CELTIC Women will be aiming to win their first trophy since 2010, and only their second ever, when they meet holders Hibs in today’s SWPL Cup final at Broadwood. Their single triumph was a 4-1 win over Spartans in the same tournament seven years ago.
Since then Celtic haven’t reached the final of either domestic competition, so have it all to play for in the televised game, which kicks off at 4.05pm.
“It has been a long, long time,” admitted manager David Haley. The famine coincides with the domination of Glasgow City, who until today had contested every domestic final from 2012 onwards – but also Celtic’s own troubles.
“At the end of 2014 we lost a lot of players, so we basically had to start from scratch again with a lot of young players the following year.” Haley pointed out.
Two of those who left, Emma Brownlie and Abi Harrison, will be in the Hibs squad today, while a third, Heather Richards, has returned to Celtic following a spell with the Edinburgh club.
The two sides have already met twice in the league, and as recently as Tuesday night, when Hibs won 2-1 at Lennoxtown. They also won the first game, this time by 3-1. These results have badly dented Celtic’s hopes of a top-two finish, leaving the cups as their only realistic chances of silverware.
Hibs haven’t had their injury woes to seek, but head coach Chris Roberts has captain Joelle Murray available again as well as striker Lia Tweedie.
“We’ve played Celtic twice in the league in the space of four weeks,” Roberts confirmed. “Both were 0-0 at half-time. I expect a really tough game.”
Scottish Women’s Football admit they had reservations about using Broadwood. It is the home of Clyde, who signed striker David Goodwillie on a short contract in April. The player has been ruled a rapist by a civil court in Edinburgh.
“We want to point out the ground is owned by North Lanarkshire Council and not by Clyde Football Club,” a spokeswoman said.
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