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Leanne Crichton has signed up for Motherwell for the forthcoming 2021/22 SWPL1 campaign.

The Scotland midfielder has been recruited as both a player and as assistant to new boss Paul Brownlie.

“I’m delighted to have signed with Motherwell,” said Crichton.

“I have worked with Paul previously and this was an opportunity that I couldn’t refuse.

“I believe this is the beginning of something really exciting and hope together we can bring success to this football club.”

Crichton amassed 72 international caps in her career in dark blue, as well as playing at club level for Celtic, Hibernian, Notts County and most notably Glasgow City.

It was with the perennial champions she lifted multiple league titles and featured in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

“I’m thrilled to have Leanne here at Motherwell,” head coach Paul Brownlie said of his signing.

“It’s a massive statement to bring someone with the level of experience Leanne has.

“She is an incredible professional both on and off the pitch, with a real winning mentality.

“Leanne will also join the coaching staff as the assistant manager. I know the standards Leanne sets and that’s why I worked so hard to bring her here to Motherwell.”

Motherwell ended the SWPL1 season with a 8-0 home defeat to Celtic.

The women of steel were well beaten by a determined Celtic side who were looking to claim the league title.

The visitors knew going into this match that goal difference could determine if they would wrestle the title from Glasgow City and fielded a very attacking side.

Celtic broke the deadlock after five minutes. Kay Nicholson picked up the ball 30 yards out and decided to have a shot, which flew into the top corner.

Three minutes later, Celtic doubled their advantage. A free-kick was sent into the box, Pollard came out from her net but Sarah Ewens got there before her to finish.

On 20 minutes, Motherwell had the ball in the Celtic half and were caught on the counter-attack. Bowie burst down the wing and played the ball into Anna Filbey, who finished past the keeper.

Celtic scored again on 29 minutes, Bowie again caused trouble down the wing and played it across for Chloe Craig, who made no mistake.

Motherwell conceded again just before half-time, Pollard came out of her goal and couldn’t grasp the ball and her namesake London Pollard pounced to make it five with her knee.

Celtic came out firing for the second half and quickly got their next goal. Fibley made it a double, rounding the keeper to slot home with sixth.

Celtic captain Clark made it seven when she powered home a header from a corner, and Lisa Robertson had the final word, netting after Celtic hit the post and Pollard made a great save.

The result means Celtic finish second and qualify for the Champions League, with Glasgow City’s win over Rangers ensuring the title could not be won by Fran Alonso’s side.

Motherwell finish sixth in the league ahead of Forfar Farmington and Hearts after a strong run in.

The ‘Well will be playing in the top flight again next season and will begin a new era under incoming boss Paul Brownlie.

Motherwell end the 2020/21 SWPL1 season with a home tie against Celtic on Sunday.

Kick-off at the Penny Cars Stadium is at 4.10pm.

Fans will not be able to attend. The game will be broadcast live on BBC Sport Scotland.

Title on the line

Motherwell could have a direct influence on the destination of the SWPL1 title.

Celtic sit three points behind perennial leaders Glasgow City going into the final match.

Victory for Fran Alonso’s side, paired with defeat for City to Champions League-chasing Rangers and a three-goal swing, could see Celtic end City’s 13-year run as champions.

For Motherwell, finishing sixth is at stake, with Forfar Farmington sitting one point behind as they travel to Hibernian.

Tale of the tape

Motherwell’s first match in the top flight was a 0-0 draw at Celtic in March 2019.

Since then, Sunday’s visitors have had the upper hand, winning the last four.

Form guide

Celtic have won nine of their last 10 matches to put themselves in title contention.

A 0-0 draw with league leaders Glasgow City was the only time points were dropped, in a run which saw them score 35 and concede just two.

Motherwell’s 1-0 win at Hearts was the only win in the last five, with four defeats coming against Hibernian, Glasgow City, Rangers and Spartans.

Motherwell’s final away game of the SWPL1 season ended in defeat at Rangers on Sunday.

The title-chasing hosts netted six without reply, with Nicola Docherty, Kirsten Reilly, Rachel McLauchlan, Zoe Ness, Clare Gemmell and a Jordan McLintock own goal racking up the score.

