On a glorious May evening, Fran Alonso’s Ghirls were cheered on by a record-breaking crowd at Celtic Park. The match against Glasgow City would form part of an entertaining league title; however, it would also act as a milestone for the club and Scottish football in general given the crowd that was attracted, a domestic record of 9553.
Not only did the game show the vast potential for the women’s game with Celtic winning 3-1, but the match also offered insight into what ‘The Celtic End’ might look like. Michael Nicholson had a great view of the Jock Stein lower, how could he miss it given the noise and colour on display. The Celtic Chief Executive has been exemplary since assuming office after Dom McKay’s brief stint in the Parkhead hot-seat.
Now, Nicholson will be addressed by the North Curve and Bhoys Celtic regarding their proposed rearrangement of the Celtic Park layout. The fans that had sold out behind the goal in the Jock Stein stand provided a lively and vibrant addition to women’s football. Celtic FC Women play their home games at Airdrie which is soulless compared to a vibrant Paradise.
While the Green Brigade and Celtic Bhoys had their own motivation for the display that they put on – to showcase their Green Wall in the Celtic End – there’s no doubt that sitting in the main stand or in the North Stand you were looking at that display and just had to be mightily impressed.
The biggest game for Celtic this weekend is NOT at Ibrox today, that’s a Dead Rubber, it will be nice to win it but in the grand scheme of things it’s unimportant. The game tomorrow at Meadoowbank stadium in Edinburgh is so crucial to Celtic’s title chances in the SWPL1. If Fran Alonso’s side, now ravaged with injuries, can have enough in the tank to win that one then it’s going to come down to the final week next Sunday when Celtic are at home to Hearts and theRangers play Glasgow City (so points will be dropped). Anything other than a City win could hand Celtic the title, if the Ghirls can beat Hearts.
Surely this game – if we beat Hibs on Sunday – should be moved to Celtic Park and the Green Wall in the Celtic End asked to return?
Here is Fran Alonso’s post match media conference…Enjoy!
Highlights from Sky Sports…