Hearts v Celtic FC Women Match Preview and Interviews

Two games from glory. Celtic FC Women take on Hearts tomorrow evening in the capital for the second-last game in the SWPL1 where a victory will see the Ghirls attention turn to Celtic Park on Sunday afternoon and a chance to create history for Celtic Football Club.

After the comfortable 3-0 win  over Partick Thistle 3-0, followed by theRangers narrowly overcame Glasgow City on Sunday, both teams are still tied on points at the top of the table with each side having two matches to play. Celtic still have +15 goal difference over them, and with the two relatively tricky games they have left, six points from our final two games will see us crowned champions beyond any doubt.

Celtic FC Women play away to Hearts this evening and at Celtic Park on Sunday against Hibs, who play theRangers in Edinburgh this evening before Jo Potter’s side finish off their league campaign against Partick Thistle.

Hearts away is definitely the game that we’ve been seeing as difficult in the run-up to this part of the season. Although we beat them 5-0 last time we faced them at Celtic Park, the last time we played them at Oriam, we had to settle for a point a piece. Their ground suits them much better than it does us, shown by their recent form, as their only wins in their last six have come from their home games. One of those results was even a victory over theRangers which flipped the advantage Celtic’s way.

And speaking of our rivals, they’re also playing in Edinburgh this evening, facing Hibs who beat Hearts at Meadowbank in their last game, and they only lost 1-0 to Glasgow City there, a very respectable result. Could Hibs pull something off that could see us put the foot on the gas?

Celtic Manager’s View 

No media conference ahead of this one from Elena Sadiku but the Celtic FC Women manager did speak to Celtic TV ahead of this crucial match away to Hearts.

“The players are very, very excited, and we all know what’s at stake, so we’re going to enjoy and do our job – that’s always aiming to win. So we’re really, really excited,” Elena said. “The players have done an incredible job, they are really doing what they do best, and that’s playing football.

“We’re just trying to keep building and doing what we’re good at. We have training today and then obviously our only focus is against Hearts, and we just need to focus on what we need to do in that game. When that game is done, that’s when he focus on the next one.”

“Obviously, Hearts are a great opponent and we know that they like to play football as well. So we just need to focus on what we need to do, because we are a great team and when we do things like we can do, that’s the only thing that matters.

“Since the split, the girls are very focused and for me it also looks like they enjoy playing the way we play and that’s the only thing we are going to focus on, keep building on that and do what we are best at.”

Celtic Player’s View 

Celtic FC Women midfielder Lisa Robertson also spoke to Celtic TV ahead of tonight’s huge match at Oriam against Hearts, where three points will take the Ghirls back to Celtic Park on Sunday looking at wrapping up the title.

“It’s really exciting, the girls are obviously doing really well and we’re really full of confidence, but we know that it’s a massive week, and it’s something that we have to prepare properly for. So we are really looking forward to the final week. It’s two massive games, but, of course, as the saying goes, it’s one game at a time and that’s the game that we’re focusing on right now,” the former Scotland midfielder said.

“We’re expecting a really tough test, we’ve played Hearts home and way and both games have been really difficult. No more so than at the Oriam, so we have to really get to training and focus on what we are going to do, because they obviously have threats, but we have a lot  of good threats too and we need to look at their weaknesses and exploit them.

“And after the weekend we’re obviously confident that we can do that if we keep the focus on that game,” Lisa said.

Celtic Team News

Tash Flint was benched last game, likely because she is possible still carrying a knock. She didn’t make an appearance during that Thistle game so hopefully that means she’ll be ready for this clash. The team selection against Thistle was clearly a sign that Elena was utilising her full squad to cope with the three games in a week, all requiring victories to deliver the title.

If I had to predict, I’d say that Elena Sadiku will play a full-strength line-up for this game. I don’t see her taking any risks in what we all know is going to be the most significant game of the season for the Ghirls.  Having had two separate sightings of Kit Loferski, looking much better than expected in terms of her ankle issue,  there’s an outside chance that she could make the bench tonight.

Match Officials

Lewis Hogarth takes the whistle for Hearts vs Celtic FC Women  at the Oriam training centre. in Edinburgh. Will Pare and Blair McAlpine assist Hogarth, with Tommi Kerr has been named as the fourth official by the Scottish FA. No VAR in operation in the SWPL1 yet, that’s no doubt going to change at some point down the line.

Kick-off Time

Hearts vs Celtic FC Women kicks off at 6pm at Oriam, Edinburgh.

Where to Watch

Hearts v Celtic FC Women will be broadcast live on BBC Alba, so well worth tuning in ahead of the Kilmarnock v Celtic Scottish Premiership match at Rugby Park with kicks off a 7.30pm and is live on Sky Sports.

Score Predictions

Hearts 0 – 2 Celtic FC Women. I don’t think that there will be lots of goals but I think we’ll get the right result in the end. The Ghirls are determined that they’re not going to let the title slip past them again after what happened last season and Elena is calm, collected and determined to be our Queen of Queens, especially after she got to meet Henrik on Sunday night! Lucky ghirl!

Swede dreams ????????????#CelticPOTY???? pic.twitter.com/TOWPrbB79S

— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) May 12, 2024

More goals would be good though to increase our goal difference even more, but if Celtic go two up we’ll be happy to contain hearts and use effective game management to see out the match.

COYGIG!

Meanwhile over at Rugby Park the same thing could happen, so I’m going for Kilmarnock 0 – 2 Celtic.

COYBIG!

Jessica Elliott

On the road in the penultimate game of the season ????????

???? Hearts⌚️ 6pm????️ The Oriam???? @SWPL ???? Live on @BBCAlba????️ Buy tickets online | https://t.co/WvKTeKGLoS#HEACEL | #SWPL | #COYGIG???? pic.twitter.com/9iH5Q6wKng

— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) May 15, 2024

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