Tonight Celtic FC Women take on Rangers under the lights of the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie as we look to secure our place in the Sky Sports League Cup Final. A giant crowd is expected for what promises to be an exciting match, with fans from either club sharing the same position. This will be Swedish coach Elena Sadiku’s first game in charge of the Hoops, so it is a real baptism of fire position for Celtic’s queen of queens.
Celtic last met theRangers in an SWPL match back in October. After going one up, Celtic sat deep and allowed theRangers back into the game and they came out on top with a 2-1 victory, a result that Celtic could have had no complaints about.
Tonight, Celtic will be looking to regain merit over their big-name rivals and reigning League Cup champions.
Celtic’s journey to the semi-final has been characterised by entertaining, attacking football. Entering the competition in the second round, the Celts cruised into the quarter finals with a 6-0 victory away to Hamilton Accies. A home tie against Glasgow City awaited us in the quarters, and we came out on top with three goals from three different goal scorers and that was a real statement of intent from Fran Alonso’s side.
Our opponents had a tougher time against Hearts in the capital, but they came out on top with a 4-1 win. An easier draw against Boroughmuir Thistle awaited the Rangers team in the quarter-finals, and they exploded. the SWPL2 team, scoring seven goals.
Both groups have been in form all season. In their last five games, Rangers won all five games, with Celtic winning 4 and draws. And the Rangers scored 38 goals and conceded none. Celtic scored 37 and conceded one.
Of course, the new Celtic manager hopes to get off to a smart start in her new role. Speaking to the media at Celtic Park yesterday, Elena said: “Tomorrow is the last one. Either we win or we lose, and if we lose, we are eliminated. It’s a great fit to start with and I’m excited.
At the media conference, Elena gave an update on the squad. She said: “I think players that have been out are still going to be out.” Not good news, as we had all hoped striker Kit Loferski would have returned to the match-day squad by now. Hopefully we can see her sooner rather than later, and that her injury hasn’t turned long-term.
Fran Alonso had planned to return Loferski for this match and also indicated that he would consider signing a striker in the January transfer window. His departure just before Christmas has obviously had an impact on Celtic’s plans for the month of January. window, but there are intentions to recruit more signings to help Elena in the second part of the season, with the 3 trophies still to be played.
Celtic star Maria McAneny spoke to Celtic TV at Hampden earlier this week ahead of tonight’s semi-final against theRangers. Maria said: “It’s a great opportunity for us to go out and prove ourselves after the last game. We’ve still got the Scottish Cup in our hands and after last year with the league cup, getting put out quite early, we want to go and redeem ourselves. Hopefully we can do that on Friday.
“All eyes are on this game. This is Elena’s first game. She will have to act herself; The girls will have to do it for her. I think they’re just weapons for this game. All the women are excited [about the paintings]. “with Elena]. It’s a new challenge for all of us, it’s a new chapter.
“Having it as a home game is an advantage. Being able to see the fans, I think everyone will be willing. Hopefully we can go out and put on an exhibit for everybody.
“We’re all excited. They’ve given us momentum, it’s just been given to us to keep the momentum going into Friday. “
Maria McAneny spoke to @CelticTV at a media event at Hampden Park ahead of the #SkySportsCup semi-final on Friday night #CELRAN | #COYGIG pic. twitter. com/PEFgfGZZ2f
— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) January 16, 2024
Sean Murdoch will have the whistle this evening and he will be assisted by Liam MacDougall and Robbie Fraser. The Fourth Official will be Thomas Denholm and for the lurkers Willie Collum will handling our interests on VAR*.
The semi-final match of the Sky Sports League Cup, Celtic FC Women vs theRangers, will take place at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie and the kick-off time will be at 7:35pm. m. Allow plenty of time, as nearby roads tend to be very crowded. when the Glasgow Women’s Derby takes place.
The position will be the Excelsior Stadium, Friday night under the lights after 3 weeks without Celtic action. Alternatively, the match will be broadcast live on BBC Alba, channel 117.
Ever the optimist when it comes to Celtic FC Women, I do however recognise that the Ghirls go into this evening’s match as underdogs and with a weakened squad plus the managerial change is a factor. That said this Celtic squad has a core of players who are used to getting results in the Glasgow Derby and hopefully tonight there’s more of the same against an opponent who strengthened considerably in the summer.
My score prediction? I think Elena is going to get off to a brilliant start and we’ll pull off a 1-0 victory in front of a large and enthusiastic Celtic support. What an introduction to her time as Celtic manager that would be for the Queen of Queens.
COYGIG!
Jessica Elliott
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