When the dust settles on the SWPL action this evening, there could be four teams all jostling for space at the top of the table.
As it stands, Glasgow City lead the pack after their 2-2 draw with Celtic on Friday night. It kept their noses in front – just – on goal difference but they could be usurped this afternoon.
A victory for Rangers against Partick Thistle and a win for Hibs against Montrose would mean that all four will share the same points tally. In that case, it would be Jo Potter’s side who would move top given their superior goal difference.
Who prevails from there on in may well be a test of nerve as much as anything else.
Certainly, though, what appears a certainty is that the league is all set for yet another engrossing climax to the campaign.
It has become the norm in the SWPL to expect cars – not helicopters – to change direction on the final day of the season and television cameras to chart the final drama as the tile pendulum swings in various directions.
Glasgow City’s last title triumph was arguably their most memorable; a last gasp goal at Ibrox giving them the Championship on a day where the champagne could have been uncorked in three different dressing rooms.
Last season it was Amy Gallagher who delivered Celtic’s first ever title with virtually the last kick of the ball at Celtic Park against a stuffy Hibs side as Rangers lost out on goal difference.
The manner in which recent title chases have ended have clearly had an impact in how teams have gone about their business this season with a notable ruthlessness in front of goal from the big guns at the top end of the table.
The optics for the league might not look good when Rangers have been shipping ten goals past Aberdeen or Celtic netting eight against Dundee United without breaking sweat and City swatting aside Montrose by the same scoreline.
But it is not incumbent upon those fighting it out for the title to spare a thought for the competitiveness of the league.
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The clear split between the professional level at the top end – and it is no mystery that Hibs are up there now keeping pace with the big three while Hearts too have been improved this term too – and the amateur level at the bottom has never been more notable.
Which is why the split means that the SWPL becomes the most competitive league in Europe. Motherwell may well find themselves in among that company if Paul Brownlie’s side can consolidate that top six place but the reality is that it is a tough playground to be in. The likelihood is that they will find themselves cannon fodder.
Celtic manager Elena Sadiku was bullish in the aftermath of Friday night’s draw against City as she insisted that ‘100%’ she believed her team would successfully defend their title.
Out of both Cup competitions, Celtic have only the league to focus on which may well play into their hands as the intensity ramps up over the coming weeks.
Rangers have been quiet for much of this season as Jo Potter’s side have gone about their business. There have been some question marks over their ability to handle the pressure of the bigger games with wobbles at the close of the year against Hibs and Glasgow City.
They have recovered their poise in recent weeks with a suspicion that the hurt of losing the title on the final day of the season fuelling their title fight.
How they handle those expectations now will be interesting to see.
City have the edge in that respect. The DNA of the club is success. In Ross and Leanne Crichton they have two coaches who have been over the course time and time again. The personnel of the team has changed and the structure of the league has moved since City were the dominant club in the country but the mentality remains.
That may well be the difference when it comes to the final push.
Grant Scott’s side will also relish the fact that they are punching above their weight at the minute. Few would anticipate that they have the depth to still be up there come the closing weeks of the season but they will be more than capable of influencing just where this title goes.
Certainly, it will be all eyes on the SWPL across the next few months.
AND ANOTHER THING
Little wonder that City were irked on Friday night. Lucy Ashworth-Clifford was at least 20 yards inside City’s half when the game kicked off – with Celtic scoring a minute later. The ball had not come out of City’s half by the time Amy Gallagher netted.
Elena Sadiku argued the infringement had no bearing on the goal and Leanne Ross accepted her side should have defended better for it but had a similar mistake been made in a high profile game in the SPFL we would be dissecting it for the next four days.
AND FINALLY
Lee Gibson has found herself benched for recent Scotland games.
Her double save against Celtic on Friday night as she denied a header from Luana from close range before following it up with a fingertip save would suggest that she may well have done her chances of taking back the number one shirt no harm at all.
