Tough afternoon as Celtic go down 3-0 to Sweden’s Champions Hammarby

Celtic FC Women went down to a 3-0 defeat to Hammarby this afternoon in the battle of Champions…

Celtic manager Elena Sadiku will be reasonably happy as this was a great test ahead of her team’s return to Paradise on Saturday for the SWPL Champions Flag Day with Dundee United the opponents.

The Ghirls were moving the ball around well in the opening stages as they tried to carve out some chances, but it was Kelsey Daugherty who was the first goalkeeper forced into a save.

Signe Carstens sent a delivery into the box a few moments later as the Celts looked to hit back, but it was Hammarby who found the opener with 18 minutes gone.

Lucy Ashworth-Clifford looked to get us back into the game as she sent a cross in but the goalkeeper was there to claim. And LAC continued to try and impact the game, but couldn’t control the ball as she suddenly found it at her feet.

Hammarby doubled their lead on the half-hour mark but with less than ten minutes to go to the break, Amy Gallacher broke through as we looked to be on for a goal. The Swedish Champions did well to recover in order to keep Celtic quiet.

As the second half got underway, LAC found an early goal but the flag was up, leaving it goalless for the Celts. And just over five minutes later, Hammarby scored a third as a cross from a difficult position got the best of Daugherty.

Looking to get us back into the game, Clare Goldie sent a ball to the back post for Hana Kerner. She couldn’t get on the end of it though, despite making a promising run.

With the clock ticking down, Celtic were pressing high, trying to push for a consolation goal. Mathilde Carstens was showing her class as she tried to work the space well but was unlucky to see her chances and delivery attempts go nowhere.

And although it wasn’t to be for the Ghirls, it’s more minutes in the tank ahead of Saturday’s league opener at Paradise when the Celtic supporters will celebrate a second flag day of the new season.

It seems like we’ll be seeing similar tactics from last season, with a five-at-the-back being on display from Elena Sadiku’s side.

Celtic today look powerful on the counter-attacks and our new signings certainly seem capable of doing a job for us. Despite conceding three, Daugherty, as always, seemed commanding in the box and once up to full speed, I have no doubt that she’ll be of the high class she showed us last season.

Let’s hope for a good result on flag day! Tickets are still available to buy ahead of Saturday and the Ghirls deserve a huge, record breaking crowd.

One win and a defeat in Sweden is nothing to be too concerned about but there’s always more that can be done in the transfer market, with the Celtic Board clearly working flat out to get deals done. That last bit was an attempt at humour, obviously.

Jessica Elliott