FORMER Forfar Farmington team-mates Kelly Clark and Rachael Small both hope to be lifting the SWPL Cup this afternoon when Celtic play Hibernian in the televised final at Broadwood.
Central defender Clark is the Celtic captain, while midfielder Small wears the armband for Hibs when Joelle Murray is unavailable. All being well Murray, who has had a tibia stress injury, should play.
While favourites Hibs are holders of both the domestic cup competitions, Celtic haven’t reached a final since 2010, when they won their one and only trophy by beating Spartans in this competition. Clark, who joined Celtic in 2013, said: “The club went through a transformation a few years ago. This is the first final in years for such a big club – it just shows things are on the up.”
Clark plays in Celtic’s back three and knows she and her team-mates will have to be at their best against a side who have beaten them twice in recent weeks. The second game, which Hibs won 2-1, was as recently as Tuesday night.
The recruitment of Americans Jaclyn Poucel and Darcy McFarlane, added to midfielders Kerry Montgomery and Natalie Ross, has confirmed Celtic as the most physical side in the SWPL. What they have lacked is goals against the better sides, but with Suzanne Mulvey’s return to the club, and former Hibs striker Sarah Ewens scoring in the last two games, that could be about to change.
Hibs have done their best work against Celtic in the second 45 minutes. Small said: “We’ve had really close games against them so I’m expecting a really tough challenge. For the last few finals Glasgow City have been the team to beat, and I’m sure now Celtic will be looking at us in the same way.”
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