What can we expect from new SWPL season?

Hearts will kick off the defence of the Scottish Women’s Premier League title on Sunday as the season gets under way.

The club will face Aberdeen under a new regime after the departure of newly appointed Manchester United boss Eva Olid.

Andy Thomson arrived from Rangers to replace the title-winning manager after a historic season in the capital which saw the Jambos crowned champions for the first time.

New Hearts captain Lauren Wade insists the Edinburgh side won’t be intimidated by having a target on their back this season.

Wade said: “I think, naturally, that comes with being league champions, but it’s something you have to relish as a player.

“We’re going out to each game knowing teams are going to want to beat us.

“We’re looking forward to the season and taking it game by game. We’re really looking forward to getting started.”

Rangers

Rangers succeeded in reaching both domestic cup finals last term and were part of the final day drama as Hearts pipped them to the title.

Leanne Crichton’s side finished the campaign without a trophy, but a second-place finish saw them secure European football.

Defeat to Ajax on Saturday night at Petershill meant the Gers were eliminated at the qualifying stage of the Champions League, but with Europa Cup qualifiers on the horizon, Rangers defender Kathryn Hill has momentarily turned her attention to the league title when they travel to Montrose on the opening day.

Hill said: “A lot of us have been here for the last little while and I think we’ve had a mix of success and obviously a mix of disappointing days.

“The league title is something we’re still trying to get our hands back on. That will be the main aim.

“Making every cup final is important to us as well. You just want to be as successful as you can.

“Every competition you go into, you want to try to win it. The new players will understand that, and the experienced players can help the younger ones too.”

Glasgow City

Glasgow City will be desperate to build on their Sky Sports Cup Final win last season when they kick off the new campaign at home to Celtic.

Leanne Ross led her side to a trophy last term, but a third-place finish in the league meant there was no European football on offer for the club.

Co-captain Amy Muir has insisted Glasgow City is a club “built on success” and they must strive to return to the top spot this time around.

Muir said: “I think, for us, every year, Glasgow City just wants to be extremely competitive and every trophy, every competition. I think, obviously, having won silverware last year was important, but we want to do it again. We want to do it more.

“This club is built on success, so we just want more of that again this year.

“Recent years have shown how difficult it is to remain at the top and to be in amongst that is a great achievement in itself because of how competitive that top is.

Hibernian

Hibernian failed in their bid to defend their crown last season, finishing fourth in the table as city rivals Hearts were crowned champions.

Club legend Joelle Murray took over the reins after the departure of Grant Scott to Celtic in January, and it was an impressive post-split display from Hibees under the former Hibs skipper.

Defender Caley Gibb warns the team are fully focused on “getting our title back” when they begin their season against Motherwell.

Gibb said: “You want to win trophies; that’s the whole point of playing.

“I think going into every week just looking to win, set a mark on the league and do what we can for our fans.

“They show up week in, week out, win, lose or draw, and they deserve everything.

“We’re going to go out there and give it our all.

“The main aim should be getting our title back, so let’s hope we can do that.”