Blockbuster weekend in store for 'better than ever' SWPL

The SWPL rarely fails to deliver drama and this weekend promises to be the most action-packed so far this season.

Celtic and Rangers face off at New Douglas Park, Hearts host SWPL champions Hibs and Hamilton Academical travel to Motherwell in a trio of mouth-watering derbies.

In Sunday's other two fixtures, Aberdeen host Partick Thistle and Glasgow City face Montrose.

Here's what to look out for.

On Sunday afternoon, Leanne Crichton will lead out her Rangers side in the first Old Firm derby of the SWPL season, and she reckons the women's game is going from strength to strength.

The new Ibrox head coach, appointed just over a month ago, says the game's growth over the past five years has helped it evolve into a more competitive environment with clearer pathways for youth development.

"I think where we are now in the women's game is absolutely the best place we've ever been," Crichton said.

"The restructuring of the league this season is going to make it even more competitive by reducing the numbers and increasing the importance of a lot of the fixtures.

"We obviously have some really good relationships with other clubs in the country that we are comfortable with our young, up-and-coming talent going there to develop and get opportunities. I think having that only strengthens the league.

"So there are lots of opportunities to continue to grow and develop.

"It's accelerated quite drastically over the last five years, I think over the next five years we'll continue to see that growth."

Rangers sit second in the league after three games, two points adrift of a Celtic side who are "getting better" every week, according to their head coach, Elena Sadiku.

After a flawless start to the campaign, Celtic have won all three games, scoring 14 goals and conceding only once. Sadiku isn't content to settle, though.

"I think you can see the quality in training," she told club media. "After every game, we talk about what we have done well and what we can learn or do better.

"I'm really happy with the last few weeks, and I'm really happy with the progress because it is getting even better in training, and the quality is getting better."

One week on from their European exploits, third-place Hibs travel across the capital to face fifth-place Hearts.

Grant Scott's side overcame Apollon Limassol in Cyprus last weekend to progress to the first round of qualifying for the inaugural Uefa Women's Europa Cup.

Last season's SWPL champions have won both of their opening games and have a game in hand owing to their European commitments, but will be wary of facing an out-of-sorts Hearts.

Eva Olid's side finished well off the pace in fifth last year and have started this year in a similarly stuttering fashion.

One win, one draw, one loss. A win in the first derby of the season, though, would undoubtedly kickstart the Jambos' campaign.

Hearts v Hibernian will be available to watch live live on the BBC Sport Scotland website and app, where you will also find match reports from all five matches. It kicks off at 13:10 BST.

There will also be full radio commentary of Celtic v Rangers on Sportsound, that gets under way at 15:05 BST.

Sportscene SWPL highlights will be on the BBC Scotland channel on Monday night at 19:30 BST.