“We can challenge every team in the top six”: Hearts’ Emma Brownlie confident heading to run-in
Image supplied by the SWPL: Hearts’ Emma Brownlie believes her team can compete with all of the top 6
By Jack Cranmer
Heart of Midlothian are outsiders in this seasons SWPL title fight.
The side currently sit in 5th position following the split and have an uphill task to try and win their first ever championship in the women’s game, sitting eight points off leaders Glasgow City.
However, they are five behind Celtic, current champions who sit one place above them in the table. Hearts can close that gap to two points in their first post-split fixture this Sunday and fire themselves back into championship contention.
The Jam Tarts have already beaten the Hoops this season and have notched up some impressive results against the leagues recent ‘big three’ of Celtic, Glasgow City and Rangers.
Defender Emma Brownlie spoke at this weeks SWPL event at Hampden and addressed her side’s record this season against other top half sides. She believes they can get more positive results.
She said: “Every single game that we've played against teams around us, bar one Celtic game, we've competed well in this season. That's positive going into the split and we believe we can challenge every team in the top six.”
Brownlie was the first player to sign a professional contract at Hearts in 2022 and was a former player at title rivals Hibernian, Celtic and Rangers but she feels this will have no bearing on this season’s run-in.
The Edinburgh side came 4th last year but were well adrift of the title contenders.
Brownlie praised the team’s coaching staff, specifically manager Eva Olid and her assistant Paschalis Xanthos, for the side’s improvement that has helped them to stay in touch this year.
She said: “We've brought in a lot of new personnel in the summer and have improved the style in which we play. Ava and Pascal have been great this season in terms of what they demand from us in training and every player knows exactly what they need to be doing on a Sunday.”
As a defender she knows the importance of clean sheets. The Jambos have the joint-second best defensive record in the league alongside capital city rivals Hibs, with just league leaders Glasgow City having conceded fewer goals.
Brownlie said: “It’s what you need. If you keep the ball out of your net, it gives you an opportunity to go on and win games.”
Hearts host Celitc to kick off their post split fixtures on Sunday and will travel to face Glasgow City on the final day.