Highs and lows for Celtic Ghirls while on international duty…
“Our love was on the wing we had dreams and songs to sing! 6 out of 6, let the people sing,” Caitlin Hayes tweeted after scoring in Ireland’s 6-1 skelping of Northern Ireland last night…
A number of our Ghirls have been away on international duty, with domestic football returning this weekend. Let’s see how our Celtic FC Women players fared for their national sides in this international break…
Colette Cavanagh, Rachael Johnstone, and Jenny Smith – Scotland U23s
Last Friday, Scotland Women’s Under-23s took on The Netherlands in Spain. Colette and Jenny both took their place in the starting line-up, with Johnstone coming off the bench for the final 30 minutes of the game.
Scotland took the lead through an own goal early in the game, but the Netherlands fought their way back into the game and held a 3-1 lead come the final whistle. Despite the result, the girls put in a solid performance against a difficult opponent.
Imane Addi – Morocco
Morocco went head-to-head with Uganda, with Addi winning herself another cap for the senior team. Morocco went 1-0 down at half-time before managing to rescue a draw with a 64th minute goal. They then played Uganda again on Tuesday, and Addi’s name was in the starting line-up. Although she didn’t score, her side came out on top this time around with a 3-0 victory.
Amy Gallacher – Scotland
🗣️ “I just want to improve and learn as much as I can.”
From first call-up feelings to settling into the squad, hear from @amygallacherr on her first week in the senior Scotland camp.#SWNT pic.twitter.com/2ktUurJA9M
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) September 22, 2023
Gallacher was a 69th minute substitute in Scotland’s 1-1 draw against Belgium last Friday. Scotland held a lot of the possession in the early stages but were opened up on the half hour mark when Belgium opened the scoring. Three minutes later, Erin Cuthbert levelled for the visitors with a brilliant effort from 25 yards out.
Amy Gallacher was brought on late in the game as the Scots searched for a winner. She was presented with an early chance but could only put it wide. The draw saw Scotland relegated to the UEFA Women’s Nations League B. Gallacher wasn’t named in the starting line-up or on the bench for Scotland’s game against England, which ended in a 6-0 defeat at Hampden.
Caitlin Hayes – Ireland
Hayes was named in the starting line-up for Ireland’s game against Hungary on Friday. Ireland fought hard and found an opening goal in the 66th minute when a ball from Heather Payne was put into the back of the Hungary net by one of their own defenders.
Hayes once again took her place in the starting line-up as Ireland took on Northern Ireland. In the 86th minute, Hayes got her name on the scoresheet as she added a sixth goal to Ireland’s dominant 6-1 victory.
🤩 There were two international goals last night as @caitlin5hayes scored for the #IRLWNT against Northern Ireland before @shen_mengyu got her first international goal to put China 1-0 up against the USA! Well in, Ghirls 💚#InternationalCelts 🍀
📸 Ireland/China pic.twitter.com/qIwywIuxLn
— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) December 6, 2023
Shen Mengyu and Shen Menglu – China
Mengyu started in China’s game against the USA, with Menglu coming off the bench. The USA opened the scoring in the 8th minute as Sophia Smith struck home. Lindsey Horan doubled their advantage, before Trinity Rodman added a third.
In the rematch on Wednesday morning, China got off to a much better start as Mengyu scored the opening goal of the game right before half-time. The USA went on to win the game thanks to goals from Sam Coffey and Jaedyn Shaw, but good effort from China nonetheless against a national team ranked third best in the world. Both Mengyu and Menglu started the game.
Spartans on Sunday
The Ghirls get back to domestic football action this Sunday (10 December) with a SWPL1 home match against Spartans at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie (kick-off 2pm). Tickets can be purchased HERE.
Jessica Elliott
🏟🔜 With the final few international matches taking place this evening, the Ghirls will soon be gearing up for a return to action!
Join us this weekend at the Excelsior Stadium for the final time this year, with tickets on sale now 🎟⤵#CELSPA | #SWPL | #COYGIG🍀
— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) December 5, 2023
