This Sunday, the SWPL and Celtic FC Women are back after the international break. The Ghirls go head-to-head with Spartans for our final home game of 2023, with seven Celts returning from international action.
Celtic last played Spartans at their home ground in Edinburgh back in August. We brought all three points back to Glasgow after a decisive 5-0 victory. Shen Menglu, Chloe Craig, Amy Gallacher, Caitlin Hayes, and Clare Goldie all added a goal to their tally.
Spartans have lost all of their last five league games, scoring seven goals but conceding 15.
Although it isn’t looking good for them, Spartans will be praying for some luck as a point could move them further away from the relegation zone. Currently, Montrose are behind them by two points, whilst Dundee United are ahead by two. Montrose and Dundee face each other on the same day, so if Celtic do push Spartans aside, Montrose would overtake them by one point.
Fran Alonso shouldn’t have many selection dilemmas going into this clash – as the only first-team player still out is Kit Loferski, who recently won the November goal of the month. As mentioned by Alonso in the press conference before the Aberdeen match, Loferski will be out of action until our first cup game in January.
Celtic FC Women will also be supporting the Rainbow Laces campaign this Sunday. The campaign has helped acceptance of LGBTQ+ people in the sport community, and the Hoops will show their backing against Spartans with a rainbow captain’s armband.
Finally, I should hang my head in shame after my awful score prediction for our game against Aberdeen (3-1), but I’m going to give it another shot. Celtic FC Women 8, Spartans 0.
Let’s hope I’ll be right this time around, as the Ghirls are determined to end the year with a bang. Maria McAneny spoke to Celtic TV about the match. She said: “We’ve got two games left, so hopefully we can just get these two games done and dusted with two wins, and then we can go into the break.
“It’s our last home game of the year at Airdrie, and we want to go out with a bang. So that is the aim and hopefully we can do that on Saturday.”
So, head down to the Excelsior this Sunday to back the Ghirls at home for the last time this year. The game kicks off at 2pm and tickets are available to buy online now. Sadly, the game will not be available to watch online.
Best of luck Ghirls.
Jessica Elliott
🏳️🌈 We’re proud to support @StonewallScot‘s #RainbowLaces campaign.
Our Club captains will wear the rainbow armband during this weekend’s fixtures 🌈
Lace up to #KeepItUp 💚#CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/TEwfCEInVa
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) December 8, 2023
