A goal on 54 minutes from striker Clare Shine was enough to give Glasgow City the win over Celtic at the Excelsior Stadium and maintain their perfect start to the season.
With the Celtic squad overhauled during the close season, it was a very different Celtic to that which City faced last year and it was a fiercely competitive game from the start.
City went closest throughout the first half and almost scored a divine opener as the reigning Champions passed their way through their opponents only to see Shine’s effort saved by Megan Cunningham in the Celtic nets.
Lining up officially for the first time without Denise O’Sullivan after City announced her transfer to US giants Houston Dash only the day before, it took O’Sullivan’s Irish international team mate Shine to do what she does best, and place the ball in the back of the net after great play from Ruesha Littlejohn.
Littlejohn saw red late in the game due to a second booking and Celtic almost sneaked a share of the spoils at the end as Suzanne Mulvey hit the post.
Commenting on the game, City Head Coach Scott Booth said, “We’re delighted to take all three points today. The girls worked really hard to ensure the victory. Today we needed to dig in for the result and when that happens the fluid football we want to play can at times be affected.
We know we can be better, but it’s three points and another clean sheet. We are happy with the momentum we are building.”
City are back in action next Sunday at the Excelsior Stadium as they take on Glasgow Girls in the quarter final of the League Cup. Kick off is 2.30pm.
Reported by Glasgow City FC
Picture 1: Lauren McMurchie by Andy Buist
Picture 2: Claire Shine by Tommy Hughes
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