Celtic FC Women exit Sky Sports Cup after conceding twice in three minutes | OneFootball

Elena Sadiku reckoned her Celtic FC Women side were the dominant force in what was a pretty scrappy goalless first half in the Sky Sports semi-final against theRangers Women at New Douglas Park yesterday afternoon…

Elena Sadiku, Celtic FC Women v theRangers, New Douglas Park, Sky Sports Cup semi-final. Sunday 19 January 2025. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

The major talking point seemed to be the performance of referee Abbie Hendry who seemed to struggle with the basic laws of the game, with her decision making mostly going against Celtic. Two blatant fouls that could easily have merited yellow cards were totally ignored by Hendry, much to the annoyance of the home support at Hamilton.

Not that this made much difference to the outcome but if the women’s game is to develop that that level of refereeing cannot be tolerated. There was one penalty shout for Celtic that fall well within the ‘seen them given category’ but as you would expect there was nothing doing.

Celtic FC Women v theRangers, New Douglas Park, Sky Sports Cup semi-final. Sunday 19 January 2025. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Sadiku’s half-time team talk though went out the window as Kelly Clark opted to leave a cutback cross from a corner and allowed Rio Hardy to tap in from close range moments after the restart. Things went from bad to worse moments later when half-time substitute Colette Cavaghan was penalised, and booked, for winning the ball just outside the Celtic penalty area.

Lucy Asworth Clifford in action against theRangers. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Logan took great care in setting up the Celtic wall and seemed overly cornered about the near side. Seeing an opportunity Katie Wilkinson placed her effort in the far corner that had the Celtic keeper scrambling across her line in vain. So with three minutes into the second half Celtic were 2-0 down.

The Rangers manager was then shown a red card for holding onto the ball as a Celtic throw-in, Elena Sadiku then got a yellow for her ongoing complaints but on the park theRangers were seeing out the semi-final comfortably with little real threat coming their way.

Emma Lawton scores for Celtic but it’s not enough. Photo AJ )The Celtic Star)

In the closing stages Emma Lawton pulled one back for Celtic but it was a case of far too little too late and Celtic FC Women were once again knocked out of the Sky Sports Cup by theRangers at the semi-final stage.

TheRangers will play Hibs in the final but for Celtic the focus must return to closing the gap at the top of the SWPL1 where Glasgow City currently are well placed. Celtic’s commendable Champions League efforts certainly have been a factor but with that and the Sky Sports cup out the way then the team needs to put their focus into the retaining the title and perhaps adding some Scottish Cup glory too.

Amy Gallacher in action against theRangers. Photo AJ (the Celtic Star)

They will need to play much better than yesterday if any of that is going to happen, starting with the game against Hearts on Friday.

Here’s Elena Sadiku’s post match thoughts from her interview with Celtic TV…

Noonan’s first half effort goes just wide against theRangers. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

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