Rangers v Celtic Preview | From the Fans
This weekend sees a bumper weekend of derby action hit the SWPL as the women’s game in Scotland looks to capitalise on an opportunity to take centre stage. Glasgow, Edinburgh, North Lanarkshire and the North East are all represented with venues including Tannadice and Easter Road set to host what many will hope to be a series of marque occasions.
While I do my best to get to as much women’s football as I can I thought ahead of a weekend where more fans than ever are anticipated through SWPL doors I’d speak to those who make Sunday’s their Saturday’s to get a temperature check on how their sides are progressing both on and off the pitch this season.
First up, I spoke to Laura from the Rangers Women’s Supporters Group and Clare Wilde from the The Cynic Celtic Women’s Podcast to share their thoughts on the season so far as the Old Firm rivals get ready to meet in the league for the first time this season on Saturday night at Broadwood Stadium.
- How would you sum up your season so far?
Laura: I think Rangers have had a really positive season so far, it would have been great to get further in the Champions League but realistically we competed well with Benfica, gave a good account of ourselves and a platform to build on. As for the league season it has just been a continuation from last season, playing good football and scoring lots of goals! Hopefully we can add a trophy in the next few weeks as it was disappointing to miss out on the cups last season.
Clare: “I would say it’s been a great start to the league season with the exception of the disappointment of losing the first fixture against one of the other top teams against Glasgow City. It felt unusual to have be so far into the season before meeting one of the other top clubs. Being knocked out of the League Cup (a trophy Celtic won last year) was a big disappointment but hopefully lessons learned and plenty more to play for.”
2. How do you think the manager is viewed in the eyes of the fans?
Laura: “I would say currently Malky Thomson is viewed positively and it’s not a big discussion amongst the fans with the team doing so well. It came up last year that he should go when we couldn’t beat City and Celtic but the team has turned that around and they go strength to strength so it’s a happy camp (so far).”
Clare: “Generally positive in regards to Fran Alonso especially as he seems to have consistently improved the side and got results. There has been some frustration around how much he rotates players coupled some questionable team selections but it feels like maybe so far this season at least the depth of the squad has negated that somewhat.”
3. Who has been the stand out player this term and what does she bring?
Laura: “For me I would say it’s 17-year-old Kirsty MacLean, for such a young player she has came into the team and anyone would think she’d been playing for a lot longer than she has, she didn’t even look out of place in the Champions League which is a testament to the way she plays and she certainly has a bright future along with Emma Watson who has also been fantastic.”
Clare: I’d say Australian midfielder Jacynta has been exceptional this season. She is up there in terms of goal scoring with already much higher numbers than last season but it also feel like she’s really hit her stride in terms of being able to create opportunities and break through defences. Her increased confidence seems to have translated into seeing more of her skill as a playmaker and her partnership with Clarissa Larisey (the Canadian international leads the scoring charts with 11 league goals this season) has benefitted them both.”
4. Has there been any disappointments this season?
Laura: “Fortunately, no massive disappointments so far however we should have stuck our chances away at the weekend against City!”
Clare: “Biggest disappointment in terms of games was probably losing to Spartans on penalties in the Sky Sports Cup Quarter Final considering how we had controlled the game and with their equaliser came so late.”
5. What are your expectations ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm derby?
Laura: “I think we go into the game confident and after the game against City I think the players will want to ensure they’re a lot more clinical than they were. Plus it’s an Old Firm, we’ve had some good results in these games recently, but we also can’t be complacent, it’ll still be a tough game.”
Clare: “I’m expecting a really tough challenge on Sunday from a team in great form who are used to winning. However I’m optimistic that this Celtic side, with the right players, can absolutely rise to the occasion and have the quality to get a result.”
6. Any concerns ahead of the game?
Laura: “If we play our game then I have no concerns about getting a result, however if we let them dictate play it’ll be tense I think.”
Clare: “I’d be concerned that we don’t start quickly enough and don’t come out attacking. In a fixture like this there’s no time to get into the game so we need to be on it from the first whistle and concentration levels cannot drop. If we let it get scrappy early on I would really start to worry.”
7. Who do you think will be key to winning it for your side?
Laura: “Recent Scotland debutant Brogan Hay will be key. If she is allowed to play the way she can then she’ll run riot.”
Clare: “I think Fran needs to select a team with the ability to work the ball effectively through the midfield using players like Natalie Ross and Lisa Robertson to good effect. I also think the huge experience of players like that will be an important factor in getting a result. If we can create enough opportunities for Jacynta and Clarissa to get on the ball in the final third I would be quite optimistic.”
8. How does the rivalry between the sides compare to the men’s game?
Laura: “I think people always view it as a rivalry because of the history of the clubs however the mixed crowds at both stadiums means it isn’t as intense as the men’s game. Having it segregated may help to create more of an atmosphere but it seems to be something the women’s game isn’t as keen on with the majority having mixed crowds. Possibly something that will be looked at when the crowds grow.”
Clare: “I think some of the team rivalries are building up a bit and crowds do tend to self segregate especially at smaller grounds. I think the strongest rivalry in the league would absolutely still be Celtic and Rangers but I’d say there’s starting to be a bit of an edge with Glasgow City as well.
It’s a tricky one for those of us who just want all of Scottish women’s football to do well…a rising tide carries all ships etc. so definitly not as present in the women’s game. I also think we need to be careful not to promote women’s football exclusively as soft and fuzzy and family friendly because rivalries are absolutely part of being a football fan and women’s football should be taken just as seriously!”
9. We’re talking ahead of a marquee weekend for the SWPL, how do you view your clubs progression off the pitch?
Laura: “I’d say the club is progressing well and are doing a lot for girls getting involved in football with players visiting local clubs as a bit of inspiration, so the community aspect is great.”
Clare: “I’ve definitely been disappointed with how the club has dealt with the women’s team this season from a practical point of view to make it easy for fans to support the team.
There seems to be a lack of joined up thinking and making things up as they go along in terms of the women’s set up that is extremely frustrating. There have been some positives like including women’s team goals in the club’s Goal of the Month, promoting the women’s team at Celtic Park and doing more on social media but until the practical side of things with attending games and coverage is sorted it all seems a bit like putting the cart before the horse.”
10. What’s the best thing your club are doing off the pitch?
Laura: “Inspiring the up-and-coming generation to get involved in football, with the move to Broadwood the crowd is slowly growing and the young girls watching on now have heroes to look up to. The end of the game when the players stop and sign autographs and take pictures is great to see.”
Clare: “Promotion of the women’s game at Celtic Park and on main social media channels has improved.”
11. What’s the thing you would like to see more of?
Laura: “Some more content from the team on the social media side of things would be great, it seems to have fallen away a little bit. Content to help people get to know the players more and build that connection to get more people interested would make a difference in getting people along to games.
An area that could also be improved is the communication side, with information either not always available or given at the last minute.”
Clare: “Practical communication around the womens team to fans and media needs to improve drastically. I’d also like to see the club encouraging the men’s first team to attend games or to publicly promote the women’s game more in order to normalise women’s football as an integral part of the club. Basically getting the basics right then more out of the box thinking and ambition when it comes to the women’s game.”
12. Last question, gies a prediction for Saturday evening.
Laura: “Rangers to win 2–0 for me.”
Clare: “Celtic win 2–1!”
Rangers take on Celtic this Saturday ar 5:15pm at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld. Tickets are available through both clubs and the game will also be live on BBC Alba.