Celtic v theRangers – Team News, Where to Watch Kick-off Time | OneFootball

There’s a Glasgow Derby today to make up for the Bhoys being on international duties or sunning themselves in Dubai alongside former teammate Matt O’Riley.…

Bhoys in Dubai – Matt O’Riley’s Football Friends photo from Instagram

It’s an SWPL1 showdown and it’s an absolutely critical game for defending Champions Celtic as they look to leapfrog theRangers in the table…

Celtic FC Women celebrate their first ever SWPL1 title win at Celtic Park in May 2024. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

As things stand

Glasgow City are currently leading the way on 31 points and have a relatively easy game today against Queen’s Park. It would be a massive surprise if they slipped up in that one. Their four title challengers are playing Derby matches with Celtic v theRangers first up in the midday kick-off while Hearts take on Hibs later in the afternoon (4.10pm kick-off, live on BBC ALBA).

The Celtic End – Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

As things stand theRangers and Hearts are on 30 points, while Celtic have 29 and Hibs on 26 points. Hibs will feel that they need the three points today if they are to stay in the title chasing back and not fall seven points behind their city rivals.

Celtic can leapfrog theRangers with a win today and a win for Elena Sadiku’s side will see the Ghirls go to the top of the league ahead of the other matches kicking off.

Celtic Team News

Caitlin Hayes and Elena Sakiku all smiles on Wednesday night at Celtic Park, UEFA Champions League, Celtic v Chelsea. 13 November 2024. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Caitlin Hayes is likely to be back in the starting line-up after being ‘rested’ for the two games ahead of the Chelsea match in the UWCL on Wednesday night at Celtic Park. Colette Cavanagh is also a decent shout for a start. Celtic daft, she had a season at today’s opponents and always relishes wearing the Hoops against them. Up front both Morgan Cross and Saoirse Noonan started on the bench against Chelsea but one could get a start this afternoon.

Kit Loferski remains injured but returning shortly, that is beginning to sound like a broken record. Her pace and scoring ability is a real miss. The unlucky Hana Kerner is still sidelined.

Celtic Manager’s View

Elena Sadiku speaking to Celtic TV after the match. Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Elena Sadiku and Lucy Ashworth-Clifford spoke to the media on Friday afternoon ahead of today’s crucial SWPL1 Glasgow Derby match against theRangers.  Looking back on the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea in the UWCL on Wednesday night there were mixed emotions from the Albanian Swede.

“We were buzzing after the game but also gutted,” the Celtic FC Women Head Coach said. “I think the girls deserved so much more for that performance. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t all be very excited for Sunday. We’re playing against a good opponent. We know what kind of team (the)Rangers are, what their threats are and how we can exploit them.

The Ghirls show their appreciation for the support. Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

“The players put in 120 minutes against Glasgow City and then a brilliant performance against Chelsea and I don’t think they’re happy, I think they want more. And they should want more because we have great quality in the squad.”

Last time around at Broadwood, Sadiku found herself in trouble with the referee who had allowed an opener from theRangers to stand with a player three yards offside standing right in front of Celtic goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty, then awarded a penalty after the ball struck Emma Lawson’s arm a yard outside the box.

That gave theRangers a 2-0 lead and Sadiku told the referee that he had gifted two goals to them. That got her a yellow. Incidentally she was 100% correct in her assessment.

Celtic team photo. Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

The never-say-die attitude in this Celtic squad was apparent though as they pulled back the two goal deficit in the second half and agonisingly Irish striker Saoirse Noonan, usually so deadly, had a great chance to win it with the last kick of the ball with theRangers keeper stranded, but hit her effort just over the bar.

Sadiku’s focus was on the poorer showing in the first half of that game and she wants a better performance today. “When we started against (the)Rangers, we had the ball, we broke through the pressure but we didn’t create many chances  which can make the players a bit frustrated.

“But at the same time, there was a feeling at half time that we can do it. That belief needs to be there from the start. For me, it’s about being confident and brave from the start and showing how much we want to win the game and not wait until half time.”

Celtic team line up for the Champions League anthem. Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Asked if she enjoys these big matches against theRangers, Sadiku was in no doubt about how much she enjoys playing them. “I love it. There’s a different atmosphere around these games. Obviously there are two teams who want to do everything they can to win. There’s a lot of passion in those games and that makes everything more exciting and fun for me.”

Celtic Player’s View

There’s a classic wee comment from Lucy Ashworth-Clifford at the end of Friday’s media conference which she attended alongside her manager.  As mentioned above Elena Sadiku was talking about her own booking in the last game against theRangers then suggested that she should maybe start to impose fines for bookings – on herself and also her players. Lucy jumped in and said that you can’t do that…“BECAUSE NATALIE ROSS WOULD BE SKINT!”

Natalie Ross of Celtic scores the winning penalty and books her sides place in the semi final draw during the Sky Sports Cup 1/4 Final. Partick Celtic v Glasgow City. New Douglas Park, Hamilton, 10/11/2024. Image Credit: Colin Poultney/SWPL

There’s no doubt that Lucy Ashworth-Clifford is never found wanting in these games. The English lass has also been known to score some spectacular goals and asked if she could land one today she said she’d see what she can do!

“I had come from Manchester and Liverpool derbies and even that is nothing compared to what goes on up here, and it brings you just even more into these games. I did my knee against (the)Rangers the first time I played them, and I have a bit of angsts about that as I feel I have still got more to prove.

“So it’s nice to come back and to be able to play those fixtures and not have to be nervous about them anymore, and just go in full whack.”

Celtic wing-back Lucy Ashworth Clifford in action against theRangers. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Lucy also outlined her thoughts on where the title race is at the moment. “It’s early days, we are only in November, I don’t know where we were at this point last season, but it was probably around the same mark. I think it was still neck and neck then, it was neck and neck until the very last game, and I think that makes it more exciting.

“As you can see, Hearts and Hibs are up there as well. That just shows how good the league is getting, and the quality that it has. Teams are taking points off teams and that just shows that what we need to do in every game is just as important as it is in the next one.

“I think it’s the same as any other game to be honest, we do the same things against (the)Rangers that we would do against any other team. But, obviously it’s a good occasion and we can really sell ourselves.”

Match Officials

Today’s SWPL1 match between Celtic FC Women and theRangers will be refereed by Jamie Wilkie who will be assisted by Jamie Andrews and Kieran Whalen.  There is currently no VAR in the SWPL1, something we have got to look forward to in coming seasons. We certainly could have been doing with it in the last game as the two Honest Mistakes were glaring errors.

Kick off-Time & Ticket Details

Celtic v theRangers kicks off at midday  (CPT) at New Douglas Park in Hamilton, on Sunday 17 November. It’s a lovely day, why not get along to New Douglas Park and give the Ghirls your support? Tickets are available HERE.

Where to Watch

If you can’t make it along to New Douglas Park to roar on the Ghirls, the game is live on Sky Sports.

Score Prediction

Celtic striker Morgan Cross in action against theRangers. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Heavy legs from some of the players, so squad rotation is an absolute must as is substantial contributions being needed for the bench. Celtic have developed by playing the intense football at the highest level in the Champions League and hopefully there’s enough left in the tank to get the three points today with a 1-0 win with young Morgan Cross grabbing the glory for the Ghirls.

COYGIG!

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