Gleeson feels City have raised the bar for Scottish game

HEAD COACH Eileen Gleeson insists that Glasgow City’s 14year dominance of the league has improved the women’s game in Scotland dramatically – adding that it is important for a club of their stature to finish the season with silverware.

The perennial SPWL 1 winners were unseated by Rangers in the league this season and Celtic triumphed in the SPWL

League Cup final in December, leaving Sunday’s Scottish Women’s Cup final against Fran Alonso’s side as City’s last opportunity to avoid ending a campaign empty-handed for the first time since 2005.

Speaking at a media conference, Gleeson was asked if she was feeling the pressure of potentially finishing the season trophyless but she believes it is City’s own high standards over the years that have created a more competitive environment.

“That’s the conversation in every interview that we have because Glasgow City have been the trailblazers,” Gleeson said. “Because of them the level of the league has risen significantly; because of them other clubs have had to match up or drop out and that’s what’s happened.

“The context of women’s football in Scotland has dramatically changed because of

Glasgow City and the outcome of that is that teams are more evenly matched now.

“The competition is tougher and that’s a good thing for women’s football. Yes, the pressure is there and yes, we will try to win on Sunday.

“I think it is important [to win trophies at a club like Glasgow City]. We have had the disappointment of not winning the league this year and there are a lot of aspects to that.

“Sunday is a big day for the club, it’s a big day for the players and we will be looking to end it with silverware.

“Since the League Cup final we have played Celtic twice and beaten Celtic twice but Sunday brings its own dynamic. That always brings another level so we will be expecting to bring more of the same and really show how we can play and use the quality that we have in the squad.”