Celtic FC Women came away from Broadwood with a hard-fought point after a 1-1 draw against Rangers in the Glasgow derby, showing determination and resilience to claw their way back after falling behind early. The match, played just after the conclusion of the April international break, marked the Hoops’ return to domestic action following a 16-day gap in competitive fixtures. With the title race heating up and eight games remaining, this clash carried significant weight as Elena Sadiku’s side aimed to maintain momentum and keep pace at the top as the Celtic ladies eye a Champions League spot.
This win will give the Celtic FC women’s squad a serious morale boost and help keep their chase for Champions League football, with many hopeful fans backing the Celtic ladies to defy critics and be named the female champions of Scotland. Many of the best betting sites where punters can back the Celtic ladies offer swift payouts, flexible transaction methods, diverse football sports betting markets, and exciting bonuses.
Celtics crucial result against Rangers started evenly, both sides taking their time to settle back into rhythm after the pause in the league schedule. Despite the balanced beginning, it was Rangers who broke the deadlock in the opening ten minutes. Kirsty Howat found space and produced a composed finish into the top corner, giving the home side an early advantage and forcing Celtic to chase the game from that point.
Rather than letting the setback affect their confidence, the Ghirls responded positively and gradually began to control more of the possession and territory. Kit Loferski used her pace to stretch the Rangers’ defence, especially down the right flank, whipping in several crosses in search of Saoirse Noonan. While the delivery often had too much pace or drifted beyond its target, the intention and attacking intent were evident. Noonan, however, did find herself with an opportunity soon after, as a loose ball from a corner found her in the box. Her effort, taken on her weaker foot, narrowly missed the target, skimming past the post.
Celtic’s chances began to mount as Celya Barclais and Maria McAneny both got into promising positions, only to be denied by determined defensive efforts from the Rangers’ back line. Despite being behind, the Hoops looked the more dangerous of the two teams going into the interval, with several players threatening to bring their side back into the game. The first-half performance, though lacking a goal, showcased the team’s composure and ability to build chances under pressure.
The second half saw Celtic carry their momentum forward. Lucy Ashworth-Clifford was particularly active on the left wing, regularly delivering inviting balls into the box, though either the angles were too tight or the timing of the runs was slightly off. Midfielder Momo Nakoa, playing in her first Glasgow derby, contributed effectively in midfield and nearly picked out Noonan with a clever pass inside the area, only for the final touch to elude the forward.
As the clock ticked into the final 25 minutes, Sadiku made tactical adjustments, introducing fresh legs to help push for an equaliser. One of the substitutes, Amy Gallacher, made an immediate difference. Celtic’s equaliser came from a fluid team move that shifted the ball across the field to the right-hand side. Emma Lawton found space and delivered a smart ball into Gallacher’s path on the edge of the box. The forward did not hesitate, placing a confident strike into the back of the net and drawing the sides level with just over 20 minutes to play.
The goal injected even more energy into the visitors, who kept pressing for a second. Free kicks and half-chances continued to come Celtic’s way as they camped out in Rangers’ territory, hoping to snatch all three points late on. Despite their best efforts, including a series of threatening deliveries into the penalty area, they couldn’t find the decisive touch to complete the comeback.
In the end, the match concluded in a draw, but the performance reflected the determination and grit that has become a trademark of this Celtic side under Sadiku. The result adds a valuable point to their tally as the season edges closer to its conclusion in one of the most exciting title races in Europe. Next up, the Hoops will host Hibernian at New Douglas Park, looking to build on this solid display and push forward in the title race. The derby may not have ended in victory, but the spirit shown will give the squad belief heading into the final stretch.
