Ghirls suffer derby day defeat

SWPL Sunday, May 11, 2025New Douglas Park CELTIC…0 RANGERS…1 (Howat 12)   Celtic FC Women suffered defeat in the final Glasgow derby outing of the season, losing out 1-0 to Rangers. An early Kirsty Howat strike was enough to separate the sides, as the Hoops slipped to defeat in their final match at New Douglas Park of the season. Having tasted defeat last time out against Glasgow City, Elena Sadiku made one change to her side that started in Hamilton. In came Jenny Smith to replace Bruna, signalling a change in formation for the Hoops, switching to a back three. The game actually started off fairly positive for the Celts, who looked to try and test the Rangers backline early on, with several free kicks. Both of which were sent into the box by Lucy Ashworth-Clifford, which allowed Amy Gallacher to get a shot off, and Emma Lawton directing a header towards goal. Both of which, weren’t troubling the goalkeeper though. Despite that, it was the away side who would take the lead inside 12 minutes as Kirsty Howat grabbed the opener. Latching onto a long ball over the top, the forward took it round Kelsey Daugherty. Despite Lawton’s best last-ditch efforts, it was a simple taste for Howat to tap home and make the score 1-0. It was far from the Hoops’ best first half performance, with the Ghirls struggling to get the ball and play between the visitors. Jenny Smith did almost have an opening, after forcing an error from Nicola Docherty. But the strike was dragged wide, and once again not troubling the keeper. It was a fairly non-eventful first half of action though, with the Hoops going in behind at the break. Heading into the second half, the Ghirls’ performance levels picked up, looking to fire themselves level in the game. Saoirse Noonan was unlucky not to find the target with her first strike, which went wide of the target. However, the Irish forward was even more unfortunate to see a powerful effort saved by Jenna Fife, who produced a strong hand to deny Celtic’s number 20. At the other end, Kelsey Daugherty had to remain strong, forcing a terrific save of her own as the Hoops pushed forward in search of a goal. Sadiku turned to her bench in search of an equaliser, with the introduction of Morgan Cross and Kit Loferski. Both players almost linked up instantly, with Cross sending a teasing ball into the box, which appeared to be heading for the American, before it was cleared. Shortly after, Cross was looking to find the net as a superb delivery from Jenny Smith headed to the back post. But it was just out of her reach. The Hoops couldn’t find their way to goal in the second half, resulting in derby day defeat in their penultimate home game of the campaign. With just two games left, the Celts now head to the capital in midweek to take on current league leaders Hibernian on Wednesday evening. CELTIC: Daughety, Lawton, Clark (M. Carstens 88), Barclais, Smith, Ashworth-Clifford (Cross 70), Momo (Cavanagh 81), McAneny, Gallacher (Harrison 81), Agnew (Loferski 70), Noonan Subs: Rodgers, Bruna, DawsonFixturesCeltic Women Vs. Rangers Women – Sun, May 11th 2025, 16:10