“We're more than capable of retaining our title”: Celtic’s Shannon McGregor backs her side heading into split
Image Supplied by SWPL - Celtic’s Shannon McGregor backs her side to retain their trophy.
By Jack Cranmer
Celtic are in familiar surroundings heading into this year’s SWPL top six split, as once again they are chasing the league leaders going into the final 10 fixtures of the season.
Last season Celtic managed to win the title in the most dramatic fashion at Celtic Park.
A last-minute winner from Amy McGregor against Hibernian saw her side pinch the title from Rangers on goal difference and make history as the first female Celtic side to become Scottish champions.
This year is a similar story with Celtic sitting 4th, a point behind rivals Rangers and three behind Hibs and league leaders Glasgow City. But midfielder Shannon McGregor feels her side can once again come out of the split on top.
Speaking at this week’s SWPL media event she said: “We've got a good bunch of girls that have got the mentality to turn it round.
“We've dropped points recently and we’re not where we want to be at the moment, but we've definitely got the capability to get back up there.”
McGregor is in her debut campaign with the Hoops, the team she grew up supporting, and her Hibernian side were on the receiving end of last year’s title winning goal but she believes a good run of results and a quicker title win would be much better than another adrenaline fuelled finish.
She said: “Obviously I wasn't there last season, but I think I'd rather have my feet up and know that I've got the title and the trophy coming.”
With some disappointing recent results including a draw with league leaders Glasgow City and a defeat to McGregor’s former side Hibs, she and her team know the importance of returning to form against the teams surrounding them.
She said: “We've got the ability to turn it around and we've definitely got the mentality to do that as well.
“This split is going to be really interesting but we're more than capable of retaining our title.”
The final game of Celtic’s season is a home match with 6th placed Motherwell, currently scheduled to take place at New Douglas Park.
With the men’s post-split fixtures still to be decided and released, the side may be unable to play their final match at Celtic Park as they did last season if the men’s side are also drawn at home on the same day.
McGregor however feels that despite the boost the Parkhead faithful give the side that they can win no matter where they play.
She said: “It's great for us to be playing at Celtic Park and having a huge crowd. But if I’m going to win a league, I dont care where it is, whether it be Celtic Park or anywhere else.”
Last season’s title came down to goal difference but with Jo Potter’s Rangers’ side blowing every other side away in the scoring charts, McGregor and her Celtic team know how important three points in the season’s final Old Firm derbies will be.
She said: “All we're focusing on is winning these matches and not the goal difference, of course it mattered last year, but that's not something we're focusing on.
“All we’re focused on is three points.”
Celtic kick off their post split fixtures with a trip to 5th placed Hearts on Sunday afternoon.