Hello Ghirls, we’re back!…
Did you enjoy the football last night? The warm-up act was the comedy club losing in Cyprus before the big match on Sky Sports where Fran Alonso’s Celtic side took on the current SWPL Champions Glasgow City knowing that a win would take Celtic to the top of the league looking down on theRangers Women, who had played one game more before last night, as they weren’t involved in the Champions League this season.
READ THIS…Angry Bears everywhere in Limassol last night
For the previous three seasons The Celtic Star has provided extensive coverage of the Celtic Women’s side but have been unable to do so this season for various reasons which remain unresolved. We’ve written about that previously but in the meantime or indeed assuming it’s never going to be sorted, we’re going to resume coverage without any cooperation from Celtic’s PR department, who we get on fine with regarding first team matters.
Fran Alonso values The Celtic Star coverage and the Celtic FC Women manager has been frustrated at the lack of coverage on the site that has given his team greater support than any other media since he arrived at the club.
This season there’s not been the usual media conferences for the women’s team, instead Celtic’s in-house media has been doing the various videos and interviews around matches – and so far the team has delivered on the park with a 100% record that was extended last night with the 2-1 win over Glasgow City.
The Celtic Star wasn’t invited to the pre-match media conferences with Fran Alonso and Caitlin Hayes, which is fine, message received loud and clear. So we had a decision to make, bin the coverage for good or look at doing it independently which is probably what we should have done earlier in the summer rather than give the courtesies that we did, acting in a professional manner at all times.
So to last night.
The SWPL can be summarised as follows. There are three teams capable of winning the title and indeed going through an entire campaign without dropping any points at all against any of the other sides. Indeed eight games in that’s the case with all three enjoying 100% records in games against the other nine sides.
That’s not to say that points won’t be dropped against other sides because it will happen and the consequences can be dire, perhaps more so that in the men’s game where for example Celtic dropped two points against St Johnstone earlier in the season. The consequences of a similar result happening to the women’s team runs a greater risk of costing them the title.
Glasgow City had drawn 1-1 with theRangers in the only meeting so far between the top three, a result that suited Celtic more than the two sides playing. And last night a similar score would have suited theRangers in the same way.
It was goalless at Airdrie at the interval in what was a cagey encounter, with both sides appreciating the significance of the match. Glasgow City had until recently proved themselves a very tough nut for Celtic to crack, especially in league matches, but that changes in the second half of last season. Still they were able to steal the title in stoppage time when theRangers somehow forgot to leave any defenders to defend and in doing so surrendered a goal and changed the direction of the taxi taking the SWPL trophy to Celtic Park and instead it headed to Govan. Let we forget.
The current Celtic team is much changed since last season but the hunger is still there within this season’s Celtic team to win the SWPL title for the first time ever. The stalemate was eventually broken when Celtic’s pacy American striker Kit Loferski broke into the penalty area and was desperately hauled down from behind by Scotland youth international Kenzie Weir who could have no complaints about the red card.
Celtic warrior Chloe Craig made no mistake finding the bottom corner of Glasgow City net with a well struck penalty kick and with the lead and an extra-player advantage that should have been that.
🗣️ “With twenty minutes to go, Celtic have the edge in this crucial match!”
Celtic are 1-0 up after Glasgow City’s Weir is sent off for a foul in the box. What do you think of the decision? 🔽 pic.twitter.com/OoPwYrNTVh
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 5, 2023
However Lauren Davidson, the player who broke Celtic hearts in that stoppage time drama back in May, caused Celtic more concern last night when se broke into the box and her cross was deflected off Celtic captain Kelly Clark to level the match in the closing stages.
🗣️ “It’s an own goal, but Glasgow City have found a way back into this game!”
Glasgow City have equalised and made it 1-1! Watch the final stages of the game live on Sky 📺 pic.twitter.com/xGnpsT5gfd
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 5, 2023
But in true Celtic fashion a winner was chased down and duly arrived with 89 minutes on the clock and this time it was Colette Cavanagh, surely the signing of the season and back at Celtic for her THIRD stint wearing the Hoops, who collected a headed clearance on the edge of the City penalty area before volleying into the bottom corner of the net to secure the three points.
🗣️ “What an outstanding finish!”
Celtic are 2-1 up through a late goal from Cavanagh 🔽 pic.twitter.com/dM2djRj07r
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 5, 2023
Seven minutes of added time were negotiated professionally and Celtic were top to the league looking down on theRangers.
🗣️ “It is all over and Celtic maintain their 100% start to the @SWPL season.”
Celtic were 2-1 winners against Glasgow City in a game full of late drama. Post-match reaction is live on Sky now 📺 pic.twitter.com/KpYrmTCkhP
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 5, 2023
The Celtic Star’s Player of the Match – Colette Cavanagh
Next Up for the Hoops – Motherwell are the visitors to the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie on Sunday afternoon (8 October) with the SWPL match kicking off at 2pm with doors opening at 1.30pm. Tickets are £8 for adults and £4 for U16 from https://embed.futureticketing.ie/c/airdrieonians/
Celtic’s two goal scorers talk to Sky Sports after the 2-1 win over Glasgow City…
🗣️ “That was a rollercoaster of emotions…I’ve never actually scored a winner so I’m buzzing!”
Celtic goal scorers Cavanagh and Craig spoke to Sky Sports after their sides 2-1 win over Glasgow City 🔽 pic.twitter.com/fg2Hkfmlnz
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 5, 2023
Fran Alonso’s post match reaction on Sky Sports…
🗣️ “We never give up, we want to win every single game and a draw is never good enough for us!”
Celtic manager Fran Alonso reflects on his sides 2-1 victory tonight and the strength in mentality within his squad 🔽 pic.twitter.com/KA5qTygC3N
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 5, 2023
And here’s how the SWPL table looks at the moment…
TABLE | Here’s the updated @ScottishPower Women’s Premier League standings ⬇@CelticFCWomen move to the top of the table and remain the only side with a 100% record 🔝💯 pic.twitter.com/9nm4KPeR7H
— Scottish Women’s Premier League (@SWPL) October 5, 2023
Join The Celtic Star at the Kerrydale on Thursday 19 October when we celebrate the launch of Matt Corr’s new book Majic, Stan and the King of Japan which tells the story of Gordon Strachan’s first season as Celtic manager. We’ll have the trophies that the Celtic team won that season plus well delighted welcome our special guests John Hartson and Stephen McManus, both stars of that Celtic team.
And we have other guests to be announced later this week plus there’s live music from the wonderful Boolavogue. Tickets are selling fast for what is sure to be a wonderful night of Celtic conversation and music and you can order below…
