Sunday 3rd March, 2024 at 8:17am
This Sunday 3rd March, PTWFC take on Celtic in an SWPL1 match at the Excelsior Stadium in a 14:00 kickoff.
Having continued our unbeaten streak against Hibs in our last outing before the international break, a well needed rest has allowed our girls to have a regroup before travelling away to Airdrie to face a strong Celtic side.
📍Excelsior Stadium
🕐Sunday 3rd March 2024 2pm
🎟️ £10 / £5
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💻️Highlights and reaction post match
Celtic have had a good season sitting 2nd in the SWPL on equal points with 3rd place Glasgow City and 4 points below league leaders Rangers in 1st. There’s been a change at the helm since we last played the hoops after Fran Alonso departed for the NWSL in the USA, with Swedish manager Elena Sadiku taking charge of the green side of Glasgow.
Celtic’s squad has an array of talented individuals from across the world with the likes of Caitlin Hayes, a Republic or Ireland international and last season’s player of the season, and Amy Gallagher, the league’s top assister and second top scorer, both receiving a lot of praise in recent times. Natasha Flint recently rejoined her former club from Liverpool following a fruitful loan spell last season that helped Celtic lift the Scottish Cup.
Our previous fixture against Celtic ended in a 3-0 defeat for the Jags at Petershill Park, however, both sides have changed considerably in such a short space of time therefore there’s a lot up for grabs in this Glasgow derby.
We welcomed Hibs to Petershill Park fully aware that they would be wanting revenge following their defeat in the cup semi finals a few weeks prior. Grant Scott was missing a few key players such as Rosie Livingstone and Abbie Ferguson therefore switched up from his usual 433 to a back 3 formation.
Hibs came out and immediately took the front foot in the game, controlling possession and refusing to let the Jags see much of the ball. They were rewarded for these efforts around the 27th minute as a cross into the box ricocheted off skipper Demi Falconer and found its way past Ava Easdon to give the Hibees a 1-0 lead.
The goal only fired up Thiste as they came into the second half with more fire and passion, immediately throwing bodies forward and making their mark. Had it not been for some strong defending by Hibs, there would have been a lot more goals in red and yellow. Super sub Rachel Donaldson eventually hit an effort which dipped over Nina Wilson and into the back of the net to make the game all square at 1-1, which it would remain.
Strong Followings from the Red and Yellow army have helped our girls massively, especially during this unbeaten run. We would love to see as many thistle fans out in Airdrie as we make our way out to Lanarkshire for this Glasgow derby.
A full squad available for Brian Graham approaching this fixture. The international break saw Jenna Ferguson and League Player of the Month nominee Ava Easdon involved in two under 19s victories against Wales for Scotland with both looking to be involved for this fixture. The break also allowed for some knocks and niggles to be recovered.
Cheryl McCulloch has been making a lot of improvement on her recovery however still remains a distance from her return to the side as she recovers from her ACL injury suffered around a year ago.
With that being said, it will be up to the gaffer and the rest of the management team to field their best possible side heading into this fixture with a chance to go and cause an upset away on the road.
7th May 2023
PARTICK THISTLE 1
(Henderson, 57′)
CELTIC 2
(Hayes, 30′, 90+5′)
