Team’s Up – Loferski, Flint and Gallacher all start for Celtic FC Women

Last time we faced each other in the Scottish Women’s Premier League, we beat Hibs 3-1 in Edinburgh. A goal from Caitlin Hayes and a Tash Flint brace pushed us to victory that day and we’ll be hoping for a repeat this evening.

Celtic FC Women is currently in second place, one point behind theRangers. We have a much better goal difference, meaning that if they were to draw against Hearts in the capital tonight, we could likely overtake them with either a victory.

As for our opponents, they’re fighting to be the “best of the rest” but they sit in fifth place, six points behind their Edinburgh rivals Hearts. They have a four-point cushion over Partick Thistle, but the Jags will be looking to reduce the gap, meaning Hibs would be happy with anything they can salvage from this tough away fixture.

Elena Sadiku was happy with our victory last time out and spoke briefly on tonight’s game. She said: “We’ve been talking about it [the game]. We keep on getting good performances and good results, so we just have to look ahead now. The girls can be happy with the performance, it’s time for recovery and when we train on Tuesday, it’s just about the next game.”

Team News

Elena continues to rotate the squad in this busy week with three games. Loads of attacking options in that team tonight with both Kit Loferski and the Goal Machine Tash Flint starting and Menglu is back in the side alongside Amy Gallacher who our editor interviewed yesterday on The Celtic Star.

Here’s the Celtic FC Women team to play Hibs this evening…

Squad Update

We could see Lisa Robertson again tonight, back on the bench after she made her return against Partick Thistle last time out. After a year out to have a baby, it’s going to take time to get the midfielder back to full match fitness.

The manager seems to be happy to back her too, saying in her last post-match interview: “[Lisa Robertson’s] game has been amazing in training. I’m a bit shocked how well she’s been doing after delivering a baby! Her mindset is also amazing. She deserved to play today, it’s not just me being nice and giving her the opportunity because she deserves it. It feels like we have a new player and I’m really pleased to have that.”

On Monday, Hana Kerner posted a photo of a balloon that read “Welcome back Hana” to her Instagram story. With this news, we’re likely to see her soon. Maybe not today, but definitely in the near future. She’s a top quality wing-back so that’s massive news for Celtic FC Women.

Match Officials

Ryan Kennedy will be taking the whistle this evening. Assisting him is Will Pare and Jamie Andrews. Keiran Trayner has been named as the Fourth Official.

Kick-off Time

This clash against Hibs kicks off at 19:45 at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie.

Where to Watch

Celtic FC Women vs Hibernian Women will sadly not be available to watch. Tickets are still available so if you’re nearby get over and support the Ghirls.

If you can’t make it and want to watch some SWPL action, the best game to tune into will be Hearts vs theRangers Women, which is being broadcast live on BBC Alba. As mentioned before, if we manage to beat Hibs, a draw in Edinburgh or a Hearts victory will mean that we go top of the table.

Score Prediction

I predict a 2-1 victory to Celtic, although our Editor tells me he thinks that Celtic will win 4-0 this evening. let’s see who gets closest! Hibs always seem to put one past us and I think Jorian Baucom is one of the best players in the country, so I can see it being a tight one. I do think we’ll come out on top in the end though.

COYGIG!

Jessica Elliott

ON CELTIC SHORTS…Celtic FC Women Photo Gallery – Sadiku completes Glasgow treble, beating Rangers, City and Thistle