Celtic Women kept their perfect start to the Scottish Women's Premier League season firmly on track with a composed 3-0 victory over Montrose LFC Women at a sunlit Excelsior Stadium. The Hoops were patient in their build-up, ruthless in front of goal, and never really looked in danger as they maintained their position at the summit of the SWPL table alongside Glasgow City.

Patience and precision break Montrose down

Montrose arrived with a clear game plan to sit deep and frustrate Celtic, and for the opening twenty minutes it worked. The visitors packed the penalty area and forced Celtic to move the ball from side to side, probing for gaps that were slow to appear. The breakthrough eventually came on 28 minutes when Celtic worked a short corner routine to the edge of the box and a first-time strike was deflected past the Montrose goalkeeper. The goal opened the floodgates slightly, and Celtic doubled their lead just before half-time with a sweeping team move that was finished emphatically at the far post.

A professional second-half display

The second half was a far more controlled affair. Celtic dominated possession without ever needing to over-exert themselves, and they added a third goal on 67 minutes when a pinpoint cross from the left was volleyed home from close range. Montrose, to their credit, never stopped working and did force a couple of late saves from the Celtic goalkeeper, but the clean sheet was never seriously under threat. It was precisely the kind of professional, game-managing performance that championship-winning sides produce.

Star performers on the Hoops side

Celtic's attacking threat was well spread across the front line, but it was the creativity of the midfielder pulling the strings that caught the eye. Her range of passing unlocked the stubborn Montrose defence time and again, while the wide forwards provided constant width and delivered a stream of dangerous crosses. At the back, Celtic's central defenders dealt comfortably with everything that came their way and started the moves that led to two of the three goals.

Standings and momentum

With three wins from three matches, Celtic Women sit joint-top of the Scottish Women's Premier League standings, matching Glasgow City's perfect record and setting a compelling title race narrative for the months ahead. For Montrose LFC Women, the fixture was always going to be a tough ask, and they will take encouragement from their disciplined defensive shape despite ending up on the wrong side of the scoreline. As the early season table begins to take shape, Celtic's return of nine points and nine goals scored marks them out as the team to beat alongside their great rivals in Glasgow.