A crisp and calm evening at the Albert Bartlett Stadium in Airdrie was the setting for Friday night’s huge televised clash.
Two teams on a very similar trajectory with four wins from four – that being enough motivation to spur the Hibees on to hunt for three points.
Grant Scott’s attacking style has caught the league by storm but tonight was a huge test both tactically and physically, the bold decision came with two changes to the starting line-up. In-form pair Kathleen McGovern and Tegan Bowie dropped to the bench for Eilidh Adams and Linzi Taylor.
Hibs began to gain some momentum as their incessant pressing proved difficult for the hosts, with Elena Sadiku’s side resigned to tactical fouling at points in order to fend off Hibs counter-attacks.
The first big chance came when Adams noticed Celtic ‘keeper Kelsey Daugherty was off her line and tried an audaciously lob, but her long-range effort flashed wide of the post.
Just as we hit the half hour mark Celtic switched it on, causing havoc in the wide areas as their triangles were catching Hibs off guard. The resulting crosses were excellently defended by Siobhan Hunter and Ciara Grant, making sure the game was kept level.
Just on the stroke of half time a wonderful cross from Mya Christie met the head of Abbie Ferguson at the back post, with the nod forcing a massive save from Daugherty. After this chance, the danger was ever present as a Jennifer Smith cross was deftly touched goalwards by Murphy Agnew but it came back off the post into the safe hands of Erin Clachers.
The second half started and Hibs continued to pile on the pressure down the right flank, with Ferguson cutting inside and letting fly with a fantastic effort that agonisingly came back out off the woodwork.
Celtic then had a huge chance to take the lead through Mathilde Carstens but she blasted the ball wide of the near post. Hibs quickly hit back as Bowie stung the fingertips of Daugherty following some excellent play forward between Ferguson and McAlonie.
Hibs kept their unbeaten start to the new SWPL season alive on The Gaffer’s 100th game in charge of the Club. The progression from last season was on full view as Hibs take their momentum into the big one a week from today at Easter Road. It’s Edinburgh Derby time.
