The Celtic Star spoke to Celtic FC Women’s current Player of the Year Jacynta yesterday afternoon ahead of tomorrow’s top of the table SWPL1 clash at the Excelsior Stadium where a Celtic win over Glasgow City will see Fran Alonso’s side hit the top spot in the league.
“I am very confident. It’s not going to be an easy game. We know Glasgow City’s strengths so we are not going to take it likely but I am very confident that we can get a result,” Jacynta told The Celtic Star.
That of course happened last Friday night when Celtic had a emphatic 3-0 win over current Champions theRangers, who hadn’t lost in the league for a season and a half, but Glasgow City had their weekend game on Sunday and secured the three points with a win at Aberdeen that took them back into top spot.
Both sides won in midweek and quickly the attention turned to tomorrow’s mouthwatering clash which has a 4.10pm kick-off, so with the Bhoys starting against St Mirren in Paisley at midday, there’s ample opportunity to get yourselves along to Airdrie and roar on the Ghirls as Celtic chase a first ever SWPL1 title.
Here’s how our chat with Jacynta went yesterday and we also feature the other questions asked at the media conference from Celtic Park.
The Celtic Star: It was a fine performance last week against theRangers, did you enjoy that?
Jacynta: “Yes definitely, it was an amazing result for us to get.”
The Celtic Star: We were a bit surprised that you were playing after you were pictured at Borroughmuir (in the Scottish Cup) with a moon-boot on. What was the story there?
Jacynta: “”Yeah, I picked up a little ankle sprain and they put me in a boot as a precaution. It wasn’t anything too serious and the boot seemed to work. I’m not in too much pain anymore and I was fine for the game against (the)Rangers and I am okay now.”
The Celtic Star: “Loved your determination in the game, you picked up a yellow card, that was quite enjoyable!
Jacynta: “Yes when it comes to these games you always want to give 100%, sometimes you get a little too enthusiastic but I always get yellow cards to be fair. Maybe I’ll try not to get one in this game (against Glasgow City). ”
The Celtic Star: Where you at the Cup Final on Sunday?
Jacynta: “Yeah, I went along. It was an amazing game.”
The Celtic Star: What were the Ghirls taking about afterwards, in terms of the atmosphere and maybe you guys maybe being in the Women’s Scottish Cup Final at Hamden this year?
Jacynta: “Yes we are just excited , if we make it to the Cup final, that’s what we have to focus on at the moment. It’s amazing that it’s being played at Hampden but it was nice to be there and be in that environment. It would be amazing to make the Cup final but we’re just focusing on Sunday at the moment.”
The Celtic Star: What are your early thoughts on Tash Flint as a striker?
Jacynta: “Yeah, we love her. she’s a really good girl on and off the pitch. I think she is going to help us a lot. She is very clinical in front of goal. She’s an amazing player and she’s got some finish on her so hopefully she helps us this season.”
The Celtic Star: Are you confident that we can get a win on Sunday against Glasgow City?
Jacynta: “Yes I am very confident. It’s not going to be an easy game. We know Glasgow City’s strengths so we are not going to take it likely but I am very confident that we can get a result.
Celtic Fan Media: It’s a big game on Sunday, if you win you go top on goal difference. Is that something that the Ghirls are talking about?
Jacynta: “Yes, definitely. We take every game the same. We want to get three points out of every game we play. We know it’s such a big game and we know we always have to score goals every week because of the goal difference. But we are going to go into the game with the same mentality as every other game, we’ll work hard and try and get the result.”
Celtic Fan Media: There was a big crowd there on Friday night for the game against (the)Rangers. Are you hoping for the same on Sunday?
Jacynta: “Definitely. When there’s a big crowd it gives you more motivation to play and win for the fans, so we’re hoping that we’ll get some fans down to the game on Sunday and it will give us an extra push to get the result.”
Media: Should you win on Sunday you’ll go to the top of the league, what would that mean at this point in the season to you and the team?
Jacynta: “In previous seasons we’ve had great squads and had great seasons but this season we’ve been more consistent and we know that if we get this result we’ll go top of the table and that’s what we deserve. We’re an amazing team and hopefully we’ll get three points.”
Media: What would you say has changed most this season from previous season to be more consistent?
Jacynta: “I’ve said it before. I think it’s the diversity that we have especially in the attacking third. I know that Lucy (Ashworth Clifford) is out now and Clarissa (Larisey) is not here any more but we have so much talent in different perspectives. We have dribblers, we have finishers, we have everything. So I think that it’s very hard for other teams to defence against us, that’s why we have so many goals this season, so I think it’s just so much diversity in the squad.”
Media: You know that you can beat Glasgow City but in the league not so much. How important is it to turn that around?
Jacynta: “We know that in previous seasons in the league, sometimes we have lacked concentration in those games that matter and we don’t bring the result but we know this season – we just got the (3-0) result against (the)Rangers and we know we can do it against Glasgow City as well and all the Ghirls are determined to get that result.”
Celtic TV: The squad took the tally to 100 competitive goals for the season. It but be a such an exciting attacking front-line to play in.
Jacynta: “Yeah exactly. Just like you said, what an achievement to reach 100 goals and only conceded three as well. It’s an amazing achievement and there’s just so much diversity in our front line, I think that defenders don’t know how to handle it so it’s really good.”
Celtic TV: What message would you have for the fans coming along to the game on Sunday?
Jacynta: “We need your support, it makes a big difference when we’re playing and we hear the fans in the crowd supporting us, it makes the biggest difference so please come down on Sunday.”
Watch the media conference with Jacynta ahead of tomorrow crucial clash against Glasgow City below…
Join us at the Excelsior Stadium this Sunday as the Ghirls go head-to-head with the league leaders in the battle for top spot! 🔝
🎟 Tickets are available to buy online now ⬇️#CELCIT | #SWPL | #COYGIG🍀
— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) March 2, 2023
🎥 “A crowd gives you more motivation to play and win for the fans and can give you that extra push for the result.”
We need you tomorrow, Celts! 🫵🍀#CELCIT | #SWPL | #COYGIG
— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) March 4, 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
