Celtic 2-1 Rangers: Sadiku earns her first major scalp as Ghirls blow the title race wide open

By Ethan Barlow

Elena Sadiku is finding her feet in the Ghirls dugout after Old Firm victory (Image: Getty Images)

Celtic Women have injected life into this season’s title race by handing Rangers their first loss of the season. A first-half double from the Ghirls’ marquee January signing Natasha Flint saw off the league leaders despite Jane Ross’ second-half strike.

 

Flint opened the scoring after just five minutes. Her first attempt was saved by Jenna Fife, but she capitalised on the rebound first, to finish comfortably from close range. Within five minutes of the first half ending, Flint had her second. Lucy Ashworth-Clifford's cross caused problems for the Rangers defence and Tessel Middag’s mishit clearance fell perfectly for the Celtic striker to put the home side 2-0 up at the break. After a defensive shambles in the Celtic penalty area, Ross halved Rangers’ deficit, but Celtic held on for a monumental victory.

 

Elena Sadiku had a difficult act to follow in Fran Alonso. He brought a charismatic winning energy to Glasgow. The Spanish coach, who moved to NWSL side Houston Dynamo, was replaced by the Swedish manager at the beginning of the year. In Alonso’s three-year spell, he led his teams to two Scottish Cup triumphs and an SWPL Cup, but the Scottish Women’s Premier League always evaded the coach amid last season’s final-day heartbreak. Celtic still look for their first league championship and will have the opportunity to have a noisy Celtic Park atmosphere push them towards a possibly historic season.

 Here's what Sadiku said to Celtic TV after the match:

This St Patrick’s Day showdown may be looked upon as a possible turning point in where the bragging rights may head at the end of the season. Rangers looked unbeatable, and were, for 22 league matches until Sadiku’s side thwarted Jo Potter’s team on the Swede’s third attempt facing the Gers.

 

Celtic’s win at the Excelsior Stadium moves them just a single point behind their Old Firm rivals and brings Glasgow’s big three within a point of each other. Glasgow City looked to be out of the title race for good earlier in the season after a terrible start, but 11 straight wins have moved them right on the shoulders of their title rivals. You would imagine the holders and record winners will have a major say as to where the silverware is heading in this campaign. With nine of the 10 post-split games still to be played, there is certain to be a few more twists before we find out where the title is heading. Celtic, Rangers and Glasgow City return to league action in two weeks. Rangers’ SWPL cup final against Partick Thistle will be the only game to be played next weekend.

SportEthan Barlow