FEAR FACTOR AS GHIRLS GO FOR JUGULAR
CELTIC ...... 2 RANGERS ...... 1
CELTIC manager elena Sadiku has insisted that teams will “fear” Celtic after their victory over Rangers yesterday.
It was the first defeat of the season for Jo Potter’s side.
A first-half brace from Natasha Flint ensured that Jane Ross’ goal 12 minutes from time was little more than a statistical footnote.
It blows the race for the SWPL title wide open with Glasgow City’s win over Hearts in edinburgh meaning that there is just one point between the top three teams.
“For me, it is not just the result but the performance too,” said Sadiku.
“I think other teams will fear us now because we played attractive, offensive football but it is more about the confidence from the girls that they know the standard we can play at. This is the new standard.
“It is three important points but it is also a good performance, especially in the first half where we outplayed them.
“We really dominated the game. The first half was brilliant and I think we should have scored at least one more goal.
“I am not surprised because I know the quality of this team and I know how hard they have worked this week in training.
“This team can keep getting better and I think what was nice to see as a coach was the belief.”
“If you look at the table right now it is very intense,” added Sadiku. “Us and Glasgow are just one behind now and I think anything can happen.”
Flint opened the scoring in five minutes, netting at the second attempt.
Rangers keeper Jenna Fife had parried her first shot but Flint netted the rebound.
Before the goal Celtic had breached the Rangers’ rearguard three times in five minutes with Potter’s side missing the influence of Kathy Hill.
Celtic controlled the first period with Flint adding a second after Tessel Middag’s clearance fell for Flint to volley into the net.
There was a second-half moment when tempers threatened to boil over as Sadiku earned a booking.
Lucy Ashworth-Clifford went into Rangers kid Mia McAulay which prompted an inevitably furious response from Potter, whom the challenge was directly in front of.
As handbags came out there were suspicions a red might also be shown but referee Ryan Kennedy was content to offer a caution rather than a dismissal.
The sense of injustice seemed to energise Rangers for a spell.
Ross came off the bench to pull them back into the game after Celtic had properly failed to clear.
They threatened a late leveller with a series of corners – one of which came off the woodwork – but left it too late to get themselves back into it.