Celtic FC Women defeated Motherwell 5-1 last night at the Excelsior Stadium, with Saoirse Noonan, Lucy Ashworth-Clifford, Amy Gallacher, Murphy Agnew and Maria McAneny all getting their names on the scoresheet.
Here are some post-match thoughts from our strong performance…
1. Craigy doing what Craigy does best
Chloe Craig, again, started last night and I think she did brilliantly. She was picking her passes well, covering defensive positions that needed it and pressing the attackers well whenever Motherwell got a chance.
For the visitor’s goal, I think she did everything that could have been asked of her. Caitlin Hayes was caught out of position and that allowed them to break. She had to cover two positions and she did it to the best of her ability, so I was actually quite impressed by her attempt to prevent the goal.
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She cut off their passing lanes well, positioning herself in the centre of our box to ensure that any attacker forced to the edge of the pitch had no other option than to basically play it directly to Craig’s feet.
She also chose the right times to pass it short and to clear it when required. She took it down well when asked to and looked good with the ball at her feet. No complaints from me this week regarding her and I’d be over the moon to see her start again against Aberdeen on Sunday as Celtic chases down the three points and a good few goals.
Tadhal do Tobar na Màthar! Morgan Cross a’ faighinn tadhal air ais!⚽️
Cross gets one back for Motherwell! pic.twitter.com/WGmMOQ45UT
— BBC ALBA (@bbcalba) August 21, 2024
Not too sure that our editor was too please about losing that goal as he had predicted a 5-0 Celtic win on The Celtic Star yesterday!
2. Experimental back-line
Elena Sadiku made the decision to drop Kelly Clark to the bench and I think that was a good decision. Not because of anything to do with the captain herself, but because I think we need to be confident when she isn’t there.
When she is on the pitch, Kelly is a leader and truly dictates how our back-line plays. Last night, I thought we looked a bit shaky at times, but that’s part of the process. If Clark were to play week in week out and she was to get injured right before a game, that shakiness would be a possibility going into that tie. It’s better to get it out of the way now and experiment with Hayes being given the captain’s armband than to be forced into the experiment.
Plus, I was pleased to see Bruna return to the line-up, however, I do believe that Bruna looked a bit off the mark at times. Whether that’s because of the weather or the fact she didn’t play against City is up for debate, but that takes me into…
3. Elena’s strongest 11
I think the manager desperately needs to settle on her strongest team. I know that having options is undoubtedly a good thing, but the unrest isn’t.
The shakiness certainly could’ve been caused by this constant switching around because again, this was a very different team from the one that faced City. To have that much change in just a few days can only go one way or the other.
And again, I think Signe and Mathilde Carstens showcased their ability against Motherwell and honestly think they should’ve been started against City. They’re the type of players who can seriously threaten a good side and I think they’ll be big assets in Europe if we choose to start them.
Speaking of Europe, I hope that we settle on that strongest team by September because the Champions League will demand it. I would hate to see the Ghirls get sent home early just because we look off it.
Full faith in the manager – I just hope she can have full faith in her selection.
4. Murphy Agnew’s impact
Murphy Agnew was brought on as a 55th-minute substitute for Saoirse Noonan. Noonan didn’t really get much out of the game, despite getting a goal, as she wasn’t getting involved in play as much as Elena would’ve liked to see.
Agnew changed that when she came on. Of course, she bagged a goal for herself, but she was getting in the right positions to cause the opposition a headache. Noonan was being easily cut out from her teammates but the American was ensuring that she couldn’t be. Her pace makes her dangerous, and Motherwell really couldn’t handle her.
I thought she was one of our standout performers last season and I think she will be again come the end of this campaign. We’re well underway now and she’s impressed me so far, so hopefully Elena sees it the same way and she can potentially get the nod up front on Sunday.
5. Lucy Ashworth-Clifford’s striking performance
What a player LAC is. Since coming back from her horrible injury, she has stood out in a Celtic shirt and has quickly become one of the most important players in the squad.
She is only contracted until the end of the season but I sincerely hope that we can keep her tied down for longer. She seems to be enjoying her football with the Celts so hopefully, her performances can convince her that Scotland is the right place to play her football.
Fhuair sinn facal leis ar sàr-chluicheadair a’ gheam, Lucy Ashword-Clifford!
Player of the game, Lucy Ashword-Clifford! pic.twitter.com/WaO7KrDwM8
— BBC ALBA (@bbcalba) August 21, 2024
Unique Angle
If you missed the game last night, here’s Celtic TV’s brilliant Unique Angle. Which goal is your favourite?
Jessica Elliott
Great analysis, great game apart from a wee stutter mid way through the 2nd half. We did miss Kelly C though. Anyone who thinks women’s football is “inferior” should watch this team then try some of the Friday night lower leagues offerings. The women are more skilful.