Emma Louise Lawton (born 26 July 2001) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a right back for Celtic of the Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL). Her previous clubs include Partick Thistle (two spells) and Motherwell.
Club career
Raised in East Kilbride,[1] Lawton played for Celtic as a youth player but joined Partick Thistle aged 15, immediately competing at senior level albeit in the SWFL First Division South (the regionalised amateur third tier); she helped Partick gain promotion to the Scottish Women's Premier League-2 in 2018.[2] In late 2019 she joined Manchester City, although only featured for the English club's development side in a spell which was also interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In July 2022, Lawton returned to Scotland and signed for SWPL-1 team Motherwell,[3] where she spent one season before re-joining Partick Thistle, now also members of the top tier.[4][2] During the 2023–24 season, Partick reached their first major final – losing 4–1 to Rangers in the SWPL Cup[5] – and finished in the league's top six, with Lawton named in the PFA Scotland SWPL Team of the Year[6] and as the club's Player of the Year.[7] She agreed a new contract with Partick and began the following campaign with the Jags, but joined Celtic on a full-time contract on 12 September 2024 (transfer deadline day) along with Motherwell's Morgan Cross.[8][1][9] She quickly impressed with performances in the SWPL and the UEFA Women's Champions League.[10]
International career
Lawton was selected for the Scotland under-23 team, which plays only friendly matches, in 2023 and 2024.[11][12]
Personal life
Lawton has studied and trained as a sports coach, achieving a BA in Football Coaching and Management from the UCFB in 2022, and holding a UEFA B licence by 2024.[10]
References
- ^ a b Celtic return 'a humbling moment' for East Kilbride star after academy days, Paul Thomson, Daily Record, 23 September 2024
- ^ a b Partick Thistle ace returns to 'make more history' in SWPL, Paul Thomson, Daily Record, 14 July 2023
- ^ Emma Lawton Joins Motherwell FC, Motherwell FC, 2 July 2022
- ^ Emma Lawton Returns To PTWFC, Partick Thistle FC, 7 July 2023
- ^ "Rangers Women 4-1 Partick Thistle Women: Jo Potter's side retain Sky Sports Cup with comfortable win at Tynecastle". Sky Sports. 25 March 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
- ^ Rangers most featured in SWPL team of the year, BBC Sport, 21 April 2024
- ^ Emma Lawton Signs For Celtic, Partick Thistle FC, 12 September 2024
- ^ Celtic swoop on rivals for deadline day double transfer, BBC Sport, 12 September 2024
- ^ Emma Lawton, Celtic FC
- ^ a b Lawton living the 'surreal' dream, Amy Canavan, BBC Sport, 27 September 2024
- ^ Emma Lawton, Soccerdonna
- ^ Emma Lawton, FlashScore. Retrieved 6 January 2025
External links
- Emma Lawton at Soccerway