Winless in four, Celtic FC Women drop out of title race

The Celtic Star

·15 April 2025

Winless in four, Celtic FC Women drop out of title race

Celtic FC Women grabbed a late equaliser in the Glasgow Derby on Sunday afternoon with substitute Amy Gallacher’s goal denying theRangers top spot in an otherwise depressing looking SWPL1 table from a Celtic perspective.

Both teams line up ahead of kick off during the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League. theRangers FC vs Celtic FC. Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld, 13/04/2025. Image Credit: Colin Poultney/SWPL

It’s fair to say that this was a point gained rather than two points dropped for Elena Sadiku’s side who went into the Glasgow Derby on the back of three straight defeats against the two Edinburgh sides and Glasgow City. So one point in 12 for the reigning Champions who now do not have matters in their own hands, even if they do retain any slight hope of turning this season around.

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theRangers v Celtic Highlights

Hearts beat high flying Hibs on Sunday, who Celtic face tomorrow evening, and that result brings Hearts Women level with Celtic on points. Only goal difference keeps the Champions from dropping to fifth. Here’s the table as things currently stand, three games into the split, so seven to go.

Celtic need to make up NINE points on Glasgow City to get ahead of the current leaders in what is effectively now a three horse race that doesn’t involve Celtic FC Women.

SWPL Table as it currently stands

SWPL1 Table after matches played on Sunday 13 April 2025.

Here are the SWPL 1 fixtures for Wednesday evening with Celtic taking on Hibs. With Hearts at home to Motherwell that should be three points for them so Celtic need to beat Hibs to avoid dropping to fifth. At least Motherwell can’t catch us!

Wednesday night fixtures

A title win and Champions League group stage qualification

Elena Sadiku came in to replace Fran Alonso at the start of last year and guided Celtic to a first ever title win with a dramatic Amy Gallacher goal at Celtic Park on the last day of the season. This season started well with qualification for the group stages of the Women’s Champions League being secured after some impressive performances and great results against decent quality opposition.

Taking on FC Twente, Real Madrid and Chelsea at the elite level of the Women’s Champions League, was never going to be easy and while Celtic remained pointless throughout the campaign, they were never embarrassed in any match and the money was good. Very good.

GOAL! 1-1 Amy Gallacher of Celtic makes an instant impact from coming off the bench to draw her side level during the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League. theRangers FC vs Celtic FC. Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld, 13/04/2025. Image Credit: Colin Poultney/SWPL

Hopes were high that the team would kick on

Hopes were high that the team would kick on and use the experience gained at the elite level to their advantage but instead there has been a collapse in form, results and seemingly attitude. All is clearly not well at Celtic FC Women, a view that is perhaps backed by the exit in the January window of Caitlin Hayes to join Brighton where she sits on the bench.

Summer signings have failed to improve the team

The summer signings have failed to gel or improve the team which seems to be playing with a giant gap at the centre of the defence since Hayes left and was not replaced. It’s turned into a shambles of a season with the team now playing for pride and perhaps for their own futures at the club. A clear-out is clearly needed that is for sure and there really is no excuse for what has happened to the women’s team in 2025.

Celtic Women FC Manager, Elena Sadiku during the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League. Rangers FC vs Celtic FC. Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld, 13/04/2025. Image Credit: Colin Poultney/SWPL

Can Elena Sadiku survive this?

Can Elena Sadiku survive this? She’s clearly running out of time and excuses. One point from 12 is nowhere near the standard and in those four games it’s easy to reach the conclusion that this is one point more than the team actually deserved. Against Hibs and Hearts they were absolutely dreadful.

Sadiku’s one and only taste of victory in a Glasgow Derby came on St Patrick’s Day last year. Both campaigns in the cup were over quickly this season and there’s the last game of the campaign at Celtic Park against Motherwell to think about. Opening up a 60,000 stadium for a dead rubber match with a just few hundred supporters to attend is going to be a hard sell.

Flag bearers line the touchline ahead of kick off during the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League. theRangers FC vs Celtic FC. Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld, 13/04/2025. Image Credit: Colin Poultney/SWPL

That day will be a farewell to Paradise for some and then Celtic need to look at why as the richest club in Scotland and with Women’s Champions League earnings of around £500k coming into the coffers, Celtic looks the most underfunded side in the top six outside of Motherwell.

Elena Sadiku ventured onto this subject a month or so ago, pointing out that her budget is the smallest out of the top five. If that’s correct it’s damning stuff. Maybe the club are righting off this season and keeping the money for a summer rebuild. That would make some sense at least.

Best of luck to the Ghirls tomorrow night.

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