Fran Alonso’s Celtic FC Women side got the Glasgow Derby weekend party started at the Excelsior Stadium on Friday night with a sensational 3-0 win over theRangers in SWPL1, before Ange Postecoglou’s men’s team followed their lead by lifting Celtic’s first silverware of the season with a 2-1 win over our city rivals at Hampden on Sunday as Celtic retained their Scottish League Cup trophy.
Tonight, Alonso’s team is back in SWPL action for a visit to Hamilton Accies with a four-point lead over theRangers to protect and chasing down a Glasgow City side three points ahead of the Celts at the top of the table following their 7-0 victory over Aberdeen on Sunday.
If Celtic can win this one it will set up an absolute cracker of an encounter between the top two teams in Scotland this season, with Celtic due to welcome City to the Excelsior Stadium on Sunday.
Glasgow City’s impressive win over the Dons at the weekend has seen them also cut the goal difference between the sides to just six, and with City entertaining seventh placed Motherwell this evening – live on BBC Alba – tonight’s fixtures will be as much about the goals scored as the three points on offer for the win, with both teams looking to continue their excellent form ahead of this weekend’s crunch meeting.
Fran Alonso has already stated with Celtic having played three games in the space of a week following Friday night’s derby ‘skelping that the Celtic support should expect to see some rotation of the squad for the clash with Accies, with Caitlin Hayes playing through an injury on Friday, and Liv Chance playing the entire 90 minutes against theRangers despite travelling back from international duty with New Zealand early to ensure she didn’t miss such an important fixture.
And Chance has been speaking to Celtic TV ahead of tonight’s fixture explaining maintaining momentum on the back of the Glasgow Derby win will be key as Celtic look to ensure they maintain their performance levels ahead of a vital week in the SWPL1 title race and a tilt at a first ever league title for our Ghirls.
“It’s about momentum. We want to win the league. That’s pretty simple, so it’s going to be hard work,” Liv Chance said. “We’ve all got our intentions to win the league and I think it’s really about this game (tonight) against Hamilton Accies, it’s important and it’s just about building on what we’ve done,” the Celtic star said.
“They are going to be hard, they are going to be set up well. So they will be difficult to break down. For us, it’s about moving the ball quickly and when we have got opportunities to score, it’s about making sure we put them in the back of the net.”
🗣 “This is an important game and it’s about building momentum now.”
🎙 Liv Chance previews tomorrow’s #SWPL fixture against Hamilton Academical.
#HAMCEL | #COYGIG🍀 pic.twitter.com/B9PMIImi7q— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) February 28, 2023
And that’s a message Fran Alonso has also been reiterating ahead of tonight’s clash with Accies – who lost narrowly to Motherwell in their own derby fixture at the weekend – with Alonso more than willing to acknowledge Celtic’s ‘perfect weekend’ but keen to ensure his team take care of business at New Douglas Park tonight.
“It was a fantastic weekend – the perfect weekend that we all wanted! First of all on Friday, it was a massive result and a great performance in front of a record crowd. It was incredible support from our fans. The feedback was fantastic after the game.
“Obviously, on Sunday we went to watch the first team lift the cup. So it was a fantastic weekend.
“But then it was back to training on Monday morning and it’s a quick turnaround. That’s what happens in football. We’ve got a very important game and we need to be at our best. Hamilton Accies were very good at the weekend, possibly unlucky not to get a point.’
“We know that they can’t be underestimated, despite their position in the table. So it was an amazing weekend, but from Monday we are back in business.”
🗣 “We can’t stop there, we have to carry on working and improving.”
🎙 Fran Alonso spoke to @CelticTV ahead of tomorrow’s game.
#HAMCEL | #SWPL | #COYGIG🍀 pic.twitter.com/9DcTpJQWji— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) February 28, 2023
And Celtic are indeed ‘back in business’ and no doubt walking on air after a resounding win over theRangers on Friday night, and will be keen to ensure the momentum gained from that fantastic win continues with three points against Hamilton tonight and hopefully a good few goals into the bargain.
Tonight’s game is not on TV with Glasgow City’s tie being shown by BBC Alba. However, for those who can get along to New Douglas Park, kick off is 8pm and entry is pay at the gate priced £5 for adults and £2 for concessions. Not a bad price for some midweek football under the lights, I’m sure you’d agree.
And for those planning ahead to Sunday’s top of the table clash with Glasgow City, tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here https://www.celticfc.com/news/2023/february/28/tickets-on-sale-for-top-of-table-clash-against-glasgow-city/ with an adult ticket costing £8, a concession at £4 or a combined child and adult ticket for just a tenner. Perfectly priced again for a family day out and the real chance of Celtic going top of the SWPL1 table with a win.
First up however is a vital game against Accies tonight as Fran Alonso fresh from a tactical masterclass over theRangers looks to mastermind Celtic’s first ever SWPL1 league title on the back of winning the domestic cup double last time out.
It certainly feels like there is momentum gathering behind this increasingly confident Celtic side now. And tonight’s fixture with Hamilton Accies will be a vital step on road to lifting that first ever League title and maybe even adding another Scottish Cup success with the final being played at Hampden. The Ghirls got a taste of what that’s like on Sunday did they not?
COYGIG!
Niall J
💡 Back under the lights! 💡
🏆 SWPL
🆚 Hamilton Academical
🏟 New Douglas Park
🎟 £5/£2 cash PATG
🕗 8pm
📲 Updates on @CelticFCWomen #HAMCEL | #SWPL | #COYGIG pic.twitter.com/JQIW8XVf3p— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) March 1, 2023
🎟 Tickets are now on sale for Sunday’s #SWPL fixture against @GlasgowCityFC.
Be part of the journey in a potential history-making season for #CelticFC Women and play your part this weekend at the Excelsior Stadium! 🏟#CELCIT | #COYGIG🍀
— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) February 28, 2023
