Celtic Women take on Hearts today in the Quarter-Finals of the Women’s Scottish Cup as the Hoops continue to defend the trophy they won last May against Glasgow City.
The Ghirls bouced back from the disappointment of dropping three points in the league to Glasgow City with a solid victory in Edinburgh last weekend against Hibernian. Goals from Amy Gallacher and Caitlin Hayes saw the Celts right and maintain league ambitions ahead of the split.
Fran Alonso spoke of the importance of returning to winning ways quickly during the week noting that “It was a very important result (against Hibs). Especially after a result where you don’t get the win against Glasgow City. It’s very important in the next game that you don’t go into a bad run and make sure the belief or self-esteem of the team is not affected.”
Celtic go into today’s game as Cup holders and will look to draw on the positive experience of last season as further motivation to drive the team on to another successful campaign. Opponent Hearts, on the other hand, will be out for revenge after falling to Celtic at the semi-final stage last season after two extra-time goals from Charlie Wellings.
While Wellings has departed for Reading, young Australian midfielder Jacynta has taken on the creative responsibilities and is looking forward to a difficult match today.
“We go into every game with the same preparation and mind set. We want to work hard, we’ve also been doing work on the tactics. It’s going to be a big game. We know it’s not going to be easy, but we are all looking forward to it. I think it will be a similar test to last time, if not even harder. I think Hearts are going to be well up for it, just like we are.”
Celtic have won the two previous meetings of the sides this season; 3-0 in Glasgow and 2-1 in Edinurgh, and are unbeaten in their last 10 games against Hearts.
While confidence is high in the squad, it is also tempered by the same focused mindset that we have become accustomed too with the men’s team. The group has the ambition to lift the trophy for a second consecutive season but, as Jacynta highlighted in her press conference, the players are not allowing themselves to think that far ahead. Instead, the aim is on winning each individual game with the honours to follow.
“We aren’t thinking about that (winning the cup) just yet though. We obviously want to win again, but we just need to take it one game at a time and think about the Hearts game first.”
A tough game is expected this afternoon and the Ghirls will need to give it their all if they are to book a place in the semi-finals and keep hold of the Scottish Cup for a little longer.
ACSOM are proud patrons of the women’s team, and wish them all the best on Sunday as they consider their pursuit of a history making season.
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