Celtic FC Women: Chasing a Second SWPL Title Plus a Game at Paradise

The Celtic Star

·21 March 2025

Celtic FC Women: Chasing a Second SWPL Title Plus a Game at Paradise

The Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) is now one of the most competitive women’s football leagues in Britain…

Celtic FC Women huddle. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Every year, the battle for the title is getting tougher and this season, current Champions Celtic FC Women is one five of contenders with a realistic shout of claiming the glory come May. With the teams now in the crucial post-split stage of the season, the stakes have never been higher for current leaders Hibernian, Glasgow City, theRangers, Celtic and Hearts. And spare a thought for poor old Motherwell who made the top six split but are likely to face some terrible score-lines and that started at the weekend when they lost eight goals to theRangers.

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It is an exciting time to be following these teams progress as they all push towards their goal of winning the SWPL1 title, with fans, players, and analysts all fully engaged in the business end of the season.

Celtic’s Post-Split Challenge

Amy Gallacher, Celtic FC Women, Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Celtic FC Women’s team has this season produced some decent performances both at home and away but has failed to retain the consistency of previous seasons. One explanation for that could be the participation in the last 16 of the Champions League, in the group stages against Chelsea, Real Madrid and FC Twente. And before that there were numerous rounds of Champions League qualifiers to negotiated. This adds up to Celtic having a much heavier fixture schedule throughout the season, and that can perhaps go some way to explaining why the Champions are currently in fourth position in the table.

It’s getting tougher for all the sides as they have now entered the post-split stage of the league. This final phase of the league is a round-robin among the top six teams, which means every match from here on out is a must-win for Celtic who currently trail leaders Hibs by six points. This segment’s points will determine the final league positions, and although Celtic is still in the race, they need to keep up the pace to maintain their momentum. The 3-1 defeat away to Hearts last weekend was worrying to say the least as the team’s performance was far from satisfactory for any team representing the club.

Shannon McGregor, Celtic v theRangers, 17 November 2024. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Shannon McGregor, one of the top players at Celtic, has commented on the team’s readying for the post-split contest. The team, McGregor said, needs to remain very much in the zone, mentally and physically. The team has been preparing well regarding the tactics and coordination of the team, working to enhance their strengths while at the same time eliminating the weaknesses that the competition may exploit. McGregor, however, during the SWPL briefing, showed her dedication to the team’s success and a better finish, stating that the team was ready for the pressure and potential that comes with it.

The league is strong and every match from here on out will be a test of the team’s character. Similar to any major football tournament, the betting market can sometimes give an idea of the teams’ form and the odds for the SWPL title race, which are closely monitored by fans and pundits. Using betting sites not on gamstop, fans and bettors can get in on the action and try to place bets predicting possible game results, some of them possibly in favor of the Celtic squad. Bettors can use these sites to place multiple extensive bets since there are no limitations or exclusions. Liliana Costache from Card Player explains that the non-gamstop betting sites that operate outside of the UK’s exclusion program, often include well-known brands that offer competitive odds and various betting types for various sporting events.

Morgan Cross, Celtic FC Women. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Celtic FC Women’s chances are considered good but the competition is very high from other teams like Hibs, Glasgow City and theRangers. The outcome of the season remains uncertain as every week passes and the odds change according to the post-split performance of the teams.

Celtic’s main matches, including the clashes against Glasgow City, will be important in influencing the betting odds. If Celtic can get the wins in these big pressure games, then the team will be in a better position to claim the SWPL title and their odds of doing so should decrease as they climb the table.

Key Celtic Players to Watch

Emma Lawton, Celtic FC Women. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Sometimes, the individual brilliance of a team’s success makes all the difference. For Celtic, the players like McGregor, Emma Lawton and Saoirse Noonan have been crucial to their campaign so far. These players have shown skill and leadership, and have helped the team to move forward with every game.

Saoirse Noonan celebrates, Celtic v theRangers, 17 November 2024. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

McGregor, however, has been vital in the midfield, steering the team and setting the pace in the game. Others who have impressed include forward Saoirse Noonan, who has been great to have in the team due to her ability to score goals. Noonan has great instincts in the box and her presence in the final third of the pitch may just be what Celtic needs to win the SWPL title. She has 22 goals in 20 matches for Celtic and will be looking at maintaining that impressive scoring record as Celtic attempt to make a charge on retaining their title.

