Hibernian have demonstrated the appetite that exists for Scottish women’s football with a brilliant Saturday announcement that shows what is possible for Celtic this season.
A massive 6,000 people will be in attendance to watch the upcoming Edinburgh derby against Hearts at Easter Road after Hibs made the tickets available for free.
The match takes place on Wednesday night under the lights and is sure to be an occasion to savour, doubling Hibs Women’s record crowd from 2016 when they faced Bayern Munich in the Women’s Champions League.
How does this relate to Celtic? Well, a similarly brilliant crowd is surely on the cards for Fran Alonso’s side this season.
The club confirmed over the summer that men’s first-team season ticket holders would get free entry to one SWPL 1 match at Celtic Park.
If Celtic are bold, they’ll make that free match against Rangers, just like Hibs have done against arch-rivals Hearts.
Celtic have an upcoming double-header against Rangers at the end of October and early November. We play away first before a home game on 7th November.
The men’s first-team play away to Dundee that day so there could be scope for a Celtic Park kick-off. If not, surely the option of moving the match should be explored?
A derby like this, with free tickets available, would ensure a bumper crowd at Celtic Park. It could bring the women’s teams to thousands of new people, after already increased interest in the team over the last 12 months.
Last season’s title race with Glasgow City and Rangers really captured the imagination of supporters and everyone is hoping Fran Alonso’s team can compete again this term.
After an opening day win and a battling draw against City in the league last week, there’s a good chance of that.
Celtic FC Women play at home to Hibs tomorrow in a match live on BBC Sport Scotland.
In other news, Celtic youngster impresses out on loan with crucial Saturday goal.
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