Colette Cavanagh had a close-up view of last year’s dramatic SWPL title race. It’s just that she saw it from a very different side than Fran Alonso’s squad.
Cavanagh, who scored an 88th minute winner against Glasgow City on Thursday night to put Celtic two points clear of Rangers at the top of the table, was part of the Ibrox squad last year who lost out on the title on that crazy finale to the league.
Signed from Hibs where she had made the inaugural SWPL Team of the Year in 2022, Cavanagh struggled to impose herself on Malky Thomson’s side. This summer she moved back to Celtic, where her career began as a 16-year-old, and has made an immediate impression on Alonso’s midfield.
Celtic are now five points clear of City at the top - the reigning champions have now drawn with Rangers and lost to Celtic - and are the only team to boast a 100 per cent start to the domestic season.
“It is still very early in the season but I do think a result like that builds confidence and builds resilience,” said the 24-year-old.
“It happened against Hearts too, when we were two goals down and had enough to come back.
“I think these girls were so close last season and they got a taste for winning it. I think once they’ve got that it is hard to give it up.
“I felt it immediately when I came into the club and into the team that there is a real strive towards that title.
“There is talent and experience here. The girls have helped me massively here and the mindset is all about winning.
“Obviously I had a different perspective last season! It was a three-way title and I know just how close this team was to winning the league.
“I definitely think they are using it as motivation. We have had a good start but that is all it is.
“It is really important that we keep building on that now.”
Thursday night’s win means that Alonso’s side have beaten City in their last four games with an authenticity about Celtic’s title credentials.
“It was difficult [last season], “ said Cavanagh. “All three teams have lost big players. I thought all three were brilliant last season and it was a great showcase for the Scottish league.
“I have loved coming into Celtic and the players all made me feel really welcome. There were so many new arrivals but we have all gelled very quickly and I think what you feel more than anything is a real desire in the squad.
“Defeat isn’t an option, drawing games isn’t an option. All we want is to win every game and you get that impression from the very first training session.
“The goal on Thursday happened so quickly. I just chested the ball down and swung my right-foot, which isn’t my strongest, and hoped for the best.
“I was delighted to see it go in and I think we deserved it.”
