Having forced their way back into the title race in recent weeks, Celtic Women host Rangers Women at the Excelsior Stadium this evening intent on keeping up the pressure on leaders Glasgow City. The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports with a 7pm kick off.
With the advantage of playing a day earlier, City now lead Celtic by 5 points ahead of tonight’s clash. Victory for the Ghirls would reduce the deficit to two points, potentially setting up a title decider next week when the sides meet at Celtic Park.
Hayes knows the way to goal
Speaking to the media ahead of tonight’s game, serial Glasgow Derby goal-scorer Caitlin Hayes re-iterated the belief in the squad that they can go out and win this fixture.
“There is an unwavering amount of belief amongst the squad. It’s not something that we have ever questioned. Even when things didn’t look that great for us.” She said; “It’s warranted belief too, because we have gone out and proved it with our performances.”
Hayes has developed a welcome habit of scoring in this fixture, netting on three occasions against Rangers this season already.
The English defender scored a double in a 3-0 win earlier in the season, before scoring a last kick of the ball equaliser in the last game back in March.
That fixture, also broadcast on Sky, is sadly best remembered not for Hayes’ dramatic leveller, but for Rangers coach Craig McPherson’s headbutt on Fran Alonso. McPherson was given a slap on the wrists and a 6-week suspension for his assault on the Spaniard.
Alonso focussed on success
To his eternal credit, Alonso has made very little of the incident, instead focussing his attentions on the pitch and improving Celtic’s league standing. The Ghirls have won 5 games in-a-row since the draw with Rangers, including two confidence boosting wins against Glasgow City.
Tonight’s game is of massive significance to the destination of the title, something that Fran acknowledges: “We are strictly focusing on one game at a time. It is a very exciting game against Rangers, and we must win.”
Unbeaten in three against Rangers so far this season, another victory would keep Celtic’s title aspirations in their own hands.
Another Caitlin Hayes goal, this time a winner in front of the Celtic support, would go down well.
ACSOM are proud patrons of the women’s team, and wish them all the best tonight as they continue their pursuit of a history making season.
Kevin McCluskie
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