There were just over 500 fans inside Petershill to take in the game – with Celtic boss Elena Sadiku and Scotland manager Melissa Andreatta among them – but what they got a glimpse of is what City have assembled this season. And it’s nothing something that will be easily bought in the January transfer window.

Celtic will see it up close this afternoon as they host the Petershill side who have the stingiest defensive record in the league and who are the only team who can boast unbeaten status.

But what they will have got a look at on Wednesday night isn’t just a team where the balance seems right but a team who play as a team. Not just in terms of how they line up and a tactical approach that plays to the strengths of the players available, but in terms of fight, desire, camaraderie and character.

This was a City side that were never in control of the Europa Cup tie against Koge until the 92nd minute of the second leg. Eight minutes earlier they were on their way out of Europe.

Leanne Ross’ rallying call as goalkeeper Ema Aleksic tried to run down the clock backfired on the Danes as Emma Brownlie and Lisa Forrest tipped the balance of the game entirely on its head.

It was nowhere near what could be described as a perfect performance; not with the volume of goals conceded by both sides. But this was a game where City never knew when they were beaten. Not when Koge scored just two minutes into the game to leave them facing a 3-1 deficit and not when they got themselves back into only to let it slide from their grasp again.

Brownlie was culpable for Koge’s third goal which looked to have sealed the victory for the visitors – certainly, by the celebrations as they huddled together on the touchline they thought they were on their way to the last 16 – but it was Brownlie who atoned for the indiscretion by pulling them back onto level terms as the minutes ticked down.

Forrest’s header caused some confusion with Ross having to yell at Scotland internationalist Lisa Evans to get the ball into the corner as she went on the attack – so befuddled by the seesawing nature of the game that she thought City still needed another to win it.

An abacus was needed by that stage.

But if Petershill hosted an iconic European evening, City will have it all again to do next month when they face Sporting Lisbon, their reward for getting to the last 16. The Portuguese side are currently joint top of the league and will be a tough ask for City to get beyond.

On paper the quality of Sporting should be enough to take them through but it would be remiss to bet against City and the spirit that they have harnessed in getting this far.

Fingers crossed the game gets the coverage it deserves.

AND ANOTHER THING

Caroline Weir netted a sumptuous effort for Real Madrid last weekend with the midfielder exuding all the confidence in the world right now.

As well she might. Fresh from a Ballon d’Or nomination and with an ACL injury firmly in the rearview mirror, Weir looks to be hitting her prime years in Spain.

It will be music to the ears of Melissa Andreatta as Scotland look towards two friendly games this coming week with a trip to Casablanca to play Morocco on Sunday night followed by a game against Dunfermline at East End Park against Switzerland.

East End Park means a return to a Weir’s hometown with the hope that there is a decent crowd willing to turn out to see the midfielder strut her stuff on local terrain.

There is a tantalising question, though for Andreatta in the build-up to these games and ahead of the looming World Cup qualifiers; who takes the captaincy?

Weir will be a clear part of that question but Erin Cuthbert will be in the mix too. Weir exudes elegance and grace in the middle of the pitch while Cuthbert showcases the more traditionally Scottish qualities of grit and tenacity. She is also not shy when it comes to offering a few pointers when things are not going well.

AND FINALLY

Celtic host Glasgow City today in Hamilton in the game of the day in the SWPL. But there is intrigue in this one for more than just the fact that it is first v second.

Elena Sadiku’s Celtic have toiled to win when they’ve been up against direct rivals for the title across recent seasons. They last beat City more than a year ago when a penalty decided the game on only the second league game of the campaign. If Celtic are to be taken seriously as title contenders – and are to take themselves seriously as title contenders – then these are the games where they need to be showing up.





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