2018–19 in Scottish football explained

Country:	Scotland
Season:	2018–19
Prevseason:	2017–18
Nextseason:	2019–20
Flagicon:	yes

Bodyclass:	football
Headerstyle:	background:#BFD7FF
Above:	2018–19 in Scottish football
Header1:	Premiership champions
Data2:	Celtic
Header3:	Championship champions
Data4:	Ross County
Header5:	League 1 champions
Data6:	Arbroath
Header7:	League 2 champions
Data8:	Peterhead
Header9:	Scottish Cup winners
Data10:	Celtic
Header11:	League Cup winners
Data12:	Celtic
Header13:	Challenge Cup winners
Data14:	Ross County
Header15:	Youth Cup winners
Data16:	Rangers
Header17:	Teams in Europe
Data18:	Celtic, Aberdeen, Rangers, Hibernian
Header19:	Scotland national team
Data20:	2018–19 UEFA Nations League C UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying

The 2018–19 season was the 122nd season of competitive football in Scotland. The domestic season began on 14 July 2018, with the first round of matches in the 2018–19 Scottish League Cup. The 2018–19 Scottish Professional Football League season commenced on 4 August.

Transfer deals

See main article: List of Scottish football transfers summer 2018 and List of Scottish football transfers winter 2018–19.

Celtic sold striker Moussa Dembélé to Lyon for €22 million (about £19.7 million), a record transfer fee received by a Scottish club at the time.^{[1] [2]}

League competitions

Scottish Premiership

See main article: 2018–19 Scottish Premiership.

Scottish Championship

See main article: 2018–19 Scottish Championship.

Scottish League One

See main article: 2018–19 Scottish League One.

Scottish League Two

See main article: 2018–19 Scottish League Two.

Non-league football

Level 5

See main article: article, 2018–19 Highland Football League and 2018–19 Lowland Football League.

Level 6

See main article: article, 2018–19 East of Scotland Football League and 2018–19 South of Scotland Football League.

SPFL Reserve League

See main article: SPFL Reserve League. In 2018, the Development League was abolished and replaced by a reserve team competition.^[3]

Honours

width=180	Competition	width=140	Winner	width=80	Score	width=140	Runner-up	Match report
2018–19 Scottish Cup	Celtic	2 - 1	Heart of Midlothian	BBC Sport
2018–19 League Cup	Celtic	1 - 0	Aberdeen	BBC Sport
2018–19 Challenge Cup	Ross County	3 - 1	Connah's Quay Nomads	BBC Sport
2018–19 Youth Cup	Rangers	3 - 2	Celtic	BBC Sport
2018–19 Junior Cup	Auchinleck Talbot	2 - 0	Largs Thistle	BBC Sport
	East Kilbride	2 - 1	Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic	Edinburgh Evening News
2018–19 Amateur Cup	Colville Park	2 – 0	Eastfield	Glasgow World

Non-league honours

Senior

width=180	Competition	width=150	Winner
Highland League	Cove Rangers
Lowland League	East Kilbride
East of Scotland League	Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic
South of Scotland League	Stranraer reserves

Junior

West Region

width=230	Division	width=150	Winner
Premiership	Auchinleck Talbot
Championship	Rutherglen Glencairn
League One	Gartcairn Juniors
League Two	Lanark United

East Region

width=230	Division	width=150	Winner
Superleague	Lochee United
Premier League North	Dundee North End
Premier League South	Pumpherston

North Region

width=230	Division	width=150	Winner
Superleague	Banks O' Dee
North First Division	Banchory St. Ternan
North Second Division	Buchanhaven Hearts

Reserve honours

Competition	Winner	Runner-up	Ref
Reserve League	Rangers	Celtic	^[4]
Reserve League 2	Livingston	Ayr United	^[5] ^[6]
Reserve League Cup	Heart of Midlothian	Motherwell	^[7]
Reserve Challenge Cup	Ayr United	Livingston	^[8]

