The SWPL may not be perfect but when it comes to intriguing finales there are few who do it better.
Helicopters and live camera tracking of the trophy have offered a spice to the final day of the season across recent campaigns with this year gearing up to be of similar ilk.
And while the Women’s Super League south of the border is the lights and glamour that many young players will aspire to given the finances and resources that are on offer, the SWPL retains a competitive edge that has got to be maximised.
All the signs of the last week would point to another edge-of-the-seat title race. And while recent seasons have seen a top three fight it out, it is impossible to oversee the influence that Hibs are currently exerting.
Grant Scott’s side have claimed huge wins over the past few weeks with the points banked the most obvious achievement of note as they have kept pace at the top. But psychologically it is interesting to see what they draw from their comprehensive victories over Rangers and Glasgow City.
It was 2007 the last time that Hibs beat City on league duty. Last weekend’s victory now means that they are level on points with Jo Potter’s Rangers with 14 games remaining this term.
There would be no argument that they are in the form team in the league as they enjoy a sequence of results that stretches to 11 games without defeat, the longest unbeaten streak in the top flight.
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How they have got there is as notable; four points taken from two meeting with Rangers, a point from Celtic in their only meeting with Elena Sadiku’s side while last Sunday’s win over City could well have been of a wider margin.
Having finished in fifth place last season, 36 points off of title winners Celtic, there is no ambiguity about the progress that has been made by Scott. Whether it also alerts others to his qualities with a high profile vacancy available at Hampden remains to be seen.
Eva Olid’s Hearts will be frustrated at the ease with which Celtic beat them last weekend given that they too have been there or thereabouts across the opening half of the season.
Leanne Ross’ side remain at the summit of the SWPL but Celtic’s six points from six from their two games in hand has put Elena Sadiku’s side level on points with the Petershill side.
City, of course, finished last season empty-handed. The last time that happened they followed it up with a title win at Ibrox with virtually the last kick of the ball on a pulsating finale to the campaign.
As it stands, there are just six points between Hearts in fifth place and Glasgow City at the summit. Hearts have added in the window as they look to sustain their challenge while there is a noticeable hole at Celtic given the departure of Caitlin Hayes.
Sadiku added 22-year-old Momo Nakao just before the women’s window closed on Friday night to bolster the squad but there has been no replacement for Hayes.
It will be interesting to see, as the campaign goes deeper, what impact that may be as Celtic look to defend their title.
Certainly, it looks as though league bosses will be primed for another uncertain finale.
That competitiveness is the biggest selling point that a league which fractures clearly along professional lines with the differentials in those who can offer full-time contracts and those who can’t clearly illustrated in league positions.
The challenge for the league is to drive an interest in what is going on before we get to the photo-finish.
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AND ANOTHER THING
There is a feeling that Glasgow City’s trophy cabinet being empty last summer was a personal affront to Leanne Ross.
Ross won a record total of 27 domestic medals with Glasgow City - 14 SWPL titles, seven Scottish Women Scottish Cups and six SWPL titles – so it is little wonder that Rangers claiming both domestic trophies last term and Celtic claiming the league would have stuck in her craw.
Taking steps to rectify that will come this afternoon in the Scottish Gas Scottish Women’s Cup as City host Elena Sadiku’s Celtic at Petershill Park as they teams battle it out for a place in the quarter-finals.
It is, of course, the plum tie of the round with one of the favourites to win the competition having to make way.
All eyes, then, on the game which kicks off at 1pm at Petershill this afternoon.
AND FINALLY
Erin Cuthbert reached a celebratory milestone this month as she made her 250th appearance for Chelsea.
A player who seems to have been on the scene for so long after bursting into the international picture when still in her teens, Cuthbert’s influence can be seen on and off the park for Scotland.
Having players perform against the very best at club level on domestic and European fronts lends a depth to the national squad.
For any incoming manager, getting the best out of these players in a Scotland shirt is the route back to qualification for World Cup and European Championships.
