Celtic FC Women were held to a goalless draw at Broadwood by rivals theRangers as the SWPL looks to be going right to the wire. The draw however was more than satisfactory for Celtic as theRangers had to win to effectively keep the destination of the title in their own hands with just three rounds of matches remaining.
The top two remain level on points but Celtic’s goal difference is so much better that even theRangers boss Jo Potter – you just can’t bring herself to say “CELTIC”, reckons it is effectively worth another point.
Here are my thoughts on the goalless draw that sets Celtic up for the remaining three games against Partick Thistle this Sunday at Airdrie, Hearts away next midweek and then Hibs at Celtic Park the following Sunday. Three games, nine points and a first ever title for Celtic FC Women. Delicious.
CELTIC’S FORWARD PLAN
Right off the bat, Murphy Agnew was receiving long balls. Thanks to the forward’s pace, she was able to break through their line and fight for through balls on multiple occasions. Flint was dropping slightly deeper (not as deep as she has been recently though) to receive passes, which she could then dink over the top for Agnew. Agnew was also pressing the opposition really well. They were always under pressure by her which forced them into mistakes.
FRUSTRATION AT FLINT’S FALTERING FINISHING
It was frustrating to see Tash Flint’s chances go by us at Broadwood. We all know the talent that, the Goal Machine’ Tash holds. She was a big part of our title challenge last season and everyone was excited to see her return in the winter window. Footballers aren’t going to score every chance and I hope that supporters aren’t harsh on her for the chance she put wide in the first half.
Admittedly, it was a brilliant chance, and it probably should have been decisive, but she almost made up for it with her other chances. She played really well today, playing Murph in and did well to latch onto balls played to her. She would have scored too if it wasn’t for Victoria Esson pulling out an incredible save to keep her side in the game.
SHEN SO SOLID IN THE CELTIC ENGINE ROOM
Shen was a solid presence in the middle of the park. Whatever she’s been doing in training has certainly been working. Throughout the season, I’ve noticed that people can be quite harsh on her, but I think she’s been proving the doubters wrong against Glasgow City and now theRangers. A top performance in the Celtic midfield for a player now with a hundred appearances for Celtic to her name.
ROSS UP FOR THE BATTLE
Natalie Ross as well in the midfield – utter class. You can tell that these players are desperate to win this league title. Natalie talked a good game ahead of this match and I one of the big voices in the Celtic dressing room. Her confidence and commitment to Celtic’s title winning cause cannot be under-estimated. She’s a battle hardened warrior who has already won the league with Hibs. Players like her will get Celtic across the line.
PEAK BARCLAIS
Recently, Celya Barclais has been absolutely class. She was incredible again against theRangers, picking out passes and getting back to defend. I won’t repeat myself too much as I know I said the same thing about her performance against Glasgow City, but seriously! What a player she is for this Celtic side! Pure class.
LUCY ON SKY, A DIAMOND
Same with Lucy Ashworth-Clifford. Some of the chances she creates are immense and she’s a serious talent on that wing. You can tell that Rangers had a plan to try and keep her quiet. Safe to say, it didn’t quite work as she also possesses the ability to beat her marker.
MORE COMPOSURE, MORE PHYSICAL
I do think that sometimes we could be a bit better on the ball. Sometimes we boot up the park when we’re being pressed in our own half, but I suppose that’s better than losing the ball in our own area if you want to look at it like that. Some more composure wouldn’t hurt though.
ALONSO’S LEGACY
Elena Sadiku deserves tremendous credit for the job she has done since taking over from Fran Alonso in January by driving Celtic towards the title with just three games remaining. That massive goal difference advantage started under Alonso’s guidance started in the first month of the season, in August 2023. Look at these four results shown below in the first month of our SWPL1 campaign… 30 goals scored in four games and a goal difference of plus 29 straight away!
13 August – Montrose 0-9 Celtic FC Women
20 August – Celtic FC Women 7-1 Hamilton
23 August – Spartans 0-5 Celtic FC Women
27 August – Celtic FC Women 9-0 Dundee United
I like how physical we’ve been recently – not shying away from a tackle, etc. It’s what we like to see and although the fourth official was bored at the site of theRangers manager come the end of the game, I think Jo Potter’s side more than made up for our physical presence with some of their own tackles…it was billed as a title deciding Glasgow Derby and the goalless draw suited Celtic so what’s not to like?
Three wins from history.
COYGIG
Jessica Elliott
