Morgan Cross equaliser keeps Celtic FC Women in title race | OneFootball

Glasgow City 1-1 Celtic FC Women – Late equaliser keeps Celtic involved in title race but Ghirls need to find a way to win these key matches against Glasgow City and theRangers…

The Celtic FC Women team comes out. Glasgow City v Celtic FC Women, Sunday 8 February 2026.. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Celtic FC Women were held to a draw by Glasgow City yesterday as a top-of-the-table clash kept the gap at five points in Cit’s favour…

The Celtic Huddle. Glasgow City v Celtic FC Women, Sunday 8 February 2026.. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

The match kicked off, and Celtic were pushing right from the start. They had a few chances created in the opening minutes, but they were well defended by the home side.

With 20 minutes on the clock, after a spell of City being in control, Celtic winger Morgan Cross almost broke to find the opener.

Emma Lawton suffers a nose injury. Celtic FC Women against Glasgow City in SWPL1 on Sunday 8 February 2026. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Emma Lawton suffers a nose injury. Celtic FC Women against Glasgow City in SWPL1 on Sunday 8 February 2026. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Then 34 minutes in, disaster struck for the Celts. Lisa Forrest collided with Emma Lawton, and the defender went down immediately. Covered in blood, the medical team were brought onto the pitch, and everyone knew that the defender could not continue. She was replaced by January signing Maddi Wilde, who made her debut for Grant Scott’s side. The challenge incidentally was clearly completely accidental but it looked like Emma Lawton may have suffered a broken nose.

Emma Lawton suffers a nose injury. Celtic FC Women against Glasgow City in SWPL1 on Sunday 8 February 2026. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

There was little separating the sides going into the break aside from a few good attacks from Tara O’Hanlon. Right before half-time, the ball fell to Poppy Pritchard in front of goal, but the striker was unable to find the target from inside the box, hitting her effort just over the crossbar. It was the biggest chance of the half and one that Poppy would usually bury.

The second half kicked off, and City looked in control of the match. It therefore came as no surprise when, with an hour gone, they eventually found the breakthrough. Lisa Rodgers claimed the ball, but it unfortunately slipped through her hands. Kelly Clark was unable to recover, and Nicole Kozlova was able to tap it home. Celtic were behind in a match they simply could not afford to lose and it was pretty much self-inflicted.

After conceding, the Hoops looked to get back on the front foot. Maria McAneny was a brilliant attacking force as she was putting numerous of good balls into the City penalty area, and eventually one landed.

Morgan Cross celebrates scores for Celtic FC Women against Glasgow City in SWPL1 on Sunday 8 February 2026. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

McAneny’s low cross found the the feet of Morgan Cross, who managed to fire it in at the back post.

Morgan Cross celebrates scores for Celtic FC Women against Glasgow City in SWPL1 on Sunday 8 February 2026. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Celtic continued to put pressure on the home side after the goal, and a McAneny free kick was sent towards Claire Walsh, whose attempt was denied by the woodwork.

Evie Rabjohn was brought on with four minutes to go as she made her debut, but there was nothing to separate the sides in the end as the referee blew her whistle to put an end to an exciting affair.

Post Match Analysis

It was certainly an exciting game for Celtic. We all knew going into this one that anything but a loss was necessary if we wanted to stay involved in the title race. Although a win would have been better, a draw is satisfactory given it was away from home against the SWPL leaders.

Grant Scott speak to the team after the 1-1 draw away to Glasgow City. Sunday 8 February 2026.. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

One point of concern is that this continues our run of not winning against either Glasgow City or theRangers. I was planning to ask Grant Scott if this is something he is worried about, but was denied post-match access to Celtic despite being granted accreditation by City (on freelance duties today, mind you!) and following all the correct procedures.

Grant Scott, Celtic FC Women manager watches on as Celtic FC Women takes on Glasgow City. Sunday 8 February 2026.. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

So that question will have to wait for another day, but I was happy enough with what I saw today from Celtic FC Women in the first half. The second half, however, was a totally different story.

I think City played us off the park for a majority of the second 45, with Celtic only really finding their feet towards the end of the game. The loss of Emma Lawton having to be taken off was certainly a factor, but still no reason we should be getting overrun this easily.

Tara O’Hanlon in action for Celtic FC Women against Glasgow City. Sunday 8 February 2026.. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

On the plus side, Rabjohn, O’Hanlon and Wilde all looked promising additions to the Celtic FC Women squad. O’Hanlon put in a really important tackle early into the game, and although she was caught out once, she was a rock at the back.

I was really impressed with what Wilde showed, as she proved that she has the attacking and defensive ability. She’s basically a second Lawton, which is always a good thing. Rabjohn was utilised in midfield, and we didn’t see much of her, but there were promising signs from the 20-year-old.

Poppy Pritchard in action for Celtic FC Women against Glasgow City. Sunday 8 February 2026.. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

One player I thought was disappointing today was Poppy Pritchard. Although I am, personally, a massive fan after her performances in the Hoops so far, today just wasn’t her day. She couldn’t get on the end of through balls, and towards the end of the game, she even stopped running for them. It was like she had given up! I was confused as to how she played the entire 90 minutes, as I expected her to be hooked for Saoirse Noonan.

Speaking of Noonan, it would be great to see her back in a Celtic shirt. 10 goals in 12 league games this season is a good record, but apparently not enough for the Irish international to get a nod up front. Again I would have asked the manager about that but was denied by the Celtic staff going out of their way to frustrate any attempts to promote the Celtic FC Women’s team.

Maria McAneny battles for the ball. Celtic FC Women against Glasgow City in SWPL1 on Sunday 8 February 2026. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Next up for Celtic is a trip to the capital to face Hearts in the Women’s Scottish Cup. That game is set to be played on Sunday, 15 February, with a 3pm kick-off at Oriam. This sets up a double header against the Jambos, with our last game before the split being played on 22 February at ‘home’ over at Hamilton.

Here’s how the SWPL1 table looks after the weekend’s fixtures…

Grant Scott’s post-match thoughts…

Player’s View from Tara O’Hanlon…

Here’s the Unique Angle…

Keep the faith.

Jessica Elliott

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order

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