



Celtic recorded their first competitive win of the season in torrid conditions, as Fran Alonso’s squad put St Johnstone to the sword with a punishing 6-0 win.

Summer Green opened her Celtic account after only 86 seconds, before an own goal helped the Hoops to a 2-0 lead at the break. A Rachel Donaldson effort and Sarah Ewens hat-trick sealed a confidence boosting win ahead of their league opener against Glasgow City.

Ewens did well to force a corner within the opening minute allowing the visitors to take an early lead as Green placed Robertson’s corner right into the top corner across the stretching keeper.

And a touch of fortune helped Celtic double the lead on the 22nd as Chloe Warrington seen her low cross turned in by the St Johnstone defender.

Celtic created a host of opportunities but had to wait until the 51st for their third. A diagonal ball found Green who drilled a low cross through the packed box for Ewens to slot in her first at the back post.

With 15 to go and the conditions worsening, Celtic went four to the good, with Green and Ewens linking up again, with Green pulling it back for Ewens to take a touch by the defenders and bury a classy finish. And it was five on the 81st, as Josi Giard and Donaldson combined off the bench to see Giard go on a mazy run inside to lay it off for Donaldson who finished with ease.

And the Celts maintained their punishing form until the last kick of the ball, as Ewens forced a Donaldson cross over the line despite St Johnstone’s best efforts to deny her her hat-trick.

Next up, Celtic face Glasgow City in their SWPL1 opener this Friday (February 21) at K-Park in a 7:30pm kick-off.

Celtic: Logan, Bartle (McBrearty), Craig (McCulloch), Clark, Warrington, Ross, Robertson, Green (Giard), Teegarden (Brenda), Ewens, McGovern (Donaldson)

Bench: Kerr, Smart