Hearts Women moved to within one point of the SWPL summit with a commanding 4-1 victory over Celtic at Oriam on Wednesday night.
Eva Olid made two changes from the side that faced Hibernian ten days ago, with Carolina Vilao replacing Rachael Johnstone in goal and skipper Georgia Hunter coming in for Danique Ypema.
The women in maroon were looking to bounce back from defeat in the Edinburgh Derby last time out and they started on the front foot with Georgia Timms and Carly Girasoli both going close in the opening ten minutes.
Both sides were enjoying their fair share of possession but in a first half of few openings, Hearts found the breakthrough, just before the interval. Good play from Jess Husband down the right wing saw her get to the byline and deliver a looping cross, which Celtic keeper Lisa Rodgers could only punch into her own net.
Hearts had their tails up after that opener, with Celtic begging for the half-time whistle. It didn’t come in time for the Hoops, as Hearts doubled their lead from a set piece in the final minute of normal time. The corner wasn’t dealt with by the visitors and from the second phase, Erin Husband was able to slot home at the back post.
Half-time: Hearts 2-0 Celtic
Hearts would’ve expected a reaction from Grant Scott’s side at the break, but Celtic got off to the worst possible start in the second 45 with Maddi Wilde shown a straight red card for a handball on the goalline.
Georgia Timms stepped up to take the resulting penalty and sent Rodgers the wrong way to put the women in maroon in a commanding position.
To the visitors credit, they battled back and got themselves on the board on 58 minutes. Saoirse Noonan with a great first touch to bring down a cross on the chest, before prodding the ball past Carolina Vilao to reduce the deficit.
From nowhere, Celtic had their tails up and Noonan had the ball in the net again just minutes later with an excellent downward header, however the whistle had already blown for a foul in the build-up.
The introductions of Eilidh Shore and Danique Ypema saw Hearts regain control of the game and they restored their three-goal advantage on 70 minutes with a textbook finish from Johns. Receiving the ball wide left, the striker shifted the ball onto her right foot, finding half a yard in the process before curling the ball expertly into the far corner.
The Jambos had chances to add to their lead in the closing stages with Joely Andrews and second half substitute Monica Forsyth going close, but four goals was more than enough on the night as the Jambos ran out comfortable and deserving winners.
Attention quickly turns to a huge match against Glasgow City on Sunday night.
