Hearts and Rangers Face Tough Champions League Test

Scottish women's football faces a critical test this week as Hearts and Rangers enter the Women's Champions League second qualifying round mini-tournaments. The two clubs are the latest to attempt to reverse a downward trend for Scottish teams in the competition since Glasgow City reached the quarter-finals in 2020.

This season's format offers more opportunities than in previous years. While group winners advance to the third qualifying round, runners-up now drop into the Europa League third qualifying round, and third-placed teams enter the Europa League second qualifying round. This change provides a safety net that did not exist before, when only the winner progressed.

Hearts' Historic Domestic Triumph and European Debut

Hearts surprised many by winning the Scottish Women's Premier League for the first time, clinching the title on the final day of the season. However, like their male counterparts, they lost their head coach shortly after the triumph. Eva Olid stepped down, citing a lack of financial support, and is expected to be named manager of Manchester United. Her replacement, Andy Thomson, who previously served as assistant at rivals Rangers, has made few additions to the squad.

Defender Ebonie Locke has joined on a short-term loan from Birmingham City, but Northern Ireland midfielder Joely Andrews has departed for city rivals Hibernian. Hearts begin their European campaign in Denmark, where they face Gintra on Wednesday. The Lithuanian club has won their domestic title every year since 2005 and are experienced in these mini-tournaments. Two seasons ago, they lost 2-0 to Celtic in the final of a mini-tournament they hosted in Lithuania.

While Hearts have yet to start their domestic season, Gintra are 12 games into theirs and currently lead the 2026 Moteru A Lyga, having won their last three matches. However, Gintra have never advanced from a mini-tournament, losing to Ukraine's Vorskla Poltava in last year's final after beating Romania's Farul Constanța in the semi-final.

Hearts' squad will face a Gintra side composed mainly of Lithuanian players, supplemented by three Brazilians, two Ukrainians, an American, a Canadian, a Finn, and a Zambian. If Hearts progress, they will meet either hosts HB Koge or Riga of Latvia in Saturday's final.

Rangers Face Riga, Who Have Already Beaten British Sides

Rangers, who finished as runners-up in the Scottish Women's Premier League, will face Riga in their mini-tournament. Riga are midway through their season and have already defeated two British teams in Champions League qualifying this season, beating Glentoran 4-1 in the first qualifying round semi-final and repeating that scoreline against Wrexham in the final. That performance is an improvement on last season, when they beat Flora of Estonia 4-1 but then lost to Racing Union of Luxembourg.

Domestically, Riga are on course for a third consecutive title, sitting three points behind RFS but with three games in hand. They recorded a remarkable 22-0 victory over bottom side Rezekne in June. The squad is mainly homegrown, but includes Japanese defender Miyu Takahira, who was with Danish side Fortuna Hjorring when they beat Hibernian at the same stage last season.

HB Koge: Favourites in Hearts' Group

Hearts' potential final opponent, HB Koge, claimed the Danish title for a fourth time last season, also adding the domestic cup. They reached the group stage proper in 2021-22 and are likely to be favourites to progress, bolstered by American investment and players. The squad includes seasoned Denmark internationals Rikke Madsen, Mille Gejl, and Simone Boye, while forward Nadia Nadim has previously played for Manchester City and Kyra Carusa represents the Republic of Ireland.

Both Hearts and Rangers will be hoping to emulate Glasgow City's run to the quarter-finals in 2020, but the challenge is formidable. The mini-tournaments take place this week, with the finals scheduled for Saturday.