Celtic 1-1 Hibernian
By Gethin Thurlow 22/9/25
Above: Linzi Taylor and Amy Gallacher battle for the ball Photo: Cynic Women
Kathleen McGovern and Lisa Rodgers continued their fine seasons as Celtic and Hibs played out an entertaining draw, which saw both teams slip further behind Rangers and Glasgow City in the SWPL.
The Teams
Elena Sadiku opted to stick with the team she has played throughout the season, although Hannah Luke came in for her debut at left back, allowing Lisa Robertson to move into her preferred position of centre midfield. She has covered effectively at left back, alongside Momo Nakao and Natalie Ross in the middle of the pitch Celtic sought to expose Hibs’ two holding players.
Grant Scott named a very strong side, containing lots of the players who played most of that mid-week Inter Milan game. Tegan Bowie came back in on the left, and Eilidh Adams once again started in attacking midfield, behind striker Kathleen McGovern.
The Action
It was indeed that midfield mismatch which defined the game. Celtic’s trio overpowered Grant and Notley, so while Hibs were able to move the ball down the wings, genuine chances evaded them early on and Celtic instead carried the greater threat on the counterattack.
Ross, Nakao and Robertson moved around fluidly in the centre of the pitch, and they were able to take advantage of some sloppy Hibs passes and touches, quickly turning up and the pitch, looking to feed Cross and McAneny on the wings.
It was also clear that Celtic had observed Schumacher’s recent play; long balls, forcing the American to come out of the box were tried a few times. On one such occasion, Schumacher comically ran into defender Linzi Taylor, taking both players out, but luckily for Hibs the ball fell to Hunter who subsequently cleared.
On the ten-minute mark, Celtic’s wingers connected well inside the box, and McAneny’s played a delicate cross into the middle, with Natalie Ross beating Hunter to the ball and blasting her header through the hands of Schumacher.
As Hibs looked to fight back into the game, it was basic errors and miscommunications that let them down. Ciara Grant had a notably frustrating day, with many of her passes finding empty space or being off target. As the half-time whistle blew, it was Sadiku’s side with the advantage, but they could not be entirely happy with the performance.
As the second half developed, Celtic started to dominate the ball a bit more, and even bringing on new signing Jess Fitzgerald could not stop Hibs’ players failing to be on the same page.
Where Hibs did have some success was players making individual dribbles, with Rosie Livingstone, Tegan Bowie and Caley Gibb all moving effectively down the wings and manouvering past many Ghirls’. Lisa Rodgers was always there to make any saves, while Walsh combined well with Clark at the back for Celtic, snuffing out any easy chances for the duo of Adams and McGovern.
With the game heading the hosts way, Grant gave the ball an ugly hack, bouncing high into the box. Neither Clark nor Walsh fully committed to taking responsibility for the clearance, which allowed McGovern to expertly spin through the middle of both players, while switching the ball to her left foot, allowing her to inch the ball low past the oncoming Lisa Rodgers, just catching the inside of the post.
From a relatively weak position, Hibs were back level and this goal suddenly sparked both teams into life. Celtic stopped time wasting and keeping the ball at the back, while Hibs started to believe again.
The introduction of Rachael Boyle at left back really helped inspire this Hibernian response, and she was able to cause Emma Lawton some issues, cutting inside to combine well with Bowie, who preferred to stay wide and provide a crossing threat with er deadly left foot.
Celtic continued to push the ball into the box, and Hibs were fully committed to breaking with speed and direct passing. McGovern found herself running through on goal in the dying seconds, but was denied by a strong and brave Lisa Rodgers, the ball bounced back to Morrison twice, but somehow Rodgers topped her last-second performance versus Hearts here with a triple save.
Player of the Match Momo Nakao
Nakao was part of that brilliant Celtic midfield which was able to frustrate Hibs’ midfield in a way most others cannot. Regularly winning the ball back, and reading the game well enough to take advantage of Hibernian’s mistakes, Nakao ensured her opponents had to produce moments of magic to get in behind this defence.
She was also a big threat in attack. Hovering towards the left side of the pitch, Linzi Taylor and Caley Gibb were tasked with limiting the threat of the Japanese midfielder as well as winger McAneny, which ultimately proved too much for them.
Often an unsung hero for Celtic, Nakao is not the frequent goalscorer, or an obvious playmaking threat, but in this game she was central to Sadiku’s attacking and defensive plans.
What this means
With Glasgow City and Rangers both winning, it puts each side two points further away from the top. Celtic stay in third place, with 13 points from six games, three behind Rangers and two behind City. However, Glasgow City do have a game in hand. While they will not be fully satisfied with a draw, after a loss in the derby a couple of weeks ago and a nervy win over Aberdeen last time out it was important to avoid a loss in this game.
The top of the table is still within reach, and all teams have shown vulnerability so far. Sadiku’s side look no less able to win the title than anyone else, and this performance showed an ability to play with the lead which they lacked last Sunday.
For Hibs, they are a further three points adrift of Celtic, although they also have a game in hand on the Ghirls and Rangers. It has been a tough start to the season, having to play four European games already, which is more than anyone else, and they have faced better opponents than City did too.
Despite this, they have kept themselves well in the title race and a point on the road against Celtic – having been knocked out of the Europa Cup mid-week – is a very respectable result. While Grant Scott won’t appreciate falling behind Rangers and Glasgow City, he knows all too well of this team’s ability to come from behind in the title race.
Teams Celtic (4-3-3): Rodgers, Lawton, Clark (c), Walsh, Luke, Ross, Robertson, Nakao, Cross, Gallacher, McAneny. Substitutes: Streicek (for Ross 59’), Courter (for Robinson 77’), McGoldrick (for Gallacher 90+1’), Dawson, Gay, Richardson, Tebbett
Scorer: Ross 10’
Hibernian (4-2-3-1): Schumacher, Gibb, L Taylor, Hunter, Papadopoulos, Grant, Notley (c), Livingstone, Adams, Bowie, McGovern. Substitutes: Fitzgerald (for Notley 63’), Boyle (for Papadopoulos 64’), Burchill (for Livingstone 70’), Morrison (for Adams 85’), Armitage, Boughton, Herron, Ramsey, I Taylor
Scorer: McGovern 72’
Referee: Ross Birrell
Attendance: TBH
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