Easily the most important Celtic match of this weekend takes place at Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh this afternoon as Fran Alonso’s Celtic FC Women are the first of the three title contenders in action this afternoon in the penultimate round of SWPL1 fixtures.
Hibs v Celtic gets the ball rolling before the Hearts v theRangers match and then the afternoon is rounded off by current leaders Glasgow City – they have a two points lead over the other two sides – playing Partick Thistle. All three title challenges know that they must win but the goal difference situation, especially between Celtic and theRangers (it’s currently +4 in Celtic’s favour).
But before the goal difference is the focus the points need to be won and there is a real possibility today that one of the three might slip up. Celtic go into the match on a high after that memorable night on Thursday at Paradise but the victory was costly in terms of injuries picked up.
Hearts are the best of the rest and he already drawn with theRangers in the split. This one could be impacted by the earlier result in the Hibs v Celtic match but theRangers will start knowing the result of that game and if Celtic have won, they will know the goal difference situation that they will have to aim for.
Glasgow City and Partick Thistle both play their home games at Petershill Park and City could be in knocked off the top of the table by Celtic by the time they kick-off. So it’s all to play for in what is going to be a dramatic day in the SWPL1. Full schedule details below..
Celtic Team News
Celtic manager Fran Alonso does not have his troubles to seek when it comes to the current injury situation, in fact he’s going to Edinburgh today pretty much running on empty as far as the fit and available players in his squad are concerned.
On Thursday night Lisa Robertson went off with a head-knock and concussion protocols will rule her out today. Hana Kerner also picked up what looked like a significant injury in midweek and barring a miracle, she’s going to be a huge loss for the remaining matches. Meanwhile The Celtic Star had a chat with Liv Chance on Thursday night and she confirmed that she is working towards a return for the Women’s Scottish Cup Final at Hampden against theRangers a fortnight today.
So Fran Alonso will have to look to his squad but today’s will be far from his strongest possible side had everyone been available.
Predicted Celtic Team
Fran Alonso’s options are limited in this must win match. The need for goals will have to be balanced by the lack of fit midfielders and the goal machine Tash Flint could play deeper than her usual centre-forward role, allowing Kit Loferski to play up top. Tegan Bowie is the likely replacement for Hana Kerner.
The Celtic FC women side this afternoon could look something like this…
Tajonar, Hayes, Clark and O’Riordan; Bowie, Flint, Shen and Menglu; Gallacher, Loferski and Jacynta
Subs: Logan, Craig, Otto, McAneny, Fergusson, Bowie and Goldie.
Match Officials
The Scottish FA have appointed Colin Whyte as today’s referee for the Hibs v Celtic SWPL1 match at Meadowbank. Whyte will be assisted by Andrew Brown and Dale Kerr while the Fourth Official will be Rhys Struthers.
Kick-off Time
The Hibs v Celtic SWPL1 match takes place at Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh this afternoon with an early kick-off time of 1.10pm.
Ticket Information
Ordering online is easy and you use your phone to gain admission. Ticket prices as Adults: £8, Concessions (Under 16/ Over 65): £4 and there is a Family Ticket (Admits two adults and two concessions) available for £16. If you are coming along, we’ll be there to give the Ghirls a Cheer so we’ll see you at the game! Tickets can be purchased HERE.
Where to Watch
If you can’t make it along to Meadowbank today then the game is live on BBC Alba.
Celtic’s Content Creators
While The Celtic Star has been enthusiast supporters of Fran Alonso’s Celtic FC Women’s team for the past three seasons, covering every single match and building up the awareness and hopefully the enthusiasm for the team that could win the league for the first time next Sunday and the Scottish Cup seven days later, sadly we hadn’t done enough so weren’t invited along to the club’s Content Creators event on Thursday night.
Many members of Celtic fan media – who have actually never covered any Celtic FC Women’s football before – were given the VIP treatment with a champagne reception, full hospitality in the Sky Box overlooking the pitch at the top of the Main Stand, an incredible privilege for the Celtic supporters in attendance from the Celtic fan media.
There’s a great video of this that can be viewed below. Everyone invited seemed to have had a great time and that’s certainly some way to watch you first ever women’s game is it not?
Need to dash, we’re off soon to Meadowbank for some content creating of our own to support Fran Alonso’s team and to report back later on The Celtic Star.
A Club Like No Other.
COYGIG