Five-star Celts sparkle in Paradise win | OneFootball

SWPLSunday, April 21, 2024Celtic Park

CELTIC… 5(Ashworth-Clifford 3, Agnew 24, 29, 60, Flint 53)

HEARTS… 0

It was the perfect afternoon for Celtic FC Women on their return to Paradise as the Ghirls ran out 5-0 winners over Hearts.

Putting in a five-star performance at Celtic Park, goals from Lucy Ashworth-Clifford, Tash Flint and a Murphy Agnew hat-trick sealed victory for the Celts against the Tynecastle side.

The Hoops headed into the game full of confidence, having taken top spot in the SWPL during midweek thanks to their win against Hibernian at the Excelsior Stadium.

And that confidence was showing inside the opening stages of the match as Elena Sadiku’s side took the lead with just three minutes played.

Delivering a cross from the left-hand side, Lucy Ashworth-Clifford’s ball into the box caught everyone by surprise, nestling into the far corner of the net to hand the Ghirls a well-deserved early advantage.

Having made the perfect start to their return to Paradise, the Celts continued to pile on the pressure with the away side struggling to cope in the early stages of the match.

And it didn’t take long for the second goal to come as Murphy Agnew got her first of three strikes for the day.

Pressing the visitors inside their own third of the patch, the Celts did brilliantly to win the ball back high up the pitch, which allowed Colette Cavanagh to play a first-time through ball to Murphy Agnew in behind the Hearts defence.

Remaining composed, the American made no mistake with her finish, slotting the ball beyond the goalkeeper and into the net.

Just five minutes after scoring her first of the afternoon, Agnew grabbed a quick-fire second, producing a similar composed finish inside the box on her right foot.

It was a first-half performance to be proud of for Elena Sadiku and her squad, and the intensity remained high going into the second half.

Just minutes after the restart, Agnew almost forced the Hearts backline into an error, but was unfortunate not to come away with the ball.

That was just a sign of things to come though as the Ghirls quickly grabbed a fourth at the beginning of the half.

Having scored on her previous two appearances at Celtic Park, Tash Flint was in the mood for another. Anticipating a loose pass back to the goalkeeper, the forward took a touch to compose herself, before slotting the ball home on the outside of her foot.

As the game hit the hour mark, Murphy Agnew was able to round off a fantastic first outing at Paradise by securing a hat-trick in front of the Celtic faithful.

In a similar manner to her first two goals, the American produced a well-taken curled finish into the far corner of the net.

Although there would be no more goals in the final half hour, it was an extremely satisfying afternoon for Elena Sadiku’s side, who maintained top spot in the SWPL.

And they will be looking to carry that momentum into another big game next weekend as the Celts take on Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden.