City will be out for revenge after their Hibees’ hic-cup
Glasgow City head coach Eileen Gleeson insists her side will need to do better when they face Hibs again this afternoon.
A 2-1 Sky Sports Cup semi-final defeat last month at today’s venue, Petershill Park, is the only blemish on City’s record this season.
They went top of the SWPL by beating Partick Thistle last Sunday after Rangers drew with Celtic the night before.
They have 31 points from 33 after the first round of league fixtures, two ahead of Rangers and three clear of Celtic.
“Our tempo wasn’t high enough and we didn’t create,” Gleeson said of the semi-final defeat. “We’ll hopefully rectify that this time.
“Hibs have improved as the season has gone on, and they’ve got themselves into the Cup Final. They are in positive form.”
City won a Scottish record 14-in-a-row league titles before the run was ended by Rangers last season.
Unlike the glory years they’re now competing against fully-professional Rangers and Celtic squads, which makes the standalone women’s club start to the season all the more impressive.
“Obviously Glasgow City have a very rich history in this competition,” Gleeson confirmed.
“It could be any one of the three top teams who win the title.
“We’re happy to be top right now. It’s a familiar, historical position for Glasgow City.”
Gleeson says club captain Jo Love isn’t quite ready to make an appearance.
Scotland’s most-capped outfield player, with 189 appearances, returned to the bench last Sunday after 13 months out with an ACL injury.
However, Gleeson says the 36-year-old won’t be rushed back onto the pitch, and will again sit out today’s game.
Stand-in skipper Hayley Lauder, and top scorer, Lauren Davidson, return after missing the Thistle win.
Rangers will benefit from any City slip-up as they are away to bottom club, Glasgow Women.
Malky Thomson’s side hammered the SWPL newcomers 14-0 in their first game of the season.
Celtic suffered a blow in midweek when it was confirmed that flying winger, Lucy AshworthClifford, ruptured an ACL in last weekend’s 0-0 draw against Rangers. They are at home to Dundee United at the Excelsior today.
Aberdeen will have academy director, Gavin Levey, in charge for the game against Spartans at Balmoral Stadium. It follows the shock resignations of co-managers, Emma Hunter and Gavin Beith ,on Monday.
They left 24 hours after steering the Dons to only their second win of the season against Dundee United at Tannadice.
Hunter guided Aberdeen to back-to-back promotions after they were in the third tier of Scottish football when she arrived.
In today’s other game Hearts host Hamilton Accies at Oriam.