Hibs Women 4 Celtic 2

Hibernian secured a pivotal 4-2 victory over Celtic in the penultimate game of the 2024/2025 season, remaining three points clear in the SWPL.

Ciara Grant opened the scoring early into the match, with Kathleen McGovern doubling the lead mere minutes later. McGovern netted a third for the Hibees before Eilidh Adams’ slid in the fourth. Celtic were unable to complete a comeback, scoring only two at Meadowbank.

Kirsty Morrison was the only change in Grant Scott’s starting line-up, with the rest of the team remaining unchanged after Sunday’s draw against Glasgow City.

In the opening minutes of the match, Adams looked to break the deadlock. She raced down the outside of Celtic's defence and took a strike, but Celtic keeper Lisa Rodgers saved the striker's shot. 

A couple of minutes later, a foul on our number nine brought Hibees the break they needed.

Ciara Grant stepped up to deliver the dead ball from a wide area, with her whipped ball driving past Rodgers at her near post to give Hibs an early lead. 

Celtic responded quickly with Abigail Harrison unable to take her chance to even the score at Meadowbank, as Noa Schumacher was alert and made an important save.

Another opportunity opened for Hibs after Grant charged down the outside, bypassing Celtic’s off guard midfield.

The midfielder delivered the ball over to Morrison, whose attempt was saved - but seconds later, the ball fell to McGovern who seized the opportunity and doubled Hibs advantage. 

Not long after, Caley Gibb fired an electrifying cross over to a waiting McGovern in the box. Our number 10 fired the ball past Rodgers to score Hibs third goal of the game.

The assist was a significant moment for Gibb as it was her first for the club since returning on loan in February, while it was McGovern's 31st goal of the campaign across all competitions. 

Celtic struck the woodwork twice in quick succession while chasing a way back into the match.

Morgan Cross took on a shot while running through the middle, however, the strike hit the crossbar. McGovern attempted to clear Celtic’s subsequent corner but her clearance only found the feet awaiting Harrison, whose attempt also struck the crossbar.

In the closing minutes of the first half, Celtic found their breakthrough. Saoirse Noonan ran up the wing as Schumacher rushed from her line in an attempt to clear away the attack. Noonan calmly slotted past the Hibs keeper to bring the visitors back into the match.

After a strong first half, the Hibees continued to put the visitors under heavy pressure and soon restored their three-goal cushion when a chance for Adams opened up. The forward stopped the ball dead before curling in sweetly beyond Rodgers.

Celtic looked to respond through substitute Lucy Ashworth-Clifford, as she surged forward with an attempt on a goal. However, Schumacher was waiting and made another crucial save. 

Celtic cut the deficit to two once more as Amy Gallagher's corner, after a brief stramash, ricocheted off Bruna Costa’s feet and bounced into the net. 

After the goal, Hibs looked to bounce back - with Morrison passing the ball to an eager McGovern who took on a strong shot, but ultimately narrowly missed the net. 

The whistle blew to bring the match to an end, with Hibs securing a crucial victory to remain three points clear at the top of the SWPL as they head into a title-deciding match against Rangers on Sunday at Ibrox.