Celtic FC Women make a visit to Ibrox this afternoon to take on theRangers in what should have been the showpiece fixture for the SWPL1 so far this season, with a Glasgow Derby being played at the third biggest stadium in Glasgow and with a strong support present from both sides of the city. 
However yesterday morning The Celtic Star broke the story that theRangers had decided to ban all 700 Celtic supporters who had snapped up the entire allocation to support the Ghirls as they look to narrow the gap to just one point on today’s opponents. Remarkably theRangers wanted Celtic to pay for their policing costs and when Celtic refused they cancelled all tickets, while still holding onto the money.
Refunds will supposedly be issued in due course but as of now hundreds of Celtic supporters are creditors of the latest Ibrox club, and will recall that the last one went bust owing around £100m in unpaid debts including to a face-painter.
Away fans were initially allowed to attend this game but just today, the home side made the decision to retract all Celtic tickets amid “safety concerns”. This is an incredibly important game in the title race as three points in their stadium would put us right back in the title race. Four points separate us now and a victory is vital for the Ghirls.
Yesterday Arsenal Women hosted Manchester United and achieved a new record attendance for English league football of 60,160. Did the Gunners ask Manchester United to pay for the police costs, I wonder?
It’s true that theRangers had been on a good run of form, remaining unbeaten this season. However in their most recent encounter, they dropped points in a goalless draw away to Partick Thistle, and quite a few of their recent games have been closer than they would have liked. Despite being tight, they have still recorded four wins and one draw in their last five.
Celtic FC Women have been getting back on track, with two losses in their last five coming against theRangers (there fans were allowed to attend and Celtic paid all the bills associated with hosting a match) and Glasgow City. The most recent three games have been good victories and we’re looking good going into this one.
Celtic have not beaten theRangers this season, losing twice in Airdrie, but we still have good memories from the times we played them last season. Last time out, it was a narrow defeat for the Celts as Rangers advanced in the league cup with a 3-2 victory as the result of a 95th minute penalty. We’ll be out to make amends this time around.
Both teams have been incredible on the attack this season, both recording a high xG per match. At home, theRangers defence is essentially untouchable, but we’ll be hoping that we can take advantage of errors that may come with the stress of a huge match. Considering the match is at Ibrox, filled with only theRangers fans, the home side definitely have an advantage going into this one. But hey, who doesn’t like an upset! Celtic have won 82% of their away games, but the home side have come out on top in 90% of their home encounters. With that, the statistics definitely indicate a high-scoring encounter here, with goals from both sides. We’ll need to be a solid unit if we want to get anything out of this.
All stats are courtesy of FootyStats. Percentages and averages only cover games played in the Scottish Women’s Premier League and UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Ahead of this exciting clash at the top of the table, Elena Sadiku spoke to the media, including The Celtic Star. She said: “Every game is a challenge itself but obviously we are playing against the team that is number one who hasn’t lost yet so it’s a big challenge when it comes to that part of the game.
“I don’t think that our performance was the best against (the)Rangers. Last time we played them, I think we’ve been building on things that we’re progressing and getting better at so hopefully we can do better on Sunday with the things that we’ve been working on.
“I think the pressure is not on us, really. I think that if you can look at it in another way, we come from a week where we’ve been performing well and getting three points from our victories in each game. I think that the pressure is more on (the)Rangers, being number one and not having lost yet. We’re just going to do our very best to keep building on what we’re building on.”
Team News
During the media conference, Elena provided an update on the squad. She said: “Right now, it looks like players are coming back. The only missing right now is Hana [Kerner] and Luana [Muñoz] that are coming back soon from the US and Argentina. So no, we have a full squad. Just the two players that aren’t in right now.”
Going into this game with a fully fit squad is certainly a positive, so fielding our best team is certainly a good idea. Kit Loferski, Tash Flint and Amy Gallacher up top is what I’d expect to see. Goals will certainly come if those three have anything to say about it!
Player’s View
Chloe Craig was first up at the media conference as she spoke about the biggest game of the season so far. She said: “It’s a game that we’re always excited for. Especially when the two names come up, Celtic v (the)Rangers, it’s something that you play for, it’s what you train for, and it’s the games that we want to be playing so I think everyone knows the rivalry between each club and each team.
“It is tight [at the top of the table]and especially after the results at the weekend. We know what we need to do and that’s what we’re focusing on and that’s what we’re working on in training.
“We know ourselves that we’re a good team and we’ve showed that, and we’ve proved that. We believe in each other, and we believe in us as a team. There’s more to work on, of course there is, and there still a long season ahead. But it’s exciting.”
She also spoke about the importance of the away fans, before they were wrongly banned from attending, saying: “It’s a bit cliché but everybody always says that they are your 12th man and to us they really are. They follow us everywhere and that’s something that we really appreciate. We hear them every single week. Also, when we need that little bit of a burst, we just look to them.”
Match Officials
Alex Shepherd is the referee for Rangers vs Celtic. He will be assisted by Nathan Deane and Evan Morgan, with Gary Train named as the Fourth Official for the Ibrox tie.
Kick-off Time
The women’s Glasgow Derby kicks off at 15:10, taking place at Ibrox.
Where to Watch
This game is available to watch live on BBC Alba. You can’t buy tickets as Rangers are not allowing Celtic fans to attend this game.
Score Prediction
theRangers 1 – 2 Celtic FC Women is my prediction. If we can be strong and take advantage of any errors, like I said, then we will definitely be capable of getting a result. I think this could go either way very easily though considering that we won’t have the backing of our fans. Goals from Caitlin Hayes and Tash Flint, the goal machine – they are terrified of those two.
PS We’ll be there to give the Ghirls a cheer!
COYGIG!
Jessica Elliott
