Noonan the hat-trick hero as Celts defeat Hearts

ScottishPower Women’s Premier LeagueSunday, February 22, 2026New Douglas Park CELTIC…5 (Noonan 18, 26, 73, O’Hanlon 56, Cross 61) HEARTS…3 (Shore 50, O.G 66, Hutchison 90+6)   Celtic FC Women picked up three points in their final game before the split, running out 5-3 winners over Hearts on Sunday afternoon. Saoirse Noonan got the Ghirls off to a flyer, with two first half goals, which gave Celtic a two-goal lead at the break. Despite Hearts’ best efforts, it was a strong attacking display from the Hoops, who scored three in the second half through Tara O’Hanlon, Morgan Cross, and Saoirse Noonan, who sealed her hat-trick. It was a quick-fire double for Grant Scott’s side against the Edinburgh club, who we were meeting for the second week on the bounce. The Hoops named six changes to the side from last weekend’s win over the Jambos. Adelaide Gay took her place between the sticks, whilst Maddi Wilde and Tara O’Hanlon were also brought into the backline. There was also a place in the starting line-up for Evie Rabjohn, Maria McAneny and Saoirse Noonan. And that move to bring the Irish striker into the team proved to be effectively, with the Celtic number 20 quickly making her mark on the game. Having made a positive start, with the Ireland internationalist forcing the first save of the game, she found the net shortly after on the 18-minute mark. After being denied the opener just moments before as Morgan Cross seen a point-blank effort blocked, the Celts continued their pressure from the corner. Floating the ball to the back post, Noonan was on hand to meet Kelly Clark’s pin-point delivery, scoring the opening goal of the game. The best chances in the half looked to be coming Celtic’s way, and they were able to double their advantage just before the half hour mark. Once again it was Noonan was on hand to stroke the ball home from a set play, meeting the second ball from Claire Walsh’s effort, spinning to turn home from close range. The Ghirls came close to another before half-time, following a good move down the left which gave McAneny space to advance in the area. The midfielder looked to pick out Emma Lawton with her delivery, but the full-back just couldn’t find the target with her shot. It was a healthy lead for the Hoops to take in at the interval, with Saoirse Noonan scoring her 50th and 51st goal in green and white. But as they had seen just last week, the Ghirls would have to be wary of the visitors threats in the final third. That was showcased just five minutes into the half, as Hearts pulled one back through captain, Eilidh Shore. Scoring from a corner of their own, the Hearts midfielder headed home the delivery to half the deficit not long after the reset. The Ghirls seemed to take that in their stride though, responding with two goals of their own as the game approached the hour mark. It was a special moment for January signing, Tara O’Hanlon, who scored her first goal for the club to regain the Hoops’ two-goal lead. Having also seen an effort saved just minutes before, O’Hanlon wasn’t going to miss on this occasion, turning home Emma Lawton’s delivery to the back post. And things got even better for Celtic, when Morgan Cross scored her 15 goal of the campaign, making the most of a ricochet, to smash home from just a few yards out. Hearts did force their way back into the game once more, pulling another back. On this occasion, it was a Claire Walsh own goal, with the defender unfortunate to see her clearance land in the back of the net. That was also quickly put to the back of Celtic’s mind though as Saoirse Noonan completed the hat-trick. It was the link up between Clark and Noonan once more, with the Irish striker meeting the captain’s delivery to make sure all three points would be coming Celtic’s way. Just as they had done last week, there was still time for one more consolation goal for the visitors in the sixth minute of added time. But the Ghirls had already made sure the win would be coming their way, running out 5-3 winners over the Edinburgh side. It was the ideal way to round off their final fixture before the split as we head into the first international break of 2026.FixturesCeltic Women Vs. Hearts Women – Sun, Feb 22nd 2026, 16:10