Ghirls kick off 2025 with victory in Gran Canaria

Friendly
Wednesday, January 8
Estadio Municipal Puerto de Mogan

FEMARGUIN…1
(O.G 39)

CELTIC…2
(Noonan 36, O.G 79)

Celtic FC Women kicked off the year with victory after running out 2-1 winners against Femarguin in their first outing of 2025.

Saoirse Noonan fired the Hoops into a first-half lead, before the Celts were quickly pegged back.

However, a second half own goal seen the Ghirls secure victory, continuing the hard work out in Gran Canaria.

With a return to competitive action on the horizon this coming weekend, Elena Sadiku’s side have ramped up their preparations ahead of Sunday.

Wednesday evening’s match was the next part of those preparations as they faced off against the Spanish side during their winter training camp in Gran Canaria.

With it being a few weeks since the Celts were last in action, it would have been understandable for the squad to take some time to build into the match.

But the Ghirls made a fast start to proceedings and were unfortunate not to find themselves in the lead early on.

The first shot on goal of the evening fell the way of Amy Gallacher, who got the effort off after a well-worked passing move.

On the right-hand side, Mathilde Carstens was causing havoc for the home side, whilst Saoirse Noonan and Morgan Cross were also having a positive impact with efforts on goal.

It took until just beyond the half hour mark for the deadlock to be broken as Noonan fired home the opening goal of the match.

Another well-worked move down the right seen Carstens find Gallacher in the wide area. Picking her head up, the Scottish forward delivered a pinpoint pass onto the head of Noonan, who made no mistake with the finish.

It was a well-earned opening goal for the Hoops, who had put in a strong first-half showing. However, it didn’t take long until Femarguin levelled the score.

Having not been troubled all that much in the opening stages, it was an own goal which would see the Celts pegged back as the Spaniards found an equaliser before the break.

In any friendly outings, one of the main focuses is the performances, and it was one the Celts could be happy with in the first 45.

Heading into the second half, the Celtic boss was able to make some changes to her side, introducing the substitutes.

That didn’t seem to affect the flow of the game, with Emma Lawton having a big chance to score a second at the back post from a corner.

The defender was unlucky not to get on the end of the ball, with the home side being let off by a small touch by the centre-back.

Having come off the bench, Maria McAneny was also unfortunate not to add to the scoring, seeing an effort come off the post after looking to find the bottom corner.

It was another substitute who would have an impact on the game-winning moment, with Amy Richardson delivering a dangerous cross into the box, which was ultimately turned into the back of her own net by a Femarguin defender.

It was a positive showing from the Ghirls, during their winter training camp out in Gran Canaria.

The preparations continue into Thursday as the Celts gear up for SWPL action on Sunday against Partick Thistle at New Douglas Park.

CELTIC (First Half): Logan, Barclais, Hayes, Bruna, Lawton, Ross, McGregor, Gallacher, M. Carstens, Cross, Noonan

(Second Half): Daugherty (Rodgers 60), Lawton, Bruna, Luana, Richardson, Cavanagh, McGregor, McAneny, Smith, M. Carstens, Cross