Celtic produced a famous win over Glasgow City in front of a record crowd of 9,553 at Celtic Park to keep their SWPL title hopes alive. The match was the biggest attendance for a domestic women’s game in Scotland and saw Celtic move above Rangers on goal difference and to within two points of leaders City. Lauren Davidson opened the scoring with a neat finish from close range, however, Natasha Flint’s rasping drive levelled the score before Claire O’Riordan’s header turned the game around and Kit Loferski finished it off with a driving run and finish. This result means that the three-horse race for the title continues with two games to go, with Rangers and City going head-to-head on the final day of the season next Sunday. Celtic’s superior goal difference may well prove to be the difference in the battle for the league flag.
The big match was set up as a big occasion, with Celtic’s usual home of Airdrie swapped for Celtic Park. Thousands of Celtic’s ultras provided a thumping and hostile soundtrack behind the goal, whilst City’s small band of supporters were celebrating when Davidson weaved her way through the Celtic defence and struck after 20 minutes. Amy Gallacher, Flint and Jacynta all failed to hit the target as Celtic tried to rally, but Pamela Tajonar kept them in the game when she tipped Anna Oskarsson’s header around the post. Fran Alonso’s side then found another gear, with Flint lashing a right-foot shot low into the corner through the fingers of Lee Gibson to draw Celtic level. Loferski then outpaced the City defence and calmly knocked the ball past Gibson to make it three, whilst Flint headed off the crossbar and Gibson scrambled to push away the rebound.
Celtic travel to Hibernian on Sunday (13:10 BST), Glasgow City are at home to Partick Thistle (16:10) and defending champions Rangers are away to Hearts (15:00). The following week, Celtic host Hearts while City visit Rangers. With two games left, the title race is still wide open and Celtic will be hoping their superior goal difference will be enough to secure them the league flag.