Beautiful Sunday’s Honest Mistake: “I’ve kicked that ball and he’s blown the whistle after which is really frustrating,” Jodie Bartle

Celtic defender Jodie Bartle heard the referee’s whistle AFTER she had netted what would have been her first goal for the club and a dramatic late winner against theRangers at their Training Centre on Sunday.

The referee decided to rule out the goal and instead award a penalty kick to Celtic. It seems that Honest Mistakes aren’t restricted to the men’s game when it comes to Sunday’s hosts. It was however a case of all’s well that ends well when Summer Green stepped forward to smash the winner into theRangers net, amid wild celebrations from her teammates.

“I’m sure that I’ve kicked that ball and he’s blown the whistle after which is really frustrating for me, but the fact the penalty was fantastically taken makes it easier to take,” Jodie told the official Celtic FC Women website. “if it wasn’t scored it might have been a bit more gutting, and I really, really do wish I could’ve taken the goal, but it’s more important that we’ve got the three points.”

Bartle appreciates the magnitude of Celtic picking up the three points on Sunday to leapfrog theRangers in the league table. A second defeat of the season after losing away to Champions Glasgow City on the opening day, would have left Celtic trailing by six points.

Over 10,000 supporters have already watched these joyous highlights on the club’s You Tube channel, so if you’ve not seen it yet, check it out below.

Now after the “Beautiful Sunday” win Celtic are right back in the mix at the top of the table as they prepare for Friday night’s visit to Ainslie Park to face Hibernian. That game kicks off at 7:35pm and is being shown live on BBC Alba, so no excuses for missing this one.

Celtic’s start to the season could not have been any tougher. One home game against a very good Spartans side and three away games against the Champions Glasgow City, major rivals theRangers and nearly promoted Hearts – again it seems that the Women’s team are getting no favours but a win against Hibs will see Celtic sitting pretty with 12 points from 15 and with all the major rivals having been played away from home.

Looking back to Beautiful Sunday Jodie Bartle talked up the teamwork and the role that tee backroom staff played. “As a back four we performed so, so well and the amount we prepared for it during the week meant we were ready for the type of movement they had.

“The coaches and the manager did their job in preparations and research and that helped us so much. Our communication was on point with each other and our midfielders, but the preparations through the week really shone and defensively, I think we were sound.

Jodie Bartle in action on Beautiful Sunday win over theRangers

“Everyone played out of their skin; Caitlin (Hayes) got her head on absolutely everything, Chloe (Warrington) was under pressure all the time but we were constantly solid.

“Chloe Logan was just awesome – I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player like that. Some of the saves she pulled off were amazing – there were two in particular, but with one I remember just going over and hugging her because it was just phenomenal. Even in training she’s gone up a level in the past couple of weeks.”

The English woman, who arrived at Celtic in February has experienced derby matches against the Champions but recognised that playing against theRangers is something entirely different. Welcome to Glasgow Jodie!

“I could feel the difference (on Sunday), there was so much more behind it than the previous derbies against Glasgow City, but you could feel the emotions – tackles were a little harder and people were just a little fiercer.

“In the first half when we had the goal-line scramble and everyone was throwing themselves in front of the ball, it was then that I personally felt we had it and it was our game to win. Some games you need a bit of luck and the rub of the green and we just persevered and got the three points.

“It’s so frustrating that we didn’t have the fans, because these are the best times to have them in, but we definitely made our own atmosphere and I love those sort of games.

“Fran (Alonso) always says to believe and we did that – it shows our strength and resilience as a team that we will play until the last minute,” Jodie added.

Attention has already turned to the game against Hibs.“It’s a quick turnaround but the atmosphere at training has been great. I don’t think I’ve ever known everyone to be so happy but we’ll hit the ground running for Hibs now,” Jodie added.

Remember Hibs v Celtic is live on BBC Alba on Friday evening, kick-off time is 7.35pm.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

Comments are closed.