If you know your history, Celtic Women’s first Scottish Cup Final

With no Celtic FC Women action this weekend, let’s look at a blast from the past. The 2007/08 season, the Ghirls’ first season under the Celtic branding.

After finishing third-from-bottom in the old Scottish Women’s Premier League in 2007, Arsenal North were taken over by Celtic, who were looking to expand into the women’s game. At the time, we could have only dreamed of the success that the club would have, but everyone involved was hoping that better times were ahead.

Celtic were immediately allowed to play in the top division and that first season brought a lot of excitement.

Although there was not much to mention in the league, the big point of note came when Celtic made it to the final of the Scottish Women’s Cup in their inaugural season. Facing off against Hibernian, whose two-year-long unbeaten run the Hoops had ended earlier in the season, the Glasgow side were confident that they could bring their first piece of women’s silverware to Parkhead.

Johnstone, Quigg, Curley, Robertson, Seagrave, Stokes, Beattie, Love, Gemmell, C Murray and Malone were the names on the Celtic team sheet that day at McDiarmid Park. The Celtic subs were Crichton, Cunnigham and Findlay. All of them took to the pitch with confidence that they could quickly overcome Hibs.

There was a problem though in the fact that Hibs had been a top team in women’s football for some time, often putting up a fight against Glasgow City. One thing that comes with longevity is the ability to see opportunities that other teams may not, including defensive errors.

And that’s how the scoring was opened on that day. With no goals in the 90 minutes, the game entered extra time. Celtic were looking strong, but the team was starting to get tired, something that our opponent noticed.

As the tiredness kicked in, so did the mistakes. A ball was left loose inside of our penalty area in the seventh minute of extra time and Joelle Murray latched onto the ball, putting it past the Celtic goalkeeper to open the scoring. Just seven minutes later, Hibs midfielder Mandy Burns took advantage of defensive confusion from the Celts and struck home from close range to double her side’s advantage.

Despite the Celtic keeper playing well all game and making crucial saves to deny Hibs, the game was put to bed when Suzanne Grant sent a chip over her head. The ball found the back of the net, and although Celtic did get a consolation goal through Leanne Crichton, it was too little, too late.

“We love you, we love you, and where you go we’ll follow!” rang out in the half-full stand as a group of Celtic fans tried to lift the team’s spirits after the narrow defeat. And as we know, the fans did follow, and so did the success.

Back to current days, the Ghirls return to action next weekend with a visit to Petershill Park as we face Glasgow City. With only one point separating us and theRangers, we could be on the brink of a historic first SWPL title.

If it weren’t for the women who played for us all those years ago, we wouldn’t be the club we are today. So never forget them as we cheer the Celts on to victory!

The game was played at St Johnstone, 17 May 2008.

Celtic FC Women’s First Legend – Suzanne Grant 

Suzanne Grant signed for Celtic Women in  2009 and scored 147 goals for the Hoops.

Celtic FC Women set to play two fixtures at Paradise

As Celtic FC Women enter the business end of their 2023/24 SWPL campaign, the club last week confirmed that two of our upcoming SWPL fixtures will now take place at Celtic Park.

Last season, the Celtic faithful packed out Paradise in their thousands, setting the Scottish domestic attendance record on two occasions and cheering on the Ghirls to crucial victories that saw them secure a UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifying spot.

Supporters will have the opportunity to play their part once again, with Celtic FC Women making their return to Celtic Park for the following fixtures..

Celtic FC Women v Hearts, April 21 (KO 4:10pm)

Celtic FC Women v Hibernian, May 19 (KO: tbc)

It is all still to play for at the top of the SWPL, and Elena Sadiku’s squad are aiming to create yet more history as they chase their first ever league title.

With so much at stake, Celtic is calling on all Celtic fans to back the Ghirls, as your support could be the difference in what’s set to be another thrilling end to the season and help deliver a first ever SWPL1 title for the Ghirls.

Jessica Elliott