It’s a huge weekend for Celtic FC Women as Elena Sadiku’s side go into the first post-split fixture against theRangers Women on Sunday 17 March, looking for a vital St Patrick’s Day victory that will blow the SWPL1 title race wide open.
Celtic have suffered against theRangers this season, losing all three matches against theRangers at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie by the odd goal after being ahead on each occasion.
Harsh reality
The harsh reality of the lack of depth in the Celtic squad, particularly in the forward areas was ruthlessly exposed by Jo Potter’s side expensively assembled side. Yes, it should be noted that theRangers invested heavily in their squad last summer after finishing last season empty handed and failing to qualify for the Champions League.
Celtic lost key players from that exciting side finished last season so strongly. That all made Fran Alonso’s decision to take the job offer in the States that little bit easier, as he was putting out Celtic sides with next to no goal threat – other than Caitlin Hayes at corners – against Sunday’s opposition.
Alonso’s credit
To Alonso’s credit he kept winning in the other games to keep Celtic involved in the title race by the time Elena Sadiku took over and the Swedish coach got off to a tough start with back-to-back defeats against theRangers in the Sky Sports Cup semi-final and then more significantly to Glasgow City in the SWPL1.
Sadiku’s surprise
Sadiku must have been surprised at the shortage of first team ready forward players in her squad but with the return of Tash Flint on loan from Liverpool and Kit Loferski getting back to full fitness after struggling with an on going muscle problem for several months, Sadiku now has the fire-power to worry theRangers. Add Amy Gallacher to the mix and Celtic have a front three that can power our way to the title.
Title charge
But we are currently four points adrift. We won’t win the title without beating theRangers. We could and should have done that at Ibrox last month, passing up numbers chances to put the game to bed at 1-0 before conceding an equaliser against the run of play. Even then we had the best chance of the game to win it but failed to find the back of the net.
Abair tadhal! Natasha Flint le tadhal dha Celtic sa chiad mhionaid den dàrna leth!
Natasha Flint starting off the second half strong! pic.twitter.com/zcEqYcj8kX
— BBC ALBA (@bbcalba) February 18, 2024
All eyes on Airdrie
Sunday though is the big chance to create a neck-and-neck title race then it’s a shoot-out all the way to the finish. Win on Sunday and Celtic FC Women will have the bit between their teeth as the eye that one major honour this team is yet to win.
So it will be all eyes on Airdrie on Sunday, why not get along and give the Ghirls your support?
Here’s the team training as they get ready for the visit of theRangers Women on St Patrick’s Day.
SCOTTISH WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE – CELTIC FC WOMEN v theRANGERS WOMEN
Excelsior Stadium, Sunday 17 March 2024 Kick-off: 4:10pm | Gates open: 3:10pm. ORDER TICKETS HERE.
COYGIG!
