ANY doubts about the wisdom of introducing an SWPL split this season have been dispelled by recent events. Last Sunday's game between Glasgow City and Celtic was the best I can recall between two Scottish teams since the 2019 Scottish Cup final between City and Hibernian.
That Tynecastle encounter saw the lead change hands three times before two late Clare Shine goals gave City a 4-3 victory. There wasn't the same see-saw feel to last Sunday's game, but the 4-2 Celtic win was achieved after 90 minutes of drama, excitement and quality, with Scotland goalkeeper Lee Gibson saving two penalties.
It was followed on Wednesday by Rangers' 2-1 win over City. The game itself didn't reach the same peaks, but the finale was more dramatic with Kirsty Howat's winner coming in the fifth and final minute of time added on after Jenna Clark had equalised for City in the 86thminute.
“Absolutely,” Celtic captain Kelly Clark replied when asked at Hampden on Thursday if last Sunday's game had provided the best entertainment since the 2019 Tynecastle classic. “It was end-to-end football, a lot hinging on the game, especially on our side, good goals, quality, hard tackles in the middle of the park, flair, pace – the game had everything
“We also had the two penalties which Lee did fantastically to save. We came out on top, but what an advert for women's football. It was genuinely excellent and that's the kind of game you want to play in.”
Just three points now separate the top three teams and, thanks to the split, they still have to meet each other once more in the league. While it may be prematurely ageing Leanne Ross, Fran Alonso and Malky Thomson, it is vastly better entertainment than routine wins against bottom six sides which were the previous end of season fare.
“The fact that three teams can win the title is only a good thing for our growth,” Clark pointed out. “With all respect to Glasgow City, before last season they ran away with the league for years, and even when Hibs were finishing second year-on-year it was always done early.
“What is happening now will attract fans – every game means so much and that's when you are likely to get the best out of good players because that's when they stand up. It's great viewing, and that every single one of the remaining league games is massive is such a good thing.”
City and Celtic, of course, meet again today in the Scottish Cup at Hampden, with the winner going on to meet Rangers. The latter beat Motherwell 2-0 in yesterday's first semi-final - headed goals in each half from Hannah Davison and Chelsea Cornet settling the issue.
City head coach Ross, who captained the 2019 Scottish Cup winning side, faces a huge test at the national stadium. Last Sunday morning her side enjoyed an eight point SWPL lead over today's opponents, but after the subsequent successive defeats it is now just two, with Rangers only a point further adrift.
As the ultimate winners' winner, former Scotland player Ross was dismayed by her side's first half attitude and performances in the Celtic and Rangers games. Some players who have been stand-out performers this season didn't show up when it mattered most, and their head coach will be expecting better on Hampden's wide expanses today.
HANNAH Davison was following in illustrious footsteps when she became the first player to score a goal in a domestic women's match at Hampden. The first female player to find the net in any game at the national stadium was Kim Little back in 2012.
The occasion was the Euro 2013 play-off against Spain and there was palpable excitement among the Scotland players when they visited the ground a couple of days ahead of the first leg match. The opportunity to play at Hampden was unthinkable for those who had come before.
Admission was free, and despite there being a full card of Saturday men's matches 4058 fans turned up for the game. Again, it was a remarkable crowd for a women's game in Scotland.
Little scored from the spot to put Scotland ahead after 26 minutes, but Adriana Martin equalised to make the final score 1-1. The second leg in Spain was one of the most momentous games ever played by the national team – it went to extra time and Scotland, who would have won on away goals, were denied a first-ever major championship appearance when the home side scored deep into the second and final minute of time added on.
