When Celtic signed Caitlin Hayes from the English Championship’s Lewes it was an exciting signing for Celtic as the club moved into a full-time professional outfit. Considering Hayes supported the club and had previously played at a high level with Manchester City, Manchester United and Everton it looked like the sort of deal that would ensure stability and a ready-made partner for club legend Kelly Clark at the heart of Celtic’s defence.
Yet it’s fair to say it took a wee while for Hayes to settle into her new surroundings, and there were some performances not in keeping with the reputation that went before Celtic’s centre half. But in truth that was simply a bedding in period. Now Hayes is one of the first names you look for on the team sheet as there is rarely a game where that standard of performance drops below excellent.
The loss of Kelly Clark through injury in recent weeks has seen Fran Alonso shuffle the positioning of his back four, yet Hayes supplies a steady consistency to the defence that allows Alonso the freedom to move the pieces around as we wait for Clark’s return to the team.
On Wednesday night against a team Celtic found themselves tactically surrendering possession to and looking to specific triggers to press, it was always going to be a night whereby organising a low block and ensuring there were few gaps theRangers could play through would be essential to carrying out Fran Alonso’s game plan.
It was a hell of a gamble for any Celtic coach to take, particularly in a Derby game, but it was one Alonso could do so with assurance knowing someone like Hayes could be depended upon to bring both experience and organisation to an under the cosh defence.
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Speaking to the official Celtic FC Women’s website, Hayes is also organising the side’s mentality in the build-up to a Hibs game today that would render the Derby game meaningless if Celtic were to slip up: “I think it’s fair to say our backs were against the wall in both those games in terms of their opportunities but I think it’s credit to our defence and credit to the hard work we’ve put in, not just as a back four but as a full-time in our press and staying calm in our shape and positioning and we just want to reap the rewards of that.
“It would take the shine off the midweek win if we don’t do our jobs properly on Sunday, so it’s another game and hopefully another three points,” Hayes said.
“It was a great opportunity for us to accomplish that dream you have growing up of playing in the big stadiums. It’s where every woman footballer desires to be week in and week out, but when the opportunity does come around you’re just thankful for it.”
Hayes and Celtic now return to the rather less salubrious surroundings of K-Park for this afternoon’s encounter with Hibs, after the experience of playing at Celtic Park in Wednesday’ win over theRangers but it was clear Hayes and her teammates enjoyed the experience, hopefully some common sense can come into play and Celtic don’t simply play at Celtic Park when K-Park is double booked and look to make it a more regular occurrence going forward: “It was a great opportunity for us to accomplish that dream you have growing up of playing in the big stadiums. It’s where every woman footballer desires to be week in and week out, but when the opportunity does come around you’re just thankful for it.
“There’s a certain element that you know the history that comes with that fixture but the three points weigh as heavy as the three points against any other team in the league so it was important we got the job done, but also enjoyed it and seized the moment and enjoyed the occasion it was,” Caitlin added.
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And Caitlin Hayes is very much correct when she points out three points is three points no matter the opposition. You can be certain Celtic’s organisational force in defence will be ensuring that message gets across when Celtic play Hibs this afternoon.
Celtic vs Hibernian is live on BBC Alba this afternoon with a 16.10 Kick Off. It will sure to be an entertaining encounter, if the 6-2 win for the Celts in Edinburgh earlier this season is anything to go by. You won’t regret making the decision to tune in!
Niall J
📈@caitlin5hayes: It would take the shine off the midweek win if we don’t do our jobs properly on Sunday, so it’s another game and hopefully another three points!https://t.co/oujHzk8UPm
— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) April 24, 2021
Back in action this evening as we look to top off a strong week so far!
🆚Hibernian
🏆Scottish Building Society @SWPL 1
🕓4:10pm
📍K-Park Training Academy
🚫Behind closed doors
📺@bbcalba
#⃣CELHIBS#COYGIG #EveryGameMatters 🍀 pic.twitter.com/BtNWhZULn4— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) April 25, 2021