It didn’t take long for the home side to break the deadlock. After just four minutes, Docherty looked to be trying to swing a cross in, but her effort snuck in past Pollard and Rangers were in front.

Rangers continued to have most of the possession in the game. On 21 minutes, the Gers looked set to double their advantage when Hay used her pace to latch on the ball.

Through on goal in a one v one, goalkeeper Pollard came out and took the ball off of her. Chelsie Watson then blocked the ball on the line from Hay’s second attempt.

However, seven minutes later Rangers did double their advantage. Reilly picked up the ball 25 yards out and decided to take a shot which went flying past the ‘keeper and into the net.

Rangers grabbed a third on 34 minutes, Rachel McLauchlan tapping into an empty net after the ball fell to her in the six-yard box.

It was all one-way traffic in the second half.

Seven minutes after the restart, Rangers got their fourth of the game. Ness’ looping header went over Pollard and into the net.

Motherwell’s afternoon was summed up on 64 minutes.

A ball was flashed across goal and McLintock couldn’t get out of the way of the ball at the back post and it went into her own net for Rangers’ fifth of the afternoon.

Gemmell got in on the act as she headed home for number six on 79 minutes, in what was the captain’s final game at home for Rangers.

Motherwell will finish their SWPL1 campaign when they come up against Celtic at the Penny Cars Stadium next Sunday.

Motherwell: Pollard, Connor, C Watson, G Crooks, Hay, Adams, McLintock, Inglis, McDonald-Nguah, Gardner, Skelton.

Subs: K Watson, Roberts, Sinclair, Pullar, Gallon, M Crooks.

Rangers lie in wait next for Motherwell in SWPL1.

Kick-off at the Rangers Training Centre on Sunday is at 4pm.

Tale of the tape

Rangers have won four-in-a-row in the fixture, with ‘Well’s last positive result coming in a 3-3 draw in 2019.

So far this season, Rangers have won 9-0 at home and then 6-0 away against the women of steel.

Form guide

Motherwell have won two of their last five matches in the league.

Stewart Hall’s side were two goals ahead at home to Spartans in midweek, but lost out 3-2 to the Edinburgh club.

Title-chasing Rangers have won four of their last five, beating Forfar Farmington 4-0 in midweek.

Spartans came back from two goals down to overcome Motherwell in the SWPL1.

Jade Gallon and Kaela McDonald-Nguah put Motherwell two goals up at the break. But Spartans came back through a Marshall double and a McAlonie goal to leave with all three points.

Up until 35 minutes, it was a half of very few chances. Motherwell’s best opportunity for an opener came from captain Inglis, who volleyed over the bar after Spartans failed to clear a cross.

The breakthrough would occur a minute later. Hay fed the ball through and Gallon, making a late run from midfield, got on the end of the pass and cooly rounded the keeper to tap into an empty net to give the ‘Well the lead.

Motherwell could have sat back until half-time defending their lead but instead they pushed to increase it.

And they did just that. Pressure on Yates in the Spartans goal forced her into a slack pass that fell to Gardner. She controlled and fed McLintock, who ran at the defence before laying it off for McDonald-Nguah who blasted it into the bottom-left corner.

Spartans came out firing in the second half and on the 52nd minute, Watson was judged to have handled the ball in the area and Spartans had a penalty.

Spartans captain Marshall stepped up and although her initial effort was saved by Pollard, she scored from the rebound.

Seven minutes later, Spartans were level. Marshall got her second of the night as she fired into the top corner to make it all square.

Watson’s brilliant free-kick was stopped from going into the top corner to prevent Motherwell from regaining the lead with the game on a knife edge.

Although Motherwell kept in the game, Spartans stole all three points with just over 10 minutes to go.

A slack pass out from the home defence saw McAlonie through one v one and she finished past Pollard.

Motherwell will rightfully feel hard done by not get anything out of the game but will go into Sunday’s game against Rangers feeling optimistic.

Motherwell host Spartans in SWPL1 on Wednesday evening.

Kick off at the Penny Cars Stadium is at 7.30pm.

The game is closed to supporters but is available to watch live online for £5.

Tale of the tape

Spartans have won both encounters between the two sides this season.

A 3-1 win at Ainslie Park last month came after a 2-0 victory back in November.