Individual honours

PFA Scotland awards

width=180	Award	width=150	Winner	width=180	Team
Players' Player of the Year	James Forrest^[9]	Celtic
Young Player of the Year	Ryan Kent	Rangers
Manager of the Year	Steve Clarke	Kilmarnock
Championship Player of Year	Stephen Dobbie	Queen of the South
League One Player of Year	Bobby Linn	Arbroath
League Two Player of Year	Blair Henderson	Edinburgh City

SFWA awards

width=180	Award	width=150	Winner	width=140	Team
Footballer of the Year	James Forrest^[10]	Celtic
Young Player of the Year	David Turnbull^[11]	Motherwell
Manager of the Year	Steve Clarke^[12]	Kilmarnock
International Player of the Year	James Forrest^[13]	Celtic

SPFL awards

Award	Winner	Team
Premiership Manager	Steve Clarke^[14]	Kilmarnock
Premiership Player	James Forrest^[15]	Celtic
Championship Manager	Steve Ferguson and Stuart Kettlewell^[16]	Ross County
Championship Player	Stephen Dobbie^[17]	Queen of the South
League One Manager	Dick Campbell^[18]	Arbroath
League One Player	Bobby Linn^[19]	Arbroath
League Two Manager	Danny Lennon^[20]	Clyde
League Two Player	Blair Henderson^[21]	Edinburgh City

Scottish clubs in Europe

See main article: 2018–19 UEFA Champions League and 2018–19 UEFA Europa League.

Summary

Club	Competitions	Started round	Final round	Coef.
Celtic	UEFA Champions League	First qualifying round	Third qualifying round	11.5
	UEFA Europa League	Play-off round	Round of 32
Aberdeen	UEFA Europa League	Second qualifying round	0.5
Rangers	UEFA Europa League	First qualifying round	Group Stage	11.0
Hibernian	UEFA Europa League	First qualifying round	Third qualifying round	4.0
Total				27.0
Average				6.750

Celtic

UEFA Champions LeagueCeltic started in the first qualifying round of the 2018–19 UEFA Champions League, and were drawn against Armenian club Alashkert.^[22]

UEFA Europa LeagueHaving lost in the third qualifying round of the Champions League, Celtic dropped into the play-off round of the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League.^[23]

Group stageCeltic finished second in Group B, and progressed to the knockout rounds.^[24]

Knockout stage

Aberdeen

UEFA Europa League

Having finished second in the 2017–18 Scottish Premiership, Aberdeen started in the second qualifying round of the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League.

Rangers

UEFA Europa League

Rangers started in the first qualifying round of the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League, where they were drawn to play Macedonian club Shkupi.

Group stage

Hibernian

UEFA Europa League

Hibernian started in the first qualifying round of the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League, and were paired with Faroese club Runavík.^[25]

Scotland national team

See main article: Scotland national football team 2000–19 results.

Women's football

League and Cup honours

width=245	Division	width=150	Winner
2018 SWPL 1	Glasgow City^[26]
2018 SWPL 2	Motherwell^[27]
2018 SWFL First Division (North)	Dundee United
2018 SWFL First Division (South)	Hibernian 23s
2018 SWFL Second Division (West)	Ayr United
2018 SWFL Second Division (Central)	Glasgow City Development
2018 SWFL Second Division (East)	Kelty Hearts CC
2018 SWFL Second Division (North)	Montrose

width=245	Competition	width=150	Winner	width=80	Score	width=150	Runner-up	Match report
2018 Scottish Women's Cup	Hibernian	8 - 0	Motherwell	BBC Sport
2018 SWPL Cup	Hibernian	9 - 0	Celtic	BBC Sport
SWFL First Division Cup	Celtic Academy	1 - 0	Hibernian 23s
SWFL Second Division Cup

Individual honours

SWPL awards

width=200	Award	width=140	Winner	width=140	Team
Players' Player of the Year
Player of the Year
Manager of the Year
Young Player of the Year

Scottish Women's Premier League

See main article: 2018 Scottish Women's Premier League.

