Celtic Snatches Late Equalizer in Thrilling SWPL Derby Against Rangers

Celtic secured a dramatic late draw against SWPL league leaders Rangers in a fiercely contested derby match in Cumbernauld. Despite trailing 2-0, Celtic showcased resilience, ultimately clinching a point with a late equalizer.

Kirsty Howat opened the scoring for Rangers with a well-placed volley after Celtic struggled to defend a short corner. Katie Wilkinson then doubled Rangers’ lead from the penalty spot after a handball in the area. Tessel Middag had a goal disallowed for offside in between these two strikes, adding to the frustration for Celtic.

However, Celtic fought back, pulling one back through Saoirse Noonan, who calmly converted a penalty after Emma Lawton was fouled. As the match drew to a close, Celya Barclais struck a crucial equalizer, firing a shot that ricocheted off the post and into the net.

The draw leaves Rangers one point clear of Glasgow City at the top of the table, with Celtic just a point further back, intensifying the title race.

Post-Match Reactions:

Rangers head coach Jo Potter expressed disappointment, stating, “We spoke about them only really getting back into the game through our mistakes… We’re extremely disappointed we didn’t take three points.”

Celtic head coach Elena Sadiku, while frustrated not to claim the win, praised her players for their determination. “I’m so proud of the girls to be 2-0 behind and perform like that,” she said, highlighting the quality within her squad.

With both teams showcasing their potential, the SWPL title race remains wide open as they continue their campaigns.