Celtic FC Women picked up their third derby win of the season over Rangers this afternoon.
The 2-1 victory catapults the team into a Champions League qualifying position in SWPL 1.
Captain Kelly Clark had Fran Alonso’s team ahead in the first half, powering home a header from a quality corner.
Rachel McLaughlan hit back for Rangers quickly, speculatively launching a shot that goalkeeper Chloe Logan would have wanted to do better with.
Logan made amends before half-time with a quality save, however, showing off her shot-stopping prowess from a powerful Rangers effort.
The remainder of the match was a tense affair. The players sensed what was at stake and neither side managed to grab control of the encounter.
However, another close-range header from a corner, this time from Sarah Ewens, earned Celtic the spoils and derby bragging rights.
The Celtic win sees them leapfrog their rivals into the second spot in SWPL 1 with just three games remaining. As it stands, Rangers are two points behind.
It’s a crucial battle with the league runners-up taking a place in the first round of next season’s Women’s Champions League.
Alonso’s side now have must-win matches against Hibernian, Forfar Farmington and Motherwell over the next two weeks.
Win all three and it’s European football for Celtic FC Women, which would be a brilliant achievement.
Rangers could well drop more points, especially on the final day against league leaders and likely champions Glasgow City.
Exciting days ahead!
In other news, Celtic UEFA qualifying this summer explained.
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