eightsome reel as celts crush rangers

David Friel
CELTIC created history by hammering Rangers 8-0 in the first-ever senior derby between the two clubs in the women’s game.

Some 121 years after Celtic beat Rangers 5-2 in the inaugural male derby, the pressure was on the Hoops to maintain this proud tradition and they didn’t disappoint as they went goal crazy at a rain-lashed Lennoxtown.

Captain Amy McDonald led by example with the opener and Lauren MacMillan added the second. Top scorer Suzanne Grant grabbed her usual hat-trick and Jo Love, Christie Murray and Julie Scott rounded off the scoring.

Leaving aside the rivalry, it was a vital win for the Hoops, who are still vying with Glasgow City for the title. The Hoops have two games to go – against Forfar and City – and maximum points would secure the title.

“I was absolutely delighted with the performance and result,” said manager Robert Docherty. “I thought our players handled the occasion superbly well and played excellent football in poor conditions.

“The movement, pace and creativity of Pauline Hamill and Suzanne Grant in particular caused Rangers problems all afternoon. However, it was a fantastic team performance and, once again, the players did themselves and the club proud.

“It was also good to keep a clean sheet. I thought our goals were superb and we could have scored more, but our back four also worked extremely hard to limit Rangers to very few chances. Any shot they did have was mostly from long-range and was dealt with comfortably by Gemma Fay.

“We now have two massive games left against Glasgow City and Forfar and if we win both, we win the league. All credit must go to our players. They have been absolutely brilliant in the main this season, so let’s hope they can finish the job off.”

With a fair bit of hype surrounding the game, Celtic needed an early opener to settle them and McDonald provided it in eight minutes. MacMillan split the defence with a pass and the Hoops captain calmly slotted home.

Rangers kept Celtic at bay for the next 20 minutes but the Hoops kept pressing and MacMillan grabbed No.2. A short corner was worked to the edge of the box and she curled home an unstoppable effort.

Grant had started the match in fine form and she opened her account for the day in 31 minutes. Julie Ferguson found the striker on the right and her finish was typically clinical.

Just two minutes before half-time, Celtic added a fourth. A flowing move ended with the gifted Hamill rounding the goalkeeper and squaring for Love, who tapped home at the back post.

The fifth goal arrived in 45 minutes. Murray’s skill and pace took her away from defenders and she spotted the run of Grant. The Hoops striker ran through and chipped the goalkeeper from 20 yards.

Celtic continued to control the game and made it 6-0 in 68 minutes. Grant and Murray combined on the right and the midfielder lashed home a fantastic shot from 23 yards.

Grant then completed her hat-trick in trademark fashion. Murray again produced the assist with a cross from the right and Grant slotted home her 28th goal of the season.

Seven would have been magnificent but Celtic added an eighth just before the end. The influential Rebecca Bisland played a pass to substitute Scott and she rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home to seal an historic victory.

Scottish Women’s Premier League
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Lennoxtown Training Ground

CELTIC…8
(McDonald 8, McMillan 27, Grant 31, 45, 73, Love 43, Murray 68, Scott 89)
RANGERS…0

CELTIC (4-3-1-2) Fay; Ferguson, Burns, McDonald, MacMillan; Love, Bisland, Murray (Melrose 76), Crichton; Grant (Dempster 76), Hamill (McInally 76)
Subs not used: Ramsay, Penglase, Seagrave