“This? This is our house. A Night in Paradise I will never forget – Glasgow. Is. Green. And. White.” Jodie Bartle

BBC Alba voted Celtic central defender Caitlin Hayes their Player of the Game in last night’s pretty special 1-0 win over big spending theRangers – who other that taking 0 from 6 points in their two defeats to the Hoops, have not dropped a single point in any other game, and have been the only side to defeat long term top-dogs in Scottish Women’s football, Glasgow City.

Speaking to the broadcaster after the match Hayes revealed that the team had taken motivation after being written off following the disappointing performance against Glasgow City on the first game back after the long winter lay-off. The weather was terrible that day and the first goal – that perhaps shouldn’t have stood – was the turning point on a windy day at K-Park.

Photo by Luke Nickerson

Despite any mitigating circumstances due to the long lay-off and the bad weather, it was still a pretty terrible performance from the Hoops as Glasgow City ended up comfortable 3-0 winners. Season over for Celtic? No, not on your Nelly!  Sleeves were rolled up and three wins on the bounce against Hearts, Spartans and now theRangers have got Celtic right back in the mix for at least one of the two Champions League spots. Maybe even the title is not beyond Fran Alonso’s side.

The Celtic Star today received an invite to Alonso’s pre-match Media Conference ahead of Sunday’s home match at K-Park against Hibs (why not play it at Celtic Park?) We declined the club’s invitation.

Photo by Luke Nickerson

We’ve been strong long term supporters of the Celtic FC Women’s side, along with the Cynic whose coverage is first rate, but few of the other sites or podcasts have shown much or any interest in the women’s game – until recently. Probably encouraged by the enthusiasm for the Women’s game on The Celtic Star and over at the Cynic. For instance only The Celtic Star has invested in photography as you can see on this article and on all the others since the game ended last night.

Yesterday Celtic decided to invite some of the Fans Media along to Celtic Park to cover the Celtic v theRangers match. The Cynic of course were there and there were a few others who have only provided the Women’s side with coverage over the last couple of weeks. Yet Celtic PR, Media or Marketing team excluded The Celtic Star. Why?

So today we told them that we’d not be attending Fran Alonso’s Press Conference tomorrow as we await a formal explanation from Celtic FC which we will print on here. We invite our readers to look over the articles posted today and indeed last night where we have had significant coverage of the game from last night. Then look at what has appeared elsewhere. Go back to Sunday and you’ll see comprehensive coverage of the game against Spartans, and so on.

Photo by Luke Nickerson

We have put a great deal of time and effort into helping Celtic FC establish the SWPL team into the thoughts of the wider support and see the significance of this for Celtic going forward. Yet the first chance Celtic get to invite in the fans media they exclude the biggest Celtic site offering comprehensive coverage of the Women’s game.

We are NOT saying others should have been excluded. Indeed the more sites and podcasts covering the Women’s game the better. All we are saying is that given The Celtic Star has been major supporters of the Celtic FC Women’s team all season long and through last year too, then we merited to be given the same courtesy of blogs and podcasts who have openly admitted that they know or care little about the women’s game.

We’ll let you know how this develops.

Here’s the SWPL table after last night’s results…

Meanwhile Jodie Bartle certainly seems to be still buzzing after yet another win over theRangers

. Chloe Logan celebrates with Jodie BartleCeltic Women FC following their 1-0 victory over theRangers at Celtic Park, Photo: Colin Poultney
Photo: Colin Poultney
Photo by Luke Nickerson

Here are some additional goal celebrations from last night’s win over theRangers. Have you seen these anywhere else? Maybe it’s only The Celtic Star that has INVESTED in supporting the women’s game!

Photo: Colin Poultney
Photo: Colin Poultney
Photo: Colin Poultney
Photo: Colin Poultney
Photo: Colin Poultney
Photo: Colin Poultney
Photo: Colin Poultney
Photo: Colin Poultney
Photo: Colin Poultney
Photo: Colin Poultney
Photo: Colin Poultney

 

 

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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