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.
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. 30 best SWPL
Who are the top 30 players in the Scottish women's top tier? Photo credit: Photo 1: Motherwell FC, others all: SNS Group Photo: Motherwell FC/SNS Group
. Hayley Lauder (Glasgow City)
A legend of the Scottish game, Hayley Lauder scored the opening goal that sent Glasgow City on to an astonishing 14th league title in a row. Despite being just 31, she has 103 caps for the national team and takes the crown as the SWPL's best player. Photo: Ross MacDonald - SNS Group
. Priscila Chinchilla (Glasgow City)
Costa Rica's up and coming talent Priscila Chincilla has been a revelation since moving to Scotland last January. Her pace, trickery and outstanding ball control transformed City last season and she has continued her form this season with 10 goals. Still just 20-years-old, Chinchilla has the world at her feet. Photo: Mark Scates - SNS Group
. Lizzie Arnot (Rangers)
Still only 25, Rangers' forward Lizzie Arnot has enjoyed a supremely successful career already. She helped Manchester United in the English top tier, was a vital part of Scotland's World Cup 2019 squad and was top scorer in her first SWPL season with Rangers. Vital to everything the Gers do, Arnot is Rangers' stand out player. Photo: Mark Scates - SNS Group
. Rachael Boyle (Hibernian)
One of the most respected players in the league, Hibs' Rachael Boyle oozes quality on the park and has been the stand out for The Hibees for a number of seasons. Photo: Paul Devlin - SNS Group
. Charlie Wellings (Celtic)
Celtic's key summer signing Charlie Wellings has been in scintillating form since joining the Hoops in the summer, scoring goals at will and transforming Fran Alonso's forward line. She's made a big impact and completes our top five. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
. Rachel McLauchlan (Rangers)
The SWPL's player of the month for November, Rangers' Rachel McLauchlan, has proven to be an excellent signing for Malky Thomson's Rangers. The attacking full back is a regular for Scotland and contributes as much going forward as she does defensively. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
. Lee Alexander (Glasgow City)
Widely seen as the country's best goalkeeper by some distance, Glasgow City's Lee Alexander is consistently excellent and is widely regarded as one of the best stoppers in Britain. Photo: Ross MacDonald - SNS Group
. Jane Ross (Rangers)
Experienced Scotland forward Jane Ross has enjoyed a glittering career, scoring goals for Glasgow City, Manchester United and West Ham, and has continued the trend following her summer move to girlhood club Rangers. Photo: Mark Scates - SNS Group
. Jenna Clark (Glasgow City)
Glasgow City's 20-year-old centre back Jenna Clark has enjoyed a dream year, winning the title in summer, before scoring at Hampden Park on her Scotland debut. Calmness personified, Clark is the classiest defender in the league. Photo: Ross MacDonald - SNS Group / SRU
. Olivia Chance (Celtic)
Celtic summer signing Olivia Chance is the Hoops second summer signing to feature high up on this list. The New Zealand international has added class and composure to the Celtic midfield. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
13. Sam Kerr (Rangers)
A natural talent in the Rangers engine room, Sam Kerr is a versatile midfielder who oozes class in the centre of the park. Capable in the heart of midfielder, wide or in her preferred number 10 role, the Scotland international is the Gers best midfielder. Photo: Craig Williamson - SNS Group
14. Caitlin Hayes (Celtic)
Celtic's Caitlin Hayes is an absolute warrior of a defender. Hayes is an extremely tough opponent and enjoyed a massively successful year, helping the Hoops to Champions League qualification and the SWPL Cup - only the club's second ever in their history. Photo: Rob Casey - SNS Group
15. Sarah Harkes (Celtic)
Sarah Harkes in a big part of Celtic's energetic midfield. Capable of bagging an impressive amount of goals from midfield, the American has been one their stand outs since returning from a knee injury earlier in the year. Photo: Rob Casey - SNS Group
16. Becky Galbraith (Spartans)
Spartan's experienced centre forward Becky Galbraith is one of the SWPL's most consistent goalscorers. Her pace and physical presence causes every back four in the league problems. Photo: Mark Scates - SNS Group