Celtic FC Women secured UEFA Champions League qualification after defeating Hearts 2-0 at Celtic Park this afternoon (Sunday).

But there was title heartache for the Hoops as an injury-time winner from Glasgow City at Ibrox saw City become champions just when it was looking as though Celtic would triumph on a day of drama in the SWPL.

Celtic were on the front foot from the first whistle as they hunted for goals which could make the difference. In the opening few minutes, Amy Gallacher was first to try her luck. The ball fell the way of the forward inside the area, but she couldn’t direct her effort on target.

However, it wouldn’t take long for the Hoops to test Charlotte Parker-Smith between the sticks for the away side as Claire O’Riordan directed a header from a corner on target.

The goalkeeper produced a good save, though the ball landed in the path of Chloe Craig. The defender attempted to turn the ball home, but could only hit the side-netting.

Playing in a deeper role, Tash Flint was looking to make her impact felt on the game and had a number of shots at goal, which unfortunately couldn’t trouble the goalkeeper.

As the Celts continued to search for the opening goal of the game, Kit Loferski had a golden chance to score for the third game running.

Some nice work from Gallacher on the edge of the area allowed the American to take a touch and run through on goal, but Parker-Smith produced another smart stop.

With half time approaching it appeared that Celtic would have to wait until the second half in their search for the first goal of the game. However, up stepped Caitlin Hayes to put the Ghirls 1-0 ahead just two minutes before the break.

It has been a fantastic week for the defender, who signed a new long-term contract at Paradise and she added to that by scoring another crucial goal for Fran Alonso’s side.

After staying forward from a set-piece, the ball broke towards the 27-year-old who swivelled and made no mistake with her finish, which found the bottom corner of the net.

The Hoops’ attacking intent continued into the second 45 minutes, and Shen Menglu looked to be causing plenty of problems down the left. The versatile winger put in a number of dangerous crosses into the box, but no one could direct any of them on target.

Shen Mengyu was next to try her luck after picking up some space on the edge of the area, but once again it was a comfortable save for the goalkeeper.

Celtic’s wait for an all-important second goal was over on the 68th-minute mark as on-loan Leicester City forward Tash Flint scored to hand the Ghirls a 2-0 lead. The English striker made a late run into the penalty area, and met the cross of Chloe Craig from the right perfectly to head the ball into the back of the net.

In the closing stages of the game, both Loferski and Hayes had chances to add to the scoring, but the Celts had already wrapped up the three points.

All eyes were on the other game at the top of the SWPL, and it unfortunately didn’t go Celtic’s way as Glasgow City scored a stoppage time goal to seal the league title for a record 16th time, meaning the Ghirls finished second, securing Champions League football for next season.

And Fran Alonso's side still have the opportunity to lift silverware this season when they take on Rangers at Hampden next Sunday (May 28) in the Scottish Cup final.

CELTIC: Tajonar, O’Riordan, Craig, Gallacher, Jacynta (Bowie 90+2), Mengyu, Clark, Hayes, Loferski (Fergusson 82), Flint, Menglu (McAneny 70).
Subs: Logan, Cusack, Barclay, Sharkey

Match reaction

Celts secure Champions League football but late drama denies them the title