CELTIC will have to surpass themselves if they are to deny Hibernian a third successive SWPL Cup triumph at Falkirk Stadium this afternoon. Judged by every available yardstick, the club from Edinburgh should win.
They did so 12 months ago in the final of the same competition, when goals from Kirsty Smith, Lucy Graham, Rachel McLauchlan and Rachael Small contributed to a 4-1 victory. The most recent league game between the sides also ended 3-1 in Hibs' favour, but the bruising encounter cost captain Joelle Murray a broken ankle and she is out until August.
Celtic acquitted themselves well at the K Park, but their high pressing game will be more difficult to sustain on the bigger Falkirk surface. They are also now without Heather Richards, who has had to take a break from game because of increased demands in her day job, while Ruesha Littlejohn, who scored in the final last year, is a doubt.
Murray, who will have an X-ray on Thursday to see how the bone is healing, admits she is not a good spectator but is pleased that another central defender, Siobhan Hunter, has recovered from a broken collarbone and played in the last two Hibs games.
Murray is impressed with Scotland under-19 midfielder Shannon McGregor, who Hibs signed in the winter.
“I knew a bit about her from when we played Aberdeen, but in her first training session her touch was unbelievable,” Murray says. “It was like she had glue on her boots. Her pace is also incredible and she's so tenacious. She's definitely one to watch, and has got all the attributes to get into the Scotland squad eventually.”
While Hibs have their sights on a fifth successive domestic knock-out trophy – their last defeat was in the 2015 Scottish Cup final when they were floored by Clare Shine's hat-trick for Glasgow City – Celtic will be attempting to win for only the second time in their history. Their only previous success was in 2010 when Rangers head coach Amy McDonald was the Celtic captain and they beat Spartans 3-1 in the final of the same competition. At least in central defender Cheryl McCulloch they have a player who know how to lift trophies.
The 28-year-old won seven winners' medals in her three years at Glasgow City. She brings experience and a winning mentality to the Celtic defence, even if yet another injury, this time to goalkeeper Megan Cunningham, is a further factor the Glasgow side will have to rise above today.
“We'll take confidence from the last game against Hibs,” McCulloch said. “We came off the park feeling disappointed with the scoreline and if we'd taken a couple more chances it could have been different.
“We are the underdogs, and we know that, but I think that will suit us. We need to be confident and start well. If we do that we give ourselves every opportunity.”
McCulloch joined Celtic from City last summer, having taken a seven month break, and admits she only got fully up to speed in winter pre-season training. She will need to be on her toes against a Hibs attack which has Abi Harrison and Lizzie Arnot returning to top form.
All Hibs' advantages are encapsulated in the goalkeeping position. Head coach Grant Scott has the luxury of choosing between Hannah Reid and Scotland No 3 Jenna Fife – with Reid likely to get the nod – while in the absence of Cunningham, Celtic manager David Haley has to place his faith in teenager Kiera Gibson.
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