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This may be Celtic’s year for a SWPL all-time first name, according to Hearts manager Eva Olid.
The Spaniard admitted it was a tricky task at Celtic Park as her side were dismantled 5-0. A Murphy Agnew hat-trick ended with goals from Lucy Ashworth-Clifford and Natasha Flint as Celtic crushed Hearts. It restored Celtic’s two-point lead to the most sensible of the table and also gave great flavour to their difference in purpose; That’s 16 more goals than their closest rivals, Rangers.
Jo Potter’s side lost to Hearts at the Oriam on Wednesday night against Olid, having faced both sides in five days, believing Celtic looked like champions. Asked who he thought would emerge victorious, he replied: “For me, Celtic. And very clear when I watch football, I see them betting on a proprietary game and I see them betting on a game sample from years ago.
“They have technical players with a lot of quality. They have worked in combination with the same models and you can see that they are very prepared. I think this year is Celtic’s year.
Admittedly, there was no sign that Celtic were feeling pressure in this one. They entered the game knowing the Rangers were back at the top of the table after their 3-1 win over Partick Thistle at the start of kick-off. Glasgow City also beat Hibs 1-0, a result that helps them stay four points behind Rangers and six behind Celtic. “I don’t care what other teams do,” Hoops boss Sadiku said.
“The only focus is on us. It may not replace pressure. All we want to focus on is ourselves. We’ve done well and that’s something women are sure of. Our goal is the same for each and every person. Every game is about concentrating and scoring, and that’s what the players did. “They seem to be enjoying the taste of the game. “
The impressive goal difference did not go unnoticed by the Swede. Ashworth-Clifford set the tone by opening the scoring after just 3 minutes. Celtic didn’t look back as the disjointed, leggy Hearts were the architects of their own downfall with a desperate response. Poor defense.
“We have to think about it, but it’s also the way we play football,” Sadicu said. “We like to create chances and score goals. We know the goal difference, but I think we can put pressure on each one and make sure that every game continues to be artistic and for scoring purposes because we do it well. “
The only sadness was a crowd of just 3,687 for the match at Celtic Park, a sharp drop from last season’s record attendance of 15,822 for the final game of the season.
At the other end of the table, Dundee United are still three points behind Hamilton Accies. Both were beaten: Accies lost 3-0 to Spartans, while United were on the wrong side of a 5-1 loss to Aberdeen. Elsewhere, Motherwell beat Montrose. 2-1.