SWPL 2

UEFA Women's Champions League

Glasgow City

Glasgow City entered the Champions League in the qualifying round.^[28]

Scotland women's national team

See main article: Scotland women's national football team 2010–19 results.

With a 2–1 win against Albania in the final round of group fixtures, Scotland qualified for their first World Cup finals tournament by winning UEFA Group 2.^[29]

Deaths

• 8 July: Alan Gilzean, 79, Dundee and Scotland forward.^[30]
• 14 July: Davie McParland, 83, Partick Thistle winger; Partick Thistle, Queen's Park and Hamilton Academical manager; Celtic assistant manager.^[31]
• 21 July: Allan Ball, 75, Queen of the South goalkeeper.^[32]
• c.23 July: Jimmy Copeland, 76, Kilmarnock, Dumbarton, Montrose and Clyde forward.^[33]
• 10 August: Alan Hercher, 52, Inverness Caledonian Thistle midfielder.^[34]
• September: George O'Hara, Dundee and Queen of the South forward.^[35]
• 24 September: Jim Brogan, 74, Celtic, Ayr United and Scotland full-back.^[36]
• 31 October: Johnny Graham, 73, Third Lanark, Dundee United, Falkirk, Hibernian and Ayr United midfielder.^[37]
• 13 November: William Mullan, 90, referee.^[38]
• 13 November: David Stewart, 71, Ayr United and Scotland goalkeeper.^[39]
• 16 November: Flemming Nielsen, 84, Morton midfielder.^[40]
• 19 November: George Yardley, 76, East Fife goalkeeper and forward.^[41]
• 22 November: Len Campbell, 71, Dumbarton wing half.^[42]
• 1 January: Freddie Glidden, 91, Hearts and Dumbarton defender.^[43]
• 24 January: Hugh McIlvanney, 84, journalist.^[44]
• 5 February: Joe Fascione, 74, Dundee United winger.^[45]
• 9 February: Katharina Lindner, 39, Glasgow City forward.^[46]
• 9 February: Ian Ross, 72, Berwick Rangers manager.^[47]
• 17 February: Johnny Valentine, 88, Queen's Park, Rangers and St Johnstone defender.^[48]
• 4 March: Eric Caldow, 84, Rangers, Stirling Albion and Scotland defender; Stranraer manager.^[49]
• 7 March: Bobby Campbell, 77, Greenock Morton, St Mirren and Motherwell inside right.^[50]
• 12 April: Ivor Broadis, 96, Queen of the South forward.^[51]
• 22 April: Billy McNeill, 79, Celtic and Scotland defender; Clyde, Aberdeen and Celtic manager.^[52]
• 29 April: Stevie Chalmers, 83, Dumbarton, Celtic, Morton, Partick Thistle and Scotland forward.^[53]
• 13 May: George Smith, 75, referee.^[54]
• 26 May: Harry Hood, 74, Clyde, Celtic, Motherwell and Queen of the South forward; Albion Rovers and Queen of the South manager.^[55]
• 4 June: Lawrie Leslie, 84, Hibernian, Airdrie and Scotland goalkeeper.^[56]
• 17 June: Ian MacFarlane, 86, Aberdeen full-back.^[57]
• 19 June: Ernie Collumbine, 80/81, Stenhousemuir, East Stirlingshire, St Johnstone and Clydebank wing-half.^[58]
• 24 June: Bobby Brown, 87, Motherwell full-back.^[59]

