There is an absolutely massive game tonight in SWPL1, one not to be missed and unlike last night it’s live on TV or if you are in or around Glasgow you can get along to the enjoy the game and hopefully cheer Celtic on to three vital points.
Celtic FC Women head to Petershill Park to face 14-in-a-row league champions Glasgow City with little margin for error in a three-way title race that looks very much like it could be decided on who emerges best on head-to-head encounters.
Fran Alonso’s Celtic head into this game playing catch-up but are only two points behind second placed City and a win would allow Celtic to leapfrog City, who lost 3-1 to league leaders theRangers at the weekend, and would cut the gap on the leaders to just four points.
Fran Alonso, speaking to celticfc.com knows his side is in for a tough encounter but he believes controlling ‘the little details’ can see Celtic emerge with a vital win.
“It will be a very, very hard game. In my opinion we are still facing the best team in the country and I think they will be hurt after their last performance but that can make them more dangerous.
“Last year they lost heavily to (the)Rangers and in the Champions League but they came back and won the league so I know they are used to winning. They have a strong mentality and a very experienced and knowledgeable coach and I expect a very hard game.
“They will be up for it but so are we, so I think it’ll be a very even game, but hopefully we control the little details more and we can get the three points because it’s a must-win game for both sides.”
And the Boss believes Celtic’s form is strong and the depth of squad has played an important part in terms of both recent results and performances.
“Our depth of squad is very important, We always reward training and players go through different spells of form throughout the season which is normal, and our form has been very good, not only in terms of results, but our performances and clean-sheets and I’m pleased with how we have been in the last few games.
“I’m expecting another strong performance. It’ll be a battle on a small pitch that doesn’t really suit our style but I hope it’s a very exciting game and I hope it’s a Celtic win.”
City have had a stuttering return to action after the winter break, however by anyone’s standards they remain the best team in Scotland. Yet Celtic should hold no fears as they head into this one after all the Hoops performed brilliantly to win the League Cup against the same opposition in December.
That win – and Celtic’s first silverware in a decade – was a monkey off the back for Fran Alonso and his players, as they not only emerged with brilliant 1-0 to win the trophy, they also controlled huge swathes of the game and will surely be brimming in confidence going into this hugely important game.
Celtic head into this one in top form since the winter break, having been unlucky to drop points with a late concession to Hibs, Celtic have since scored 12 past Edinburgh City in the Scottish Cup, seven past Partick Thistle and scored three without reply to defeat Hamilton Accies, before defeating Spartans 2-0 at the weekend in a game Fran Alonso was able to rotate his squad to ensure key players are fresh.
Celtic were missing their main creative force in Olivia Chance and top goalscorer Charlie Wellings at the weekend due to injury, however both players omission from the line-up for the Spartans encounter appears to have been a precautionary measure and it is hoped both players will return to the line-up for this evening’s game with City. The inclusion of both would be a boost for Celtic and a concern for our opponents.
You can pay at the gate this evening at Petershill Park if you fancy going along to cheer on the Hoops, otherwise the match is live on BBC Alba and the BBC Sport website – Kick-off is at 7.40pm.
If Celtic win this one it puts the Hoops in the driving seat for the second Champions League qualifying place but it would also blow the title race wide open.
COYGIG
Niall J
🍀 A huge game for @CelticFCWomen tonight as they take on Glasgow City at Petershill Park.
Get down and support the Ghirls if you can! 🙌
𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝑮𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒍𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏! 🟢⚪️
ℹ️ Kick-off time has been revised to 7.35pm. https://t.co/Ye94mW2zy2
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) February 10, 2022
🗣️ “Any team in this league we know we can beat. We have that confidence about ourselves but luckily not arrogance.”@CelticFCWomen star Caitlin Hayes looks ahead to #CITYCEL in our 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰#CITYCEL | #COYGIG | #SWPL1 pic.twitter.com/AuKGVXpKiY
— Celtic TV (@CelticTV) February 10, 2022
