Celtic close in on rivals, Morgan Cross nets first goal for Hoops

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The Celtic Star

·22 October 2024

Celtic close in on rivals, Morgan Cross nets first goal for Hoops

Elena Sadiku praised her side for securing the three points with a 1-0 victory over Spartans in the SWPL but insisted performance levels must improve…

October 17, 2024, Valdebebas, Madrid, SPAIN: Elena Sadiku, head coach of Celtic, gestures during the UEFA WomenÃââ s Champions League, Group B, football match played between Real Madrid and Celtic FC at Alfredo Di Stefano stadium on October 17, 2024, in Valdebebas, Madrid, Spain. Photo Dennis Agyeman

An inaugural victory at Celtic FC Women’s new home at New Douglas Park on Sunday made the table look better for the Hoops following last weekend’s dreadful 1-0 defeat away to Hearts. Celtic gained ground on both Hibs and theRangers who both dropped two points in their 1-1 draw. Hibs will be kicking themselves after missing a penalty in the closing stages that would have doubled their lead before conceding a sickening equaliser deep into stoppage time.

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Morgan Cross scores her first goal for Celtic to win Celtic the three points against Spartans. Photo Celtic FC

Morgan Cross netted her first goal for the Hoops after nine minutes, but Celtic could not increase their lead further with a defiant Spartans side staying resolute defensively.

Watch Morgan’s first Celtic goal in Celtic TV’s Unique Angle…

A gruelling performance in the Spanish capital

Coming off the back of a gruelling performance in the Spanish capital versus Real Madrid midweek, it is understandable there was something of a European hangover. However, should Sadiku’s team want to play consistently at the elite stage, switching back to domestic duties will need to become natural and cannot be used as an excuse for an underwhelming display. That said it’s all part of the experience gained from playing Champions League elite level football.

Alba Redondo of Real Madrid is challenged by Lucy Ashworth-Clifford of Celtic during the UEFA Women’s Champions League match between Real Madrid CF and Celtic FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on October 17, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Celtic can close the gap with game in hand

Sunday’s victory over Spartans ended the Celts ropey spell of going four games without a win in all competitions. Celtic remain fifth in the SWPL table but are now level on points with Hibs. Sadiku’s side still sit four points behind Hearts and theRangers whilst trailing five behind league leaders Glasgow City. Celtic’s game in hand against Queens Park at the beginning of November will be a massive chance to close the gap on the top four and leapfrog the Hibees in the process.

With no Champions League fixture this midweek and no game at the weekend due to the international break, Sadiku’s team will have time to rest up and prepare for their league clash with Motherwell on Sunday 3 November.

Watch Elena Sadiku’s post-match interview with Celtic TV…

“None of us are really happy with the performance”

Speaking to Celtic TV post-match on Sunday, the Swede outlined, “Obviously we are happy with the win, it gets us back on the winning track. But I think that none of us are really happy with the performance. “After scoring early on, our reaction maybe could have been to push on more. With an early goal, we should be buzzing and excited to score another.”

“But I just feel like it was not that reaction that we saw. Obviously, we tried to create more chances throughout the game. I think we were just not us today, we made a few too many mistakes with the ball that we don’t usually do. We have talked about that, and we are frustrated that we didn’t do better. But we’ll take the win and move forward.”

Shannon McGregor, who has received a Scotland call-up, also spoke to Celtic TV after the 1-0 over Spartans.

The takeaways from the weekend is that two of the top five dropped points so it was a bad round of fixtures for both theRangers and Hibs. The big winners were probably Glasgow City as they are gaining momentum and are now clear at the top. However for Celtic after giving absolutely everything against Real Madrid to gain ground on theRangers and also Hibs (who can’t be discounted) then is a positive manner in which to head into the international break.

Having won the title on goal difference last season, Celtic currently are in fifth spot because our goal difference is worse than Hibs’ and it’s also worse than the rest of the sides above us! Tells you that Celtic aren’t scoring enough goals in the games against the bottom half of the table, as the 1-0 win over Spartans clearly suggests.

Players of Celtic pose for a team photograph prior to the UEFA Women’s Champions League match between Real Madrid CF and Celtic FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on October 17, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Anyway on the back of Madrid, that was a good weekend for Celtic FC Women. So cheer up Elena, your Ghirls are doing us proud!

Best of luck to all the Ghirls away on international duty this week, including of course Shannon.

Conor Spence

🗣️ "Of course, it’s important to get three points today too though. We need to be winning these games, and that is the most important thing." Shannon McGregor: Vital three points for us on return to league action 🗞️ #CELSPA | #CelticFC🍀
– Monday, 21 October 2024