Rangers & Celtic ready for first SWPL derby showdown

Rangers and Celtic shared the SWPL points evenly in last season's derbies

The first Old Firm derby of the SWPL season has arrived and with it the potential to get our first idea of where the trophy might be heading in May.

Rangers top of the table with maximum points from their opening seven games. Glasgow City are on the same mark, having played one more match.

Celtic are two points behind from their seven outings, while their goal difference of 23 is miles off Rangers' 50.

In the league meetings last season, the sides could not be split. Celtic won one, Rangers won one and the other two ended all square.

The rivals were levels on points going into the final match, with Amy Gallacher's last-minute strike earning Celtic a win over Hibs that would seal the title on goal difference.

Still reeling from the hurt, Thursday is Rangers' first chance for revenge.

"To lose the title on goal difference, we took that personally," manager Jo Potter said.

"So I wanted to make sure we weren't losing out on goals, that we were ruthless. The goal difference is pretty extreme at the moment, we’ve only conceded one goal and we’ve scored plenty.

"We wanted to tighten up at both ends and we've definitely done that so far."

Ones to watch

There have been several new faces through the doors at both clubs this summer but none have made a bigger impact than Katie Wilkinson, who has 16 goals and four assists for Potter's side.

"I think that shows our intent, we’ve got a lot of strikers on our books at the moment so to bring another one in to make competition heavier and healthier says a lot about what we want to do," said Potter.

"Wilko can score in big moments and take chances whenever they come her way."

Across town, Irish striker Saoirse Noonan has the task of filling the void left by Natasha Flint and has six goals in five games so far.

There is strength and depth across the pitch for both teams but it seems like the top end will be most important.

Taking chances in tight games will be massive.

And Celtic boss Elena Sadiku knows the threat their opponents will pose, saying: "Rangers are a different team now.

"They play more direct than they did before so we need to be careful of those threats but also play how we want to play."

Who has the form?

Rangers have a 100% league record, while Celtic's only blip was a goalless draw against Hibs.

Rangers suffered two heavy defeats in Champions League qualifying - a 6-0 loss to Arsenal before a 3-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid. Celtic won all of their qualifiers and booked a spot in the group stage for the first time.

Their first game in that competition is in just five days against Twente and it looks like the most winnable in a group that also contains Real Madrid and Chelsea.

Although she may not admit it, Sadiku will surely have one eye on that huge match.

"All the games matter," the Celtic boss added.

"We go into every game to win and that's exactly what we're going to do against Rangers.

"We're going to make sure we put in a great effort to win the game."