Ghirls mark their return to league action with victory over Jags

SWPL Sunday, September 15, 2024Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex PARTICK THISTLE…0 CELTIC…3 (McGregor 1, 61, Agnew 30) Celtic FC Women returned to winning ways in the SWPL after running out 3-0 winners over Partick Thistle on Sunday afternoon. A double from Shannon McGregor, alongside Murphy Agnew’s first half strike sealed all three points for the Hoops on their travels. Following on from last week’s UEFA Women’s Champions League exploits, the Ghirls were back in league action this weekend. Taking on fellow Glasgow side Partick Thistle, Elena Sadiku’s side travelled to Kirkintilloch aiming to build upon the positive results in Lithuania. The Celtic boss was able to make six changes to her starting 11, with an extremely busy few weeks ahead. One of those players who kept their place in the line-up was Shannon McGregor, who was making her second start in green and white. And the midfielder played her part in the Celts making the perfect start to proceedings, opening the scoring inside the first few minutes of the game. After an initial free kick into the box made its way to Amy Gallacher at the back post, the Celtic number seven floated a ball to the back post, where McGregor was on hand to head home into the back of the net. It was a dominant performance from the Hoops on the whole, particularly in the opening 45 minutes, pilling the pressure on Partick Thistle. Deliveries from both the left- and right-hand side were causing the home side all sorts of danger, and that was the route for Celtic’s second goal of the game. A wonderful cross into the area from Jenny Smith was met at the front post by Murphy Agnew, who directed the ball into the top corner of the net. The Celts play around the penalty area was allowing the attacking players to flourish, with a number of impressive moves almost leading to goals in the final third. Heading into the second half that dominance continued, with Kelsey Daugherty very rarely being tested between the sticks. The three points were all but wrapped up on the hour mark as McGregor grabbed her third goal in two games. Hitting on the counterattack, the move appeared to come to an end after some quick reactions by the Thistle goalkeeper. However, after picking up the loose ball, Cavanagh found McGregor, who found the bottom corner with an impressive finish from range. Celtic looked to add to the scoring as the half grew on with substitutes Mathilde Carstens and Saoirse Noonan unfortunate not to find the back of the net. Sadiku was also able to hand deadline day signing Emma Lawton her debut against her former side, with the full-back enjoying a positive first appearance in the Hoops. Three goals would secure all three points for Celtic on a sunny day in Kirkintilloch as the Ghirls got back to winning ways in the SWPL. Next up is another quick turnaround and away trip for the Celts, with a visit to Montrose on the horizon this Thursday evening. CELTIC: Daugherty, Hayes, Clark, Bruna, Smith (Lawton 77), Kerner, Ross, Cavanagh (S.Carstens 67), McGregor (M.Carstens), Gallacher (Loferski 67), Agnew (Noonan 67)Subs: Rodgers, Barclais, Cross, McAnenyFixturesPartick Thistle Women Vs. Celtic Women – Sun, Sep 15th 2024, 16:10