Notes and References

1. News: Moussa Dembele: Celtic striker joins Lyon in £19.7m move. 31 August 2018. BBC Sport. 31 August 2018.
2. News: Celtic's Moussa Dembele joins Lyon for Scottish record fee . 3 September 2018 . Befast Telegraph . 31 August 2018.
3. Web site: Reserve Leagues for season 2018/19 . SPFL . 23 July 2018 . 23 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180723212506/https://spfl.co.uk/news/article/spfl-reserve-league-201819/ . 23 July 2018 . dead .
4. Web site: RANGERS WIN RESERVE LEAGUE . . 6 May 2019 . 21 May 2019.
5. Web site: LIVINGSTON WIN RESERVE LEAGUE 2 . . 28 March 2019 . 21 May 2019.
6. Web site: LIVI RECEIVE RESERVE LEAGUE 2 TROPHY . . 4 April 2019 . 21 May 2019.
7. Web site: HEARTS WIN RESERVE CUP . . 1 April 2019 . 21 May 2019.
8. Web site: AYR WIN RESERVE CHALLENGE CUP . . 3 March 2019 . 21 May 2019.
9. Web site: James Forrest, Steve Clarke & Ryan Kent win PFA Scotland annual awards . 5 May 2019 . 9 May 2019 . BBC Sport.
10. Web site: James Forrest hands Celtic major Scottish Cup Final injury boost. 14 May 2019.
11. News: Shades of McFadden as David Turnbull scoops SFWA young player of the year award . Stewart . Fisher . Evening Times . 11 May 2019 . 12 May 2019.
12. Web site: Steve Clarke interview: Kilmarnock boss on VAR, Scottish refs, improving the game and sectarian abuse.
13. Web site: Forrest top of the Scots. . 25 May 2019 . 15 May 2019 .
14. Web site: CLARKE NAMED MANAGER OF YEAR . . 17 May 2019 . 21 May 2019.
15. Web site: FORREST VOTED PLAYER OF THE YEAR . . 23 May 2019 . 25 May 2019.
16. Web site: COUNTY LAND CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS . . 8 May 2019 . 21 May 2019.
17. Web site: DOBBIE NAMED PLAYER OF YEAR . . 11 May 2019 . 21 May 2019.
18. Web site: CAMPBELL IS LEAGUE 1 MANAGER OF YEAR . . 17 May 2019 . 21 May 2019.
19. Web site: LINN CLAIMS LEAGUE 1 AWARD . . 17 May 2019 . 21 May 2019.
20. Web site: LENNON LANDS LEAGUE 2 AWARD . . 11 May 2019 . 21 May 2019.
21. Web site: HENDERSON VOTED TOP LEAGUE 2 PLAYER . . 11 May 2019 . 21 May 2019.
22. Web site: Celtic start Champions League qualifying quest against Alashkert of Armenia . BBC Sport . 19 June 2018 . 19 June 2018.
23. Web site: AEK Athens 2–1 Celtic . BBC Sport . 14 August 2018 . 14 August 2018.
24. Web site: Celtic face Valencia in Europa League round of 32. 17 December 2018. BBC Sport. 17 December 2018.
25. Web site: Aberdeen face Burnley as Rangers take on Shkupi and Hibs draw Runavik . BBC Sport . 20 June 2018 . 20 June 2018.
26. Web site: SWPL: Glasgow City beat Spartans to claim 12th title in a row . BBC Sport . 28 October 2018 . 28 October 2018.
27. Web site: SWPL: Motherwell Ladies win promotion to the top flight . BBC Sport . 26 August 2018 . 27 August 2018.
28. Web site: Glasgow City drawn with Anderlecht & Gornik Leczna in Champions League . BBC Sport . 22 June 2018 . 22 June 2018.
29. Web site: Albania Women 1–2 Scotland Women . BBC Sport . 4 September 2018 . 4 September 2018 . Amy . MacBeath.
30. Web site: Alan Gilzean: Former Tottenham & Dundee striker dies aged 79 . BBC Sport . 8 July 2018 . 8 July 2018.
31. News: Neil . Cameron . Evening Times . 15 July 2018 . 16 July 2018 . Davie McParland: The legend and gentleman of Partick Thistle .
32. Web site: Allan Ball: Queen of the South great dies aged 75 . BBC Sport . 21 July 2018 . 22 July 2018.
