Well, we beat them at Hampden on Sunday in the Scottish Cup semi-final to end their season, the Under 18s got the better of them in the Scottish Youth Cup Final last night in that incredible game that finished 6-5 to Celtic and tonight it’s the turn of Fran Alonso’s title chasing Celtic FC Women side who take on the current SWPL1 Champions theRangers at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie.
Last night Glasgow City beat Hibs 2-1 to move five points ahead of Celtic and eight ahead of theRangers, who are effectively chasing that second Champions League spot after they dropped two points at the weekend at home Hearts, conceding a penalty deep into stoppage time to effectively end their title challenge.
🍀 “I don’t mind who puts the ball in the net as long as they’re in green and white”
Caitlin Hayes scored Celtic’s 99th-minute equaliser in their last game against Rangers, what will happen tonight?
📺 Live on Sky, kick-off 7pm pic.twitter.com/pA6ggPIEac
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 4, 2023
The last time the teams met Caitlin Hayes grabbed a season defining 99th equaliser at Broadwood Stadium and all hell broke loose after that leading to a Police investigation into the assault by theRangers Assistant manager for an assault on Fran Alonso. That alone tells you the significance of that result and Celtic are easily the form side in the SWPL1. Even last night’s result for Glasgow City has an up-side for Fran Alonso’s side, because an in-form Glasgow City side would have been looking to establish a goal difference advantage and their failure to do that could yet prove decisive.
Fran Alonso describes it as having five cup finals – win the SWPL1 games against theRangers tonight, Partick Thistle on Sunday then Glasgow City next Thursday night at Celtic Park then it’s a trip to Edinburgh to play Hibs and a final home match against Hearts – and Celtic will be Champions. It’s as simple as that.
🔵 Rangers will be tough challenge
⚽️ Focus on the football this time
🏆 SWPL title is ‘in our hands’
🍀 Playing final game of season at Celtic ParkWe’ve been speaking to Celtic Women’s manager Fran Alonso ahead of Thursday’s game against Rangers, live on Sky Sports 📺 pic.twitter.com/k5Px2J1zMt
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 2, 2023
Of course winning a Glasgow Derby is always a challenge and theRangers have plenty to play for this evening. But Celtic have the momentum and hopefully the backing of a big crowd this evening will help too. Why not get yourselves along to the Excelsior Stadium and cheer on the Hoops. We’ll see you there!
Team News
Speaking to The Celtic Star earlier this week Fran Alonso confirmed that other the the players missing with ongoing injuries everyone else is fit and ready to go after Sunday’s important 3-0 win over Hibs, which was somewhat over-shadowed by the events at Hampden that afternoon. Lucy Ashworth-Clifford, so impressive earlier in the season, will be missing until next season as previously reported. Tonight is probably going to be too soon for our New Zealand international midfielder Liv Chance.
Predicted Team
Pam Tajonar will be in goals and the back three is likely to be Caitlin Hayes, the Kelly Clark and Claire O’Riordan with the wing-backs being Hana Kerner and Shen Menglu. In the middle of the park we expect the hugely experienced duo of Natalie Ross (my pick for POTY) and Lisa Robertson to play with a front three of Amy Gallacher, Jacynta and the gol machine Tash Flint. That’s some team by the way.
Players on the bench for Celtic this evening will include Chloe Logan, Chloe Craig, Taylor Otto, Shen Mengyu, Lisa Robertson, Maria McAnemy, Liv Fergusson, Kit Loferski and Tegan Bowie.
Match Officials
This evening’s match will see Gary Hanvidge with the whistle and he will be assisted by Ian Hart and Scott Bunting. The Fourth official with be Steven Reid and there will of course by no VAR involved.
Kick-off Time
Celtic FC Women v theRangers Women kicks off at 7pm at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie. See you there!
Where to Watch
Tonight’s massive Glasgow Derby is live on Sky Sports, the last one at the end of March was the first shown live by the broadcaster and attracted an audience of over 100,000. There’s no truth in the rumour that the game was later repeated on the Boxing channel.
Media Conferences
The Celtic Star opened the questions at the two media conferences held earlier this week ahead of tonight’s hugely important Glasgow Derby match in the SWPL1. We spoke to Caitlin Hayes first and then Fran Alonso and you can catch up with these interviews below…
Let’s do this Ghirls! COYGIG….
