The SWPL has announced the live broadcast matches that will be shown on BBC Alba or BBC Sport Scotland up until just before the league’s first ever split with four matches being shown featuring Fran Alonso’s title challenging Celtic FC Women side.
And within the release of these broadcast details we learn that the Glasgow Derby match against theRangers, Initially scheduled for League Cup Final Day on Sunday 26 February has been moved forward to Friday 24 February. Hopefully Celtic are looking at moving this crucial match to Celtic Park!
The club were happy enough for Celtic FC Women to play theRangers at Celtic during the Covid season – when only selected fan media were allowed entry (ie not the one that actually covers the women’s team week in week out) – so why not do the same thing and invite along all the season ticket holders, many of whom will be disappointed to miss out on getting a ticket for the League Cup Final against theRangers a few days later?
If Celtic want to grow the women’s team then this is exactly the kind of meaningful match that can make a huge difference, just like the Celtic B team’s match against theRangers just before Hogmanay which produced the desired result in terms of attendance numbers and final score.
Conversely if Celtic don’t give Fran Alonso and his players the chance to perform in their biggest match of the season at Celtic Park then conclusions can be drawn on Celtic’s ambitions to take the club’s participation to another level. Celtic FC have never been Scottish Champions in the Women’s game and these days there is significant financial advantage from playing as Champions in the Women’s Champions League.
Celtic can create a significant advantage for the team by moving this game to Celtic Park and opening it up to season ticket holders. We’ll be asking Fran Alonso for his thoughts on this at tomorrow’s Media Conference against this Sunday’s difficult away match in the SWPL1 against Hearts.
The SWPL1 games that will be shown live on BBC Alba or on BBC Sport Scotland are as follows:
theRangers v Glasgow City – Sunday 29 January – BBC Alba
Hearts v CELTIC – Sunday 29 January – BBC Sport Scotland
CELTIC v Aberdeen – Sunday 5 February – BBC Alba
Glasgow City v Partick Thistle – Sunday 5 February – BBC Sport Scotland
theRangers v Hibs – Thursday 9 February – BBC Alba
CELTIC v theRangers – Friday 24 February – BBC Alba
Hearts v Hibs – Sunday 26 February – BBC Alba
Aberdeen v Glasgow City – Sunday 26 February – BBC Sport Scotland
Glasgow City v Motherwell – Wednesday 1 March – BBC Alba
CELTIC v Glasgow City – Sunday 5 March – BBC Alba
Spartans v theRangers – Sunday 5 March – BBC Alba
The final round of matches before the split is on Sunday 12 March as the SWPL approaches a critical point in the race for the title, UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification, top-six, and to avoid relegation.
SWPL Managing Director, Fiona McIntyre today said: “We’re pleased to confirm these matches as our broadcast partners continue to showcase the drama and excitement that the SWPL provides.
“With the addition of the split after 22 rounds, there is plenty to play for as clubs at both ends of the table seek to gain an advantage at this critical point in the season. I have no doubt this additional excitement and drama will help drive further visibility and coverage for the league as a whole.”
BBC ALBA Sport Executive Producer, Fiona MacKenzie, added: “BBC ALBA is delighted to offer sustained coverage of the SWPL bringing top women’s football fixtures to our audience and continue our support of the women’s game in Scotland.”
BBC Sport Producer, Douglas McNeil, said: “We are looking forward to covering live SWPL matches on BBC Sport Scotland and BBCiPlayer, plus our weekly Monday highlights programme on BBC Scotland. We are delighted to show exciting matches on a free-to-air platform to ensure the sport, and the players, connect with the widest possible audience.”
📅 Our upcoming match against Rangers has been brought forward to Friday 24th February. Further details TBC.
🗓 24th February
🕖 7pm
🏟 Excelsior Stadium#COYGIG 🍀 #CelticFC pic.twitter.com/Ko7JhRWB1I— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) January 26, 2023
