Breaking News: Celtic hijack a great deal few minutes ago
Celtic FC Women have drawn 2-2 with Rangers in the first SWPL derby of the season on Thursday night.
Elena Sadiku’s squad have been full of confidence recently following a blockbuster run to the group stage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
The Ghirls will face Chelsea, Real Madrid and FC Twente in a six-game group stage to advance to the quarter-finals of the tournament.
After taking care of Montrose Ladies by a 7-0 margin at the weekend, it was a much tougher task on Thursday away to league leaders Rangers.
Goals from Kirsty Howat and Katie Wilkinson threatened to deliver the victory for the home side, but Saorise Noonan pulled a goal back after 69 minutes before Celya Barclais netted a dramatic late equaliser. And it wasn’t a game without controversy.
Handball decision on edge of the box ‘harsh’ for Celtic
With Rangers already a goal up, Emma Lawton was judged by referee Lewis Hogarth to have handled the ball in the box when blocking a cross.
Wilkinson duly dispatched the spot kick to make it 2-0, putting Celtic right up against it in pursuing a result.
For Sky Sports co-commentator Julie Fleeting, it may not have been the correct decision. There were suggestions it should have been a free-kick instead.
In reviewing replays of the incident, she said: “Here we can see as the cross comes in, for me, she was outside the box when the contact was made. The referee has a brilliant position of it all. It’s difficult to tell from that angle, but for me, it looks a bit harsh from there.”
Elena Sadiku’s Celtic show their resilience again
Thankfully, the reigning champions showed why they’ve earned their reputation as the best team in Scotland. Their late fightback ensured they picked up a deserved – and crucial – point.
Sadiku’s side could even have delivered the victory, putting Rangers under severe pressure in the closing minutes of the match.
The result means Celtic stay two points behind Rangers and one point behind Glasgow City at the top of the table.
A defeat would have been very damaging in the early stages of what promises to be another exciting title race.
FC Twente are now up next on Tuesday night at New Douglas Park. That’s set to be a superb European occasion as the bandwagon rolls on.
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