It’s a case of ‘After the Lord Mayor’s show comes the dust-cart’ as Celtic return to the familiar surroundings of K-Park East Kilbride this afternoon for their SWPL1 encounter with Hibs, still brimming with confidence no doubt following the incredible Mariah Lee inspired Glasgow Derby win against theRangers at Celtic Park on Wednesday night.
Where the surroundings of Paradise are bound to inspire any player, it’s fair to say the patchy carpet and exposed to the elements nature of K-Park may not lift the players in quite the same way. Then again, the same could be said of the opposition so hopefully Celtic will maintain some kind of an advantage, knowing their surroundings as they do, so as to eke out an advantage over a very capable opposition in a game live on BBC Alba with a 4.10pm kick off.
If the last encounter between the sides is anything to go by today’s game should be a cracker. Last time out Celtic were 5-1 up at half time before winning the game 6-2. Check out our match report from that Friday night game back in November – a match we covered extensively as is the case with all the games this season in the SWPL1 played by CELTIC FC Women.
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This was a match where Head Coach Fran Alonso and indeed many of the players felt their first half performance wasn’t up to spec. Oh for some of those standards to be exhibited by the men’s team!
Celtic’s midweek win over theRangers pulled the Celts back into the race for Champions League qualification and gives hope that a league title challenge is back on, however to maintain that challenge it’s safe to say three points this afternoon is essential to continue the momentum gained following that Derby victory at Celtic Park.
Today’s opponents have traditionally played a high pressing game on the opposition and adopted a high defensive line. As such you could argue the pace of Wednesdays match winner Mariah Lee playing on the shoulder of the last defender and running into space could well come into the reckoning when Fran Alonso chooses his starting eleven today. Yet a note of caution may come from Hibs previous two encounters where a change of tack seems to have occurred.
Game day 🤩🍀💚
4:10pm KO⏱
Live on BBC Alba📺 pic.twitter.com/CzoGBXAxQR— Anna Filbey (@Anna_Filbey99) April 25, 2021
Having lost narrowly to theRangers 1-0, Hibs led against Glasgow City before going down 2-1 to a disputed late penalty. In both games Hibs were as competitive as you’d expect of today’s opponents but on both occasions the Hibees adopted a low block approach against their Glasgow opposition and it may well be those tactics will continue today.
It will be a tough call for Fran Alonso to second guess Hibs coach Dean Gibson, given the change was likely due to the standard of opposition he was facing and given there is a certain pressure, much like at Celtic, to play with an attacking style when you are a coach for a traditionally attacking side such as Hibs.
It would of course be nice to see an open and offensive formation from two of the most entertaining sides in the league, but points win prizes as they say. We’ll have to wait and see if Gibson is willing to send Hibs out to set up defensively for what would be a third game in a row and where no points have been gained from their change in style.
Whatever approach Celtic take they will need to be aware of a side comfortable in possession and with forwards with no shortage of pace, as such it would be good to see Celtic maintain the defensive line-up from Wednesday, with perhaps Chloe Craig and Jodie Bartle swapping roles.
Caitlin Hayes has been superb at the back and Chloe Warrington – still without a professional contract – is performing superbly at left back. Lisa Robertson with Anna Filbey alongside have brought a balance to the double pivot in midfield with Robertson comfortable on her left foot and Filbey right footed, and whilst Robertson covers defensively extraordinarily well there is more licence for Filbey to advance into attacking areas, giving the opposition defence something more to consider and cover freeing up more space for Celtic’s attacking options.
The surprise inclusion of Keeva Keenan – who was superb – in the midfield on Wednesday night was more likely down to Jacynta’s niggling injury and Celtic being aware they were facing an opponent they’d have to match physically, at least in the early stages. However, against Hibs Celtic’s entertaining wide player may well return, whilst Rachel Donaldson has come on leaps and bounds this season and Sarah Ewens is almost a guarantee of at least a goal week in week out.
The big decision this week will be whether Sarah Teegarden starts for against Hibs. Celtic’s main creator has been in wonderful form but it should be noted Teegarden is also coming back from a long-term injury and any fatigue, particularly after playing on that huge Celtic Park pitch, will need to be taken into account, especially returning to a surface at K-Park where getting purchase when attempting to twist and turn can be difficult.
It’s fair to say both the opposition’s approach to this afternoon’s game and the amount of football his side are having to play after such a long layoff will impact on Fran Alonso’s team line-up this afternoon. However, he will also be acutely aware of the momentum the side have built up through consistent team selection and reverting to a stable back four, as such it may well be the attacking options will see some rotation and the defensive five, including the solidity offered by goalkeeper Chloe Logan, and the two deeper lying midfielders will remain in place.
One thing is certain, this Celtic side will bring a strong team spirit, organisation, confidence and momentum into this afternoon’s encounter with their talented and dangerous Edinburgh opponents. It will then be down to Fran Alonso to ensure there is no ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’ come kick off this afternoon.
Celtic vs Hibernian is live on BBC Alba with a 4.10pm Kick Off. If it is anything like the last encounter between the sides you will not be disappointed.
COYGIG!
Niall J
The Celtic Star’s Match Report will be published shortly after the final whistle and we’ll have all the post-match reaction and interviews available to bring to you…
Back in action this evening as we look to top off a strong week so far!
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#⃣CELHIBS#COYGIG #EveryGameMatters 🍀 pic.twitter.com/BtNWhZULn4— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) April 25, 2021
