SWPL
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
New Douglas Park

CELTIC…8

(Hayes 2, 45+3, Noonan 7, 37, Gallacher 29, Lawton 58, Clark 76, Smith 90+1)

ABERDEEN...0

Celtic FC Women made it two wins from two in 2025, running out 8-0 winners against Aberdeen at New Douglas Park.

Putting in a five star first half performance, the Hoops followed that up with a further two in the second half, putting in an impressive performance to take home all three points.

Having return from the winter break and opening 2025 with a win at the weekend, the Ghirls were quickly back in midweek action.

Making a quick-fire return to New Douglas Park, Elena Sadiku’s side faced off against Aberdeen in one of two rescheduled fixtures due to their involvement in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Following on from Sunday’s win, the Hoops would have been aiming to continue building upon the momentum of a strong start in 2025.

And they made the perfect start once more, taking the lead just two minutes into the match through Caitlin Hayes.

The defender has proved so dangerous from set plays and was on hand to score the opener, turning home Lucy Ashworth-Clifford’s pinpoint delivery.

Just five minutes later, the Celts had a rapid second, with Saoirse Noonan continuing her brilliant start to the new year.

Picking up the ball on the right-hand side, the forward produced a superb low finish, which went underneath the Dons goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

It was a dominant performance from start to finish by the Hoops, who looked dangerous every time they went forward.

Chloe Logan was restricted to very little between the sticks, with just the one comfortable save to make.

Celtic continued to go on the front foot and had the chance to grab a third just before the half hour mark from the penalty spot after Colette Cavanagh was judged to have been fouled in the area.

Up stepped Amy Gallacher, who made no mistake from 12-yards out, sending her finish right down the middle.

Having scored a double against Partick Thistle on Sunday, Saoirse Noonan was on hand to match that feat on Wednesday, adding another brace to her collection.

After making a sweet connection with a cross in from the left, the Irish striker was unfortunate to see her initial effort come off the underside of the bar.

However, Noonan was quickest to react, smashing the ball home at the second attempt.

As the game looked to be heading for half time, there was time to wrap up a five-star first half showing, with a fifth goal just before the break.

This time, it was Caitlin Hayes who was on hand to score her brace, producing a strikers like finish inside the area, curling the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

After such a strong first half showing, Elena Sadiku was able to make changes to her side, introducing Celya Barclais and Maria McAneny into the action.

And the latter of the two was almost having an instant impact, in an attempt to set Hayes up for her hat-trick. But the defender was unfortunate not to grab a goal.

But the Celts still kicked off the second half as they had done the first, with Emma Lawton getting in on the act.

Scoring from another set play, it was the slightest of touches from the full back which turned the ball into the net after a pinpoint delivery into the area.

It was a successful evening in many ways for the Celts, particularly on the set piece front as Kelly Clark smashed home a third corner of the game to make the score 7-0.

The Celtic captain continued her fine goal scoring run in front of goal, making it three goals in her last three games.

There was still time in the dying moments for one more goal, and Jenny Smith added an eighth in stoppage time, tapping home a low cross into the box at the back post.

It was the ideal way for Sadiku and her squad to prepare for another big home fixture this weekend with victory on Wednesday night.

The Ghirls now take on Rangers at New Douglas Park this Sunday in the semi-final of the Sky Sports Cup, with a place in the final up for grabs.

CELTIC: Logan, Lawton (Luana 70), Hayes (Richardson 64), Clark, Ashworth-Clifford (Smith 64), Ross (McAneny 46), Cavanagh, Gallacher, M. Carstens, Cross (Barclais 46), Noonan

Subs: Rodgers, Bruna

Dominant Celts secure all three points in impressive victory over Dons