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Friday, October 9, 2026

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Smith and McLaughlin win SWPL monthly award  

Libby Smith and Laura McLaughlin have been named the Scottish Women’s Premier League Player of the Month winners for September 2026.  

In the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League, Hibernian forward Smith enjoyed a prolific month, scoring eight goals and providing one assist. The English striker opened her September account against Glasgow City, finding the net in the first half of a hard-fought 2-2 draw at Meadowbank.

Smith’s goalscoring form continued the following weekend as Hibs travelled to Ayrshire to face Kilmarnock in the Sky Sports Cup second round. The forward struck three times in an 8-1 victory before returning to league action the following weekend and replicating the feat with another hat-trick in a 6-1 win over SPWPL opponents Montrose.

In SPWPL2, Kilmarnock captain McLaughlin was recognised for multiple impressive performances and her impact at both ends of the pitch throughout the month. The defender played a key role in two clean sheets against St Johnstone and Livingston, while also finding the net in both games. McLaughlin continued her goalscoring form in Kilmarnock’s final game of September against Hamilton Academical, once again opening the scoring to bring her tally for the season to four goals, already matching her total for last season.  

Although nominated once before for this award in season 2025-26, this is the first time the experienced central defender has won this award, with her contributions also greatly helping to ensure Kilmarnock remained unbeaten in the month.

The other nominees for the September 2026 SWPL Player of the Month award were Laura Berry (Rangers), Carly Johns (Heart of Midlothian), and Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City), and for the SWPL2 award were Fiona Gibson (Boroughmuir Thistle), Cara Gray (Kilmarnock), and Steffi Simson (Dundee United).  

Photo of Libby Smith by SWPL/Malcolm McKenzie

Photo of Laura McLaughlin by SWPL/Colin Poultney