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?
21. Clare Shine (Glasgow City)
Irish international Clare Shine is one of the most technically talented strikers in the league. She's scored a number of eye-catching strikes over the last 12 months and is a problem for every defence in the league with her hard work and eye for goal. Photo: Ross MacDonald - SNS Group
22. Rachel Harrison (Spartans)
One of only three goalkeepers in the top 30, Spartans stopper Rachel Harrison has featured in over 200 games since signing for Spartans in 2010 - and she's known as safe hands for a reason. Photo: Mark Scates - SNS Group
23. Amy Anderson (Motherwell)
Former Accies captain Amy Anderson has long been seen as one of the best talents in the Scottish second tier, so the ease in which she has adapted to the SWPL after her summer move to Motherwell is no surprise. Photo: Motherwell FC
24. Jennifer Smith (Hearts)
Former Scotland youth international Jennifer Smith has been a first team regular for the Jambos since her early teens. A superb dribbler, Smith is a talented number 10 for the Edinburgh side. Photo: SNS Group Craig Williamson