Caitlin Hayes and Elena Sakiku all smiles on Wednesday night at Celtic Park, UEFA Champions League, Celtic v Chelsea. 13 November 2024. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

The team has always had a strong defence but the loss of Caitlin Hayes in January to Brighton and Hove Albion has been a huge blow for Celtic. However veteran Celtic stalwart Chloe Craig is back fully fit after a knee injury and can be the answer to Celtic defensive worries. Therefore the team can regain it’s balanced and be ready to challenge for the title. There will be other players that Celtic will rely on to keep on fighting for the top spot in the post split games, including the likes of Amy Gallacher, Morgan Cross and Murphy Agnew.

Celtic’s Road to the Title

Although Celtic FC Women’s are the current Champions, the SWPL is always crowded with competition, for example the title over the past two seasons was only settled not on the last day but in the last minute of the final matches. Two tears ago it was heartache for Celtic as Glasgow City snatched the title at the death and last year the same thing happened although it was theRangers suffering on this occasion and Celtic FC Women taking the trophy and the glory.

The Celtic team that won the league last season. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Celtic’s experience in these campaigns shows that they have what it takes to triumph in Scottish women’s football and that make them a great threat to their rivals. In addition, other teams like theRangers, Glasgow City and Hibernian have also been in the race for the championship, which only makes the competition more exciting.

Each of these teams will be trying to end the season strongly but they are all capable of beating the rest so expect plenty of points to be dropped among all the contenders. However, Celtic has time and again proved that it can stand its ground against the best but current form will have to improve, if the Ghirls want to be well placed to challenge for title to the end. The top teams’ matchups will be crucial in determining the ultimate winner or unbeaten and Elena Sadiku’s side really needs to get the better of all three sides currently above them in the table.

Celtic FC Women celebrate their first ever SWPL1 title win at Celtic Park in May 2024. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

The post-split stage is interesting in that every team plays all other teams twice, which is why even the smallest margins can prove crucial. To reach the top, Celtic FC Women must improve from the dismal display against Hearts last Sunday; that cannot be allowed to happen again or you can effectively count Celtic out of the running. So the Celtic team will be under immense pressure in the final matches and how they tackle this pressure will be something they have not experienced before.

Growing Popularity of Women’s Football

One of the most exciting things about the Celtic Women’s team’s journey in the SWPL is the increasing popularity of women’s football among the Celtic support. Increasingly, more and more, people are paying attention to women’s sports, and the standard is rising. Celtic is not only the current Champions and has now performed at elite Champions League level; the team is contributing to raising the bar for women’s football in Scotland and around Europe. This increase in popularity has brought more visibility to women’s sports, and more people are paying attention to the league and supporting their teams.

Amy Gallacher’s goal won the SWPL1 title for Celtic. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

The post-split phase of the SWPL will, without a doubt, draw a large TV audience, people interested in knowing who will be the best team. As women’s football keeps on developing, teams like Celtic will play a significant role in encouraging the next generation of players and supporters.

Celtic FC launch Five Match Post Split Package

Celtic FC Women have just five home games remaining this season, and as they look to retain their SWPL trophy, the Ghirls need you to play your part by showing your support and backing them all the way. A five-match package is available to buy now, securing your seat at these crucial fixtures. It also includes an option for a premium seat at the final game of the season, which will be played at Celtic Park!

Amy Gallacher with the trophy. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

FIVE-MATCH PACKAGE FIXTURES

Friday, March 28 – v Glasgow City Wednesday, April 16 – v Hibernian Wednesday, April 30 – v Hearts Sunday, May 11 – v theRangers Sunday, May 18 – v Motherwell (at Celtic Park)

PRICING

Adult/Accessible Adult (with companion) – £35 Under 16/Accessible Under 16 (with companion) – £10 Premium Seating Adult – £70 Premium Seating Under 16 – £35

In what has already been another historic campaign for Elena Sadiku’s side, achieving UWCL qualification for the first time, the Celtic support has played a huge role. We need you to play your part in the post-split campaign – don’t miss out on the opportunity to cheer the Ghirls on as they compete for the title once again.

Over the last two seasons, the SWPL title race has gone down to the final day, with Amy Gallacher scoring the crucial goal on the final day of last campaign to seal our first ever league title. With the 2024/25 campaign heading for another thrilling conclusion, your support is invaluable and makes a huge difference to the team on the pitch, with each match being as important as the next.

Celtic supporters watch the SWPL title being won. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Now is the time to make some noise for the Ghirls! Get your five-match package and cheer on the Hoops as they aim to create more history on the pitch.

You can purchase your tickets HERE.

COYGIG!