It’s been another year of huge growth for the women’s game in Scotland.
Despite starting the year unable to play fixtures due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the year ended with the Scottish national team playing at Hampden Park, a new record attendance of almost 6,000 at Easter Road set for a domestic game in Scotland and the highest ever crowd for a Scottish Women’s League cup final.
Add into the mix that Scotland’s top tier now has three fully-professional women’s clubs and the outlook of the women’s game in Scotland has never been brighter.
But, for those of you who are new to the SWPL or the women’s game, the question is: who are the players to look out for?
We asked a panel of nine current SWPL managers, assistant managers, coaches and players as well as former players, SWPL experts and journalists to give us their list of the 10 best players in the SWPL, and awarded each player points for their ranking (ie: position one = 10 points, position two = 9 points, position three = 8 points etc.) to give us the definitive list of 2021’s best players in the Scottish women’s top tier.
The panel – all of whom are respected voices within the Scottish game – contributed anonymously so their choices are not guided by club or professional loyalties.
So whether you’re an avid fan of the SWPL and its stars or new to the league looking to find out more, here is who the experts voted as the best 30 players in the league for the year 2021.
Is your favourite player listed?
17. Robyn McCafferty (Spartans)
Spartans teenage defender Robyn McCafferty is one of the league's biggest prospects. Often unfazed, the 19-year-old has put in numerous mature and solid defensive displays for the Edinburgh club. Photo: Ross MacDonald - SNS Group
18. Josephine Giard (Hamilton)
German striker Josephine Giard dropped into the second tier at the beginning of 2021 after a successful stint with Celtic. A speedster, Giard also offers excellent hold up play. Photo: Ross MacDonald - SNS Group
19. Kirsten Reilly (Rangers)
Powerful midfielder Kirsten Reilly has one of the best passing ranges in the league and has proven to be one of the first names on Gers boss Malky Thomson's team sheet since her move from Hibs prior to the pandemic. Photo: Ross MacDonald - SNS Group
20. Leah Eddie (Hibernian)
Composed, classy and full of promise, Eddie has broken into the Scotland squad this year after several solid performances at the heart of Hibs' defence. Still only 20, Eddie has her best years ahead of her still too. Photo: Mark Scates - SNS Group / SFA