The Scottish Women’s Premier League Old Firm derby takes place on Friday evening, as Celtic and Rangers go toe to toe under the lights at the Excelsior Stadium east of Glasgow.
Just a single point separates the two sides in SWPL1, and after the pair played out a stalemate in their last meeting, another tightly-fought contest is expected.
With added ramifications for the Champions League race, there is more than just local pride on the line on Friday.
Celtic manager Fran Alonso confirmed that two unnamed players are currently doubts for Friday’s fixture, but he is hopeful that they will be fit enough to feature, while all of the squad members returning from international duty still have to be assessed.
Jacynta Galabadaarachchi is ‘not 100%’, but has returned to training following a foot injury. New signings Natasha Flint and Hana Kerner are fit and available to start, while fellow new arrival Molli Plasmann is out as she continues her comeback from an ACL injury.
Veteran striker Jane Ross remains a long-term absentee for Rangers as she continues her recovery from a serious knee injury sustained in July.
Rangers also have a selection of players returning to the club following the international break, with Sam Kerr, Lauren Davidson, Nicola Docherty, Brogan Hay and Jenna Fife all featuring for Scotland at the Pinatar Cup.
Celtic and Rangers played out a 0-0 draw when they last met in November. Celtic currently lead their rivals by a single point in the SWPL1 table, but Rangers are unbeaten in the league this season.
Neither team has lost since the turn of the year – Rangers held league leaders Glasgow City to a draw in January, while Celtic have conceded just once in their previous 11 outings. Everything points towards another tightly-contested affair, and there may well be nothing to separate the two sides.