Form guide

A 1-0 away win at Hearts on Sunday lifted Motherwell up to sixth in the table, leapfrogging Forfar Farmington and increasing the distance between the bottom-of-the-table Jambos.

The victory made it two wins from four for Stewart Hall’s side, having also won 1-0 at Forfar.

Motherwell edged out a closely-fought encounter against Hearts 1-0 in SWPL1 on Sunday.

Jade Gallon’s penalty was enough to secure all three points in the capital, lifting Motherwell into sixth place in the table.

In the first 25 minutes, both sides struggled to get a foothold in the game. Motherwell had a penalty claim turned down early on, after Pullar had a collision with the goalkeeper.

However, on 37 minutes, Motherwell would be awarded a spot kick.

Gallon was brought down in the penalty area and the referee pointed straight to the spot.

After winning the penalty, Gallon took on the kicking duties and fired her team ahead after slotting home in the bottom-left corner.

Hearts’ best chance of the first half came after a ball was played down the line to put Jenny Smith through one on one with the keeper but she fired wide.

The hosts continued to put pressure on Motherwell in the second half with a range of chances for the Jambos. They would go on to hit the bar from a cutback and had numerous efforts off target.

Despite intense pressure, Motherwell dug deep to hold onto their slender lead and come out with all the points and a clean sheet.

The result sees ‘Well move up into sixth place in the table and go into their next game against Spartans with a huge boost of confidence.

It’s Hearts next for Motherwell in SWPL.

Kick-off at the Oriam on Sunday is at 1pm.

The game is closed to supporters and unfortunately is not available to watch online. BBC Scotland will show highlights on TV on Sunday night.

Tale of the tape

Motherwell have come out on top in both league encounters so far this season.

A 3-0 away win earlier in the campaign was followed up by a 2-1 home win last month.

Form guide

Motherwell’s battling show against league leaders Glasgow City again pointed to things going in the right direction as the league races to its conclusion.

Prior to the 4-2 defeat on Wednesday, Stewart Hall’s side narrowly lost out 1-0 to Hibernian, having defeated Forfar Farmington previously.

Hearts’ 2-1 win over Forfar on Wednesday brought them back to within two points of Motherwell at the foot of the table.

Since their 1-0 win over Hibernian in December, the Jambos had lost nine and drawn one before their midweek victory.

Paul Brownlie will be the new head coach of Motherwell’s women’s team.

The 38-year-old, who will also undertake the role of head of women and girl’s performance, will join ‘Well from the Scottish FA at the end of the current women’s season.

“I’m delighted to be given this opportunity,” said Brownlie, who will officially take over in early June. “The challenge is going to be exciting.

“First and foremost, it’s about getting Motherwell FC in the best position possible through my experience of the game, looking at how we can go and compete at the right end of the league.

“In terms of the academy, we want to get it out the best level possible, and that remit falls with me.

“We want Motherwell to be the place girls want to come to develop in Scotland. We need only to look at the success the boys have had and ask if we can mirror that success by putting in the work to make it one of the best academies in Scotland.”

Brownlie has extensive experience in the women’s game, having been a senior member of Celtic’s women’s academy for seven years.

The Scottish FA then headhunted him to be their high performance football manager, which involved the planning, coordinating, delivering and evaluating all aspects of the National Performance Centre’s performance programme, based at Heriot-Watt University, in conjunction with the Scottish FA’s national coach for girl’s & women’s football.

In addition to that, Paul was also involved in the youth and senior women’s international teams, including the Under 15s, 16s, 17s and the A squad. He also coached in the Motherwell elite men’s academy at Braidhurst between 2018 and 2020.

“We ran what I believe to be a very extensive and robust recruitment process through Sport Careers Agency, which has concluded with Paul’s appointment,” Motherwell chief executive Alan Burrows said.

“I am extremely thankful to everyone who applied and took part in that, which was both enlightening and exciting.

“In Paul, I believe I have someone who can not only lead our senior team in SWPL1 but also help us shape what we hope will be one of the best girls academies in the country.

“My aim has always been to have someone to really drive this side of the club forward. To give ownership to someone to really grow what we believe is an area of huge potential.

“We believe Paul not only has the ability and experience necessary to do that but the determination for it too. I am really looking forward to working with him.”