Booth hopeful of progress

Glasgow City head coach Scott Booth believes his side can emerge from their Champions League qualifying group maze in Edinburgh today and move forward into Friday’s last-32 draw.

Although any one of three teams could take the automatic qualifying spot by heading Group 3, Booth and his players have their fate back in their own hands thanks to today’s opponents, Gornik Leczna, beating Anderlecht 1-0 on Friday.

The Polish champions are favourites to go through because a win, or even a draw, against City in the 4pm kickoff at Oriam would leave the Champions League debutants top of the group. Then it gets more complicated. If Booth’s side beat Gornik by any margin other than 1-0, they will progress into Friday’s draw as group winners.

If the score is 1-0 for City neither of the teams will qualify – instead it would be Anderlecht, assuming they beat FC Martve at Ainslie Park. Martve have shipped 19 goals in their previous two group matches.

“I always thought it would come down to the last game,” Booth said. “We know what we have to do – score at least two and also win.”

The bad news for City is that Scotland midfielder Hayley Lauder remains on the sidelines with a calf strain.

“She thrives in these circumstances and can open up the opposition,” said Booth.