous this season, but that really motivates us.”