Scottish Women’s Premier League
Sunday, 12 March, 2023
Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh

HIBERNIAN... 0

CELTIC... 2
(Gallacher 9, Hayes 35)

Celtic FC Women returned to winning ways in the SWPL on Sunday afternoon, defeating Hibernian 2-0 in the capital. First-half goals from Amy Gallacher and Caitlin Hayes were enough to secure all three points for the Hoops in the final league fixture before the split.

Fran Alonso's side looked determined to take control of the match in the early stages, although it was Celtic keeper, Pamela Tajonar, who was forced into the opening save of the game, pushing away a headed effort from Hibs.

And Celtic quickly bounced back with a chance of their own, aiming to score within the first 10 minutes. Jacynta was first to test the Hibs goal, attempting to round the keeper, but Benni Haaland did well to recover and palm the ball behind for a corner

However, from the resulting corner, the Norwegian couldn’t stop the Celts taking the lead through Amy Gallacher. In the midst of a congested penalty area, Gallacher picked up space and was in the perfect position to tap home Hibs' attempted clearance from the set-piece.

Gallacher continued to cause problems for the home side, and she delivered a dangerous cross into the box minutes after her goal, but there was no one to get on the end of the ball.

After a period of Celtic domination, the home side looked to catch the Hoops out and Tajonar was forced into another save from a dangerous free-kick into the penalty area.

As the half time break approached, Celtic doubled their lead from another set-play. Lisa Robertson played her part in the first goal, putting in a great corner which was turned home by Gallacher.

And the midfielder played another pin-point cross into the box for the second, finding Caitlin Hayes who jumped highest, giving Haaland no chance with her powerful header from close-range.

The Hoops continued to enjoy the lion's share of possession and opportunities going into the second half as they looked to secure the victory with a third goal.

Haaland was forced into a number of saves, tipping Robertson’s long-range strike over the crossbar, before making a brilliant close-range save from Liv Chance’s powerful effort.

The Celts also remained resolute at the back, stopping any of the home side’s attempts to counter or trouble Tajonar’s goal.

There was to be no further scoring in a game that Celtic thoroughly deserved to win, and the Hoops now head into the spilt sitting second in the SWPL.

Next weekend is a brief break from league action, though, with the Hoops taking on Hearts in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.

CELTIC: Tajonar, Otoo (O’Riordan 87), Robertson, Gallacher, Jacynta (McAneny 64), Shen (Fergusson 87), Chance, Clark, Kerner, Hayes, Menglu (Bowie 77).
Subs: Goldie, Halliday

Capital gains for Celtic with victory over Hibernian