Tash ‘Goal Machine’ Flint fires Celtic into Scottish Cup Final against the Rangers

Holders Celtic will play theRangers in the Women’s Scottish Cup Final at Hampden next month after the Hoops got the better of Glasgow City at the National Stadium this afternoon. The only goal of what was a tense game came after 20 minutes from the gaol machine Natasha Flint, who beat the offside trap to collect a carefully threaded through pass from Player of the Match Caitlin Hayes to find the bottom corner.

Tash Flint 🔥

🍀1-0🔶#CELCIT | #ScottishCup | #COYGIG pic.twitter.com/ClbY5DiKTS

— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) April 23, 2023

Flint repeated the trick shortly afterwards but despite another deadly finish she was this time flagged for offside.

It was far from a fluid performance from Fran Alonso’s side but in semi-finals it’s all about the result and for Celtic that Flint goal puts the women’s team on course for an amazing League and Cup double.

The wide open spaces at Hampden was expected to benefit Celtic’s free-flowing brand of football, but it didn’t really happen today. After getting their noses in front, the team seemed to be happy to shore up defensively and it’s fair to say that Pam Tajonar wasn’t troubled too much until City substitute Lisa Forrest – that’s James Forrest’s wee sister – was through one-on-one with the Mexican goalkeeper making a fine save to frustrate the youngster and deny City the chance of taking the match into extra-time.

And just when you think you’ve seen everything in football, something new happens. Fran Alonso substituted Amy Gallacher after she became the latest to be booked by a card-happy referee. Her replacement was new signing Kit Loferski. Gallacher left the park and Loferski never got past the fourth official, who belatedly spotted that she was wearing an earring.

Attempts to remove the offending jewellery lasted some five minutes, with City doing their best to benefit from Celtic’s misfortune before Fran Alonso had enough and opted to substitute Loferski, bringing on Chinese midfielder Shen instead.

Celtic’s game-management was otherwise outstanding, even if the performance lacked the usual sparkle of a Kit Loferski ear-piece. So it’s on to Hampden for the Scottish Cup Final and frustratingly we will have to play that one without the outstanding Natalie Ross, who picked up a second yellow in the closing stages so will miss the match.

Celtic won the Scottish Cup for the first time last May and what an afternoon that was at Tynecastle. This time it’s at Hampden and it’s against theRangers. Maybe, just maybe we’ll get the Celtic support out in numbers for this one.

Today’s Scottish Cup semi-final ended with the scoreline of Celtic 1 (Flint, 20 mins) Glasgow City 0. Player of the Match was Caitlin Hayes and a special mention for Pam Tajonar for that significant save in the closing stages.

The Celtic Star’s Photos from Hampden to follow.

COYGIG

Natasha Flint’s first-half strike is enough to seal @CelticFCWomen‘s win over @GlasgowCityFC and take them into the Women’s Scottish Cup Final.#ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/VYz0Y1VD5b

— Scottish Cup (@ScottishCup) April 23, 2023