33. https://www.clydefc.co.uk/news/2018/07/23/5884/#.W1yM2vZFycw Jimmy Copeland
34. Web site: Tribute to Alan Hercher . Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC . 10 August 2018 . 10 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180810173451/https://ictfc.com/news/club-news/2263-tribute-to-alan-hercher . 10 August 2018 . dead .
35. Web site: George O'Hara . Dundee FC . 18 September 2018 . 18 September 2018.
36. News: Celtic legend Jim Brogan dies after dementia battle . Caroline . Wilson . Evening Times . 24 September 2018 . 24 September 2018.
37. http://www.ayrunitedfc.co.uk/tributes-to-club-legends/ Tributes to club legends
38. News: Hislop . John . Edinburgh . Former top referee Bill Mullan dies aged 90 . The Edinburgh Reporter . 15 November 2018 . 17 November 2018 . live . https://archive.today/20181117221539/https://www.theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2018/11/former-top-referee-bill-mullan-dies-aged-90/ . 17 November 2018 . dmy-all .
39. Web site: Dave Stewart: Former Swansea & Leeds goalkeeper dies . BBC Sport . 13 November 2018 . 13 November 2018.
40. Web site: Atalanta in lutto, è morto Flemming Nielsen . 16 November 2018 . it.
41. News: Funeral details for Tranmere Rovers hero George Yardley . Liverpool Echo .
42. Web site: LEONARD CAMPBELL . Dumbarton FC . 22 November 2018 . 23 November 2018.
43. Web site: Hearts great Freddie Glidden dies aged 91. skysports.com. . 2 January 2019 . 2 January 2019.
44. Web site: Sports journalist Hugh McIlvanney dies, aged 84 . BBC News . 25 January 2019 . 25 January 2019.
45. Web site: Joe Fascione, 1945-2019 . Chelsea FC .
46. Web site: Kat Lindner: Former Glasgow City player dies aged 39. 10 February 2019. BBC Sport. 11 February 2019.
47. Web site: RIP Ian Ross. 9 February 2019 . Liverpool FC. 1 March 2019.
48. News: Former Rangers football player who lived in Inverness dies . Inverness Courier . 18 February 2019 . 1 March 2019 .
49. Web site: Rangers & Scotland great Eric Caldow dies at 84 . BBC Sport . 4 March 2019 . 4 March 2019.
50. https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/17576668.former-morton-star-who-was-a-key-player-in-one-of-the-clubs-best-ever-sides-has-died/ Former Morton star who was a key player in one of the club's best-ever sides has died
51. News: Ivor Broadis - the Ex-Carlisle United and England international has died aged 96 . News and Star . Jon . Colman . 13 April 2019 . 13 April 2019.
52. Web site: Family's immense sadness as Celtic legend Billy McNeill passes away . Celtic FC . 23 April 2019 . 23 April 2019.
53. Web site: Family's great sadness as Celtic legend Stevie Chalmers passes away . Celtic FC . 29 April 2019 . 29 April 2019.
54. Web site: George Smith: Former Fifa referee from Edinburgh dies aged 75 . BBC Sport . 15 May 2019 . 15 May 2019.
55. Web site: Harry Hood: Former Celtic, Clyde and Sunderland forward Harry Hood dies . BBC Sport . 26 May 2019 . 26 May 2019.
56. Web site: Lawrie Leslie: Former Millwall goalkeeper passes away aged 84 . Millwall FC . 5 June 2019 . 5 June 2019.
57. Web site: Ian MacFarlane: 1933-2019 . Leicester City FC . 19 June 2019 . 27 June 2019.
58. Web site: Ernie Collumbine . 23 June 2019 . 27 June 2019 . East Stirlingshire FC.
59. News: Reds' great Bobby dies at the age of 87 . John . Walsh . Times and Star . 24 June 2019 . 27 June 2019.