The Celtic Women have officially raised a glass and matched their male counterparts, sealing their own spectacular Scottish Cup triumph after beating Rangers Women on Sunday at Hampden.
From the perspective of Martin O’Neill, his Celtic side found life more comfortable after they beat Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline Athletic 3-1 last week.
But life was far more difficult for Grant Scott and his players, who, after taking the lead through Morgan Cross after 26 minutes, were at a disadvantage at the start of the second half when Emma Lawton was shown a second yellow card and sent off.
Rangers Women had numerous chances to put the ball into the back of the net, but the Celtic Women held their nerve to the delight of their head coach.
“We had to defend for our lives,” Scott told the BBC. “The players showed such commitment to each other. That’s what it’s all about. I’m very proud of them. They were a proper team today.”
Celtic beat Rangers in the Women’s Scottish Cup final!
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Celtic Women ‘salvage’ poor season with Scottish Cup win
The Celtic men won the domestic double, including pipping Hearts to the Premiership title on the last day of the season.
While Derek McInnes’ men choked at the death, it was a different story for their women, because they won the SWPL title on the final day under the guidance of Eva Olid.
Those in green and white finished as low as fifth place, which clearly isn’t acceptable, and things need to change over the summer.
A very familiar scenario for O’Neill to deal with.
Nonetheless, Grant acknowledged the issues in the league, but believes this Scottish Cup win ‘salvages something for us.’
“This cup run has been magnificent,” added Scott. “The season has not been great, but this salvages something for us.”
Emma Lawton reacts to sending off after Celtic Women down Rangers Women in Scottish Cup final
It was also a relief for Lawton, who will be breathing a lot easier given that she didn’t cost her side such a monumental victory in the Glasgow derby.
Lawton admitted on the BBC that it was a second booking and a sending off, as she shared what each of her teammates told her after the full-time whistle.
“I left my team in a bit of trouble,” admitted Lawton. “But I’m just really proud of them. Every single girl out there was magnificent. They were amazing.
“It felt like a lifetime. I think we deserved it, given the cup run we had. Probably, in hindsight, it was a second yellow. Every girl came over and said they did for me, and I’m so thankful.”
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