City win but ‘could do better’

Celtic 1 City 2

It was a far from vintage performance from the champions, leaving head coach Eddie Wolecki Black pleased with the win but expecting a lot more from his players next Sunday when the two sides meet again in the League Cup semi-final.

Black said: “Of course, we are delighted to get the three points and the win but it was a game we made hard for ourselves.

“Losing the goal gave Celtic a wee bit of hope — and a match that was in our total control became a little bit more difficult.

“However, we saw it out and I hope the girls are going to learn from this as the exact same thing happened against Aberdeen a few weeks ago.

“It will definitely be something we will look at and speak to the players about over the next few days. We play Celtic again next weekend in the Cup semi-final and I’m hopeful it will be a different City team they face that day.

“We will have a full week of training to prepare, which will help as it wasn’t easy playing Spartans midweek and then Celtic today, two potential top four sides within four days, so I am looking for a far better performance next week.”

Glasgow City enjoyed the opening chances with Hayley Lauder seeing her shot saved by Laura Hamilton in the Celtic nets after only six minutes. Brown and Grant both went close in particular before the unfortunate Emily McKerlie turned the ball into her own net after City’s Erin Cuthbert fired a vicious cross along the Celtic six yard box.

Cuthbert was the victim of a number of heavy challenges during the match, with two Celtic players shown yellow for fouls on the City number 22.

Laura Hamilton in the Celtic nets pulled off the save of the match denying a certain goal from City captain Leanne Ross. But City soon after made it 2-0 after Lauder capitalised on an error from Hamilton.

City passed up on two good chances to extend their lead.

Kirstin McGuire fired past City keeper Lee Alexander with less than 15 minutes remaining but Celtic struggled to create chances in the remaining minutes.

City introduced young striker Alyshia Walker with ten minutes to go, but the forward lasted only four minutes before having to go off injured after a heavy 50/50 collision with Celtic’s Chloe Craig.

Glasgow City play again next Sunday when they take on Celtic in the League Cup semi-final. Kick off is 12pm at Ainslie Park, Spartans FC.