Hearts were defeated 2-1 by Celtic in the opening match of the Scottish Women’s Premier League at Oriam on Sunday afternoon.
Elena Sadiku’s Celtic side were 2-0 up at half-time with goals from Natalie Ross and Morgan Cross.
Hearts striker Georgia Timms handed Hearts a late lifeline after she converted her penalty to make it 2-1 in the 90th minute, but ultimately the Jambos were edged out by Celtic.
Celtic came out the traps much quicker in the first half and controlled proceedings, as Hearts struggled to make their mark on the game.
On 17 minutes, Momo Nakao whipped a dangerous cross to the back post and Weston arrived with a powerful header, but her effort sailed over the bar.
The visitors took the lead shortly after. Morgan Cross was played in behind the Hearts backline and fired a powerful strike on her right foot into the bottom corner past Rachael Johnstone for 1-0.
Celtic doubled their advantage in the 34th minute. Hearts failed to clear their lines in the box and Natalie Ross pounced to loop the ball over the head of Johnstone for 2-0.
Half-time: Hearts 0-2 Celtic
The women in maroon looked to up their game in the second half.
The Jambos went on the front foot straight away. Lauren Wade dribbled well down the left wing and swung in an inviting cross to the back post looking for Monica Forsyth, but she wasn’t able to reach it.
In the 58th minute, Hearts had another decent opportunity to get a goal back.
Monica Forsyth slid in Carly Johns behind the Celtic backline. The striker was forced wider than she would’ve liked but still got a shot away, but it was saved well by Rodgers.
With 15 minutes left to go, it was a nervy moment in the Celtic goal for Lisa Rodgers. Debutant Keri Halliday whipped in a cross with plenty of pace from the left wing, which caught out Rodgers as she nearly spilled the ball into the net. But the Celtic backline were able to get it cleared.
In the dying embers Hearts were given a penalty. In the 89th minute, Georgia Timms stepped up and coolly dispatched the spot kick into the bottom left corner for 2-1.
The Jambos could have snatched a late equaliser not long after. After a frenzy at the back for Celtic, the ball broke kindly to Jenna Slattery in the box. The midfielder looked to slot the ball past Rodgers into the bottom right corner, but it was a comfortable take for the goalkeeper.
Hearts: Johnstone, Ypema (J. Husband 68’), Husband, Forsyth, Shore ©, Timms, Adamolekun (Greenwood 84’), Wade (Halliday 68’), Waldie, Andrews (Slattery 77’), Johns (Jardine 68’)
Subs: Vilao, Husband, Jardine, Greenwood, Halliday, Chomczuk, Slattery
Celtic: Rodgers, Walsh, Robertson, Ross, Gallacher, Clark ©, Westin, Cross, Lawton, Nakao, Mcaneny
Subs: Logan, Richardson, Streicek, Noonan, Dawson, McGoldrick
Speaking to the Official Hearts Website at full-time, manager Eva Olid said:
“Yeah, I think that the first half we were not good enough. I think that we were not aggressive in position and out of position and they were better than us that I say the team that cannot happen. We cannot waste 45 minutes to do what we have to do and the second-half. The team was excellent, but 45 minutes is not enough to win this game as we had to play like the second-half the entire 90 minutes.
“In the second-half we had key chances that we could score. I think their keeper was so good at saving those chances. That is totally our fault for the first half. But as I say, this cannot happen, we cannot go wasting 45 minutes like we have today.
“We started the first match with five injuries without key players of course, but I never want to use that excuse because we have excellent players, everyone can give 100% and help the team.
“To have five injuries is not the ideal scenario to start the league, but we have to be professional. I'm so happy with the rest of the team too, but they need to push and give that 100% always.
“We are the same team when we lose and and when we win and now our focus is on Rangers and and we want to win that game. We will do everything and hope it doesn't happen again like today and we can perform for the full 90 minutes.”
