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Celtic FC Women

“We look like a solid team, I am very proud,” Elena Sadiku

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Celtic FC Women move within four points of theRangers after an important 3-1 victory in the capital against Hibernian. Goals from Tash Flint and Caitlin Hayes helped us secure victory in this exciting clash.

Celtic looked good in the early stages as our forwards made promising runs, and the pressure paid off as Tash Flint re-opened her Celtic account with a fantastic goal. The forward ran into the box and struck from close range, making no mistake in finding the back of the net.

Hibs equalised not too long after the opener as Jorian Baucom, who has been on incredible form, found the back of the net for her 20th goal of the season. We were trying to play out from the back and the forward took advantage of that, breaking through our line and firing beyond Kelsey Daugherty.

Celtic would threaten up the other end of the pitch just a few minutes later, but Flint couldn’t keep her shot down as it went flying out of play. That wouldn’t matter for long though, as two minutes later, an amazing cross from Shen Mengyu was met by Caitlin Hayes at the back post, who headed into the back of the net.

Just before the break, Flint extended our lead and secured her brace. Kelly Clark sent a corner in, and it eventually made its way to Flint, whose shot took a slight deflection off of a defender before settling in the back of the net.

Back underway for the second half and Flint had the chance to get herself a hat trick. She struck the ball, but Poppy Lawson managed to clear it off the line, denying the Liverpool loanee a third.

That was that as the second half was relatively quiet for the Celts. A comfortable victory in the end and important considering the league leaders, Rangers, dropped points to Partick Thistle.

Elena Sadiku’s Celtic reign is well and truly underway, and she’ll be hoping to continue the good times at Ibrox next Sunday. Elena spoke to Celtic TV after the victory in the capital, saying: “I said it to the girls, we have been playing three games in one week and we’ve gotten three victories. We’ve had to switch some players, and everyone’s been doing their job as good as possible, and I’m very happy about how we performed today. Hibs are a good team, but I feel that we look like a solid team.

Photo Colin Poultney PSI

“In the first half, we created lots of chances, and we scored three goals. Some transitions they did felt a bit dangerous but when we came out in the second, we just controlled it [the game]. They didn’t create anything in and I’m proud of how we’re progressing as a team all of the time.

“I feel like what comes from setbacks and challenges is how we react and how we respond. For me, success comes because of how we react. I’m very pleased with all of the players and how the team is getting stronger and stronger.

“We look comfortable with the ball, we look good when we defend, and everything we do, we do as a team. The energy out there today was brilliant and if we can progress from this and keep growing as a team, it’s going to be harder and harder to beat us.

“We always want to win games and from that, we also want to perform good. Because we know that if we perform good as a team, it’s going to be hard to beat us and we know that if we perform like we did today, then we’re going to win.”

After putting in a fantastic performance, Tash Flint also spoke to Celtic TV. She said: “I think it was a great performance. Especially after last week when we didn’t really perform at our best. We upped it a little this week and we’ve got more to give next weekend.

“It was good [to score in a Celtic shirt again]. It took me a little bit longer this time round but when I get my first goal, many more will come. It’s good to get on the scoresheet.

“I feel like being here previously has helped me settle in better in some aspects. I think it took me a bit longer this time to settle in a bit more though. I’m settled in now, I’ve been here quite a while now. Everyone’s looking forward to the game at Ibrox against (the)Rangers, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

After our defeat to Glasgow City in the league a few weeks ago, a lot of people thought that our chances in the title race were gone. After what’s gone down today, that’s not the case.

We are well and truly in this title race and a win at Ibrox next week could blow it open. If we win, we’ll be within one point of the top of the table, and that’s huge.

With such a big game, there comes a lot of pressure, so we’ll have to hope that the Ghirls can deal with that. The slight tweaks that have been made to the system recently have allowed us to play far better than we did when Elena first came in, so our chances at Ibrox are certainly looking better than they did a short while ago.

Like Elena said, we really took control of the game in the second half. The first was clinical and resulted in a comfortable lead, but if we can keep dominating games like we did for the final 45 minutes, then we’ll become a force to be reckoned with.

So, let’s get three points at Ibrox next week and increase our chances of winning our first ever SWPL title. Tickets for the game are available to buy now and the game will also be live on BBC Alba. Let’s back the Ghirls and give them the support needed to get an important win over our rivals!

Jessica Elliott

Apologies for not having photographs from Celtic FC Women’s 3-1 win against Hibs at Meadowbank. Our photographer was unable to attend.  Normal service will be resumed next weekend.  COYGIG

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About Author

Delighted to be the women's football writer for The Celtic Star for my second season. As always, we aim to keep the coverage of the Celtic FC Women's team incredible and unrivalled, as we have done for the past four seasons.

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