Celtic Women take part in arguably their biggest-ever game this afternoon as they take on Hearts at Celtic Park with the league title on the line.
The Women’s team has made tremendous progress under the guidance of Fran Alonso in the past couple of seasons and now, going into the final game of the season, are one victory away from a potential maiden SWPL Title.
HOW THE CELTS CAN WIN THE LEAGUE
In a dramatic final day, the top two sides Glasgow City and Rangers face each other at Ibrox at the same time as Celtic host Hearts. With just two points separating the top three sides at the start of the day, the destination of the title is likely to go down to the very last minutes of an enthralling campaign.
Sitting in third place, two points behind Glasgow City and trailing Rangers by 1 goal, the task for Celtic is relatively straightforward; beat Hearts by as many goals as possible and let the other game take care of itself.
A win for Glasgow City, regardless of how the Celtic game plays out, would see the Petershill Park side crowned champions for the 16th time. However, a draw or Rangers win opens the door for Celtic to steal in and win the title.
A stalemate at Ibrox and a Celtic victory at Celtic Park would see Fran’s ghirls lift the trophy by virtue of having a superior goal difference over City, with Rangers finishing third. Should Rangers beat City, then Celtic would need to beat Hearts by two goals MORE than Rangers defeat City by in order to overturn the goal deficit, and be crowned champions on goal difference.
Simple, right?
PREVIOUS MEETINGS / CROWD ON OUR SIDE
Celtic have won the previous four meetings of the clubs this season across league and cup with an aggregate score line of 16-2, and have put 11 goals past Hearts in the last two meetings alone. With the Glasgow City – Rangers game expected to be a close affair, and goal difference being Celtic’s route to the title, another high-scoring win today could swing the title in Celtic’s direction.
Playing at Celtic Park in front of what is expected to be another record attendance for a domestic game, is also likely to provide the players with the extra motivation needed to get the result. We all know the role that the Celtic End played in inspiring the comeback against Glasgow City a couple of weeks ago, and the same rousing support is exactly what the Ghirls need today.
Player of the Year Caitlin Hayes is one player who is relishing the opportunity to play in front of the Celtic Park support again:
“To play the game with our team-mates, and in front of the supporters at Celtic Park – it’s a dream come true for a lot of us. It’s a point I keep making, but it is important that we focus on the game and do what we need to do. Not focusing on anything else other than our own performance. When that final whistle goes, we’ll lift our heads, and see what is in front of us. If it’s meant to be, it will be.”
Manager Fran Alonso who has helped mastermind Celtic’s rise to title challengers also commented to Celtic TV that he expects a very tough game from a full-strength Hearts side that will be out to end their own season on a high note:
“We need to be at our best. I can see that they are focused though, and in front of the Celtic supporters I think we will have a very good game. That (winning the title at Celtic Park) would be a dream come true, and I would be the happiest man in the world if the squad were given this moment to celebrate with the fans.”
The game kicks off at 4.10pm and come dinner time we will know if the Ghirls have done enough to secure an historic first title on the 130th anniversary of the men’s first league title.
As Billy McNeill said, there’s a romance about this club – today could see another another chapter written in our Celtic love affair.
ACSOM are proud patrons of the women’s team, and wish them all the very best as they continue their pursuit of a history-making season. We’ll have several ACSOM contributors in attendance at today’s game, cheering the Ghirls on for what could be a momentous day in the club’s history.
Come on You Ghirls in Green!!!
Kevin McCluskie
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