Sunderland 2-0 Celtic FC Women – Behind closed doors defeat for Ghirls | OneFootball

Celtic FC Women were on the end of a defeat to Women’s Super League 2 side Sunderland yesterday afternoon, with Eleanor Dale and Katy Watson making the difference for the hosts in this behind closed doors pre-season friendly.

Celtic started the game with Rodgers; Lawton, Clark, Walsh, Richardson; Momo, McAneny; Cross, Watson, Westin and Noonan. On the bench was Logan, Ross, Gallacher, Smith, Dawson, McGoldrick and an unnamed trialist.

The home side opened the scoring early through Dale. She was played in by Reanne Blades, and struck from the edge of the area.

Sunderland took the 1 nil lead into the break and the club reported that Celtic were looking to create the equaliser early in the half. Nothing came though, and the English side held their lead.

On the 55 minute mark, last season’s top scorer Saoirse Noonan made way for the unnamed trialist. Could this indicate that Elena Sadiku may be scouting for a new striker? Or was this simply a tactical change that required Noonan to make way?

In the 79th minute, Sunderland slotted another past the goalkeeper, making it 2-0. There would be no further goals.

A defeat on the road but “more valuable minutes in the legs”, quote from the club, ahead of Celtic’s season opener in the capital.

The reaction on social media to the loss has been far from pleasant, with criticism towards Celtic for failing to bring in anymore players. The only talent added to Sadiku’s squad so far is Lisa Robertson and Claire Walsh. Compare that to other SWPL sides, such as Glasgow City, who have made five good signings so far.

With that being said, there is still time for signings as the transfer window doesn’t close until 9 September. There is also the domestic loan window, which opens on 10 September and closes on 7 October.

No more news to bring you on future pre-season fixtures, but let’s hope the next will be available to attend or watch.

Don’t forget that Celtic Women kick off their SWPL campaign against Hearts on 17 August and that match will be shown on BBC Sport Scotland.

Elena Sadiku, Celtic FC Women v theRangers, New Douglas Park, Sky Sports Cup semi-final. Sunday 19 January 2025. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Hopefully there will be a number of new signings coming in before then as we have added only two new signings despite 10 players leaving the club at the end of that disastrous campaign last season with Celtic ending up with a fourth place finish in the SWPL, hitherto though of as a three horse race.

Jessica Elliott

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CELTIC IN THE EIGHTIES BY DAVID POTTER, FOREWORD BY DANNY McGRAIN is published by Celtic Star Books on the fifth day of September. You can pre-order now to guarantee your copy which will be signed by Danny McGrain, with just a limited number of signed copies still available, although they are selling very quickly.

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, pre-order now

Alec McNair – Celtic’s Icicle, available now at just £5 with FREE postage when ordering with David Potter’s last book Celtic in the Eighties

Thank you to everyone who has already pre-ordered and don’t worry, your copy will be signed by the legendary Celtic and Scotland star who captained Celtic for the early years of the 1980s.

And from today we’ve reduced the price of an earlier David Potter book – Celtic’ Icicle – Alec McNair – to just £5, so when you order with Celtic in the Eighties you get two books and better still the postage is only charged on one. Offer available for a short period only as we have a very limited number of copies of David’s wonderful book on Alec McNair left.

So why have one brilliant David Potter book when you can enjoy two?

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Foreword by Danny McGrain. Published on Celtic Star Books on 5 September 2025. Click on image to pre-order.

Help raise funds for Celtic Youth Academy by playing the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery and you could win up to £25,000. The lottery is £1 per week. Click on image to join.

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