Magnificent Hibs thrash Celtic 9-0 to retain SWPL League Cup

Magnificent Hibernian retained the Scottish Women’s Premier League Cup for the third successive year after thrashing Celtic 9-0 at the Falkirk Stadium this afternoon.

Hibs started the game as favourites but no-one anticipated how easily they would win as Grant Scott’s team dominated from the first to last minute.

Lizzie Arnot grabbed the headlines with an incredible five goals but every single Hibernian player performed admirably.

In the seventh minute Emma Brownlie’s corner found Ellis Notley who volleyed in the opening goal then Lizzie Arnot doubled Hibs advantage from the penalty spot.

An own goal from Celtic’s captain Kelly Clark made it 3-0 then Arnot grabbed her second from close range to virtually secure the trophy within the first 30 minutes.

Shortly after the break Shannon McGregor fired a sensational volley into the top corner of the net  before Arnot secured her hat-trick when she cut in from the right and fired a long range effort past Celtic goalkeeper Kiera Gibson.

Kirsten Reilly headed in an Arnot corner to make it 7-0 then a minute later Arnot broke clear and lobbed Gibson for the eighth.

Arnot then knocked in another from close range to grab her fifth and Hibs’ ninth.

After the game Hibernian head coach Grant Scott told BBC Scotland: “It doesn’t get any better than that really. In fairness a lot of stuff came off for us today. Maybe they’ve had an off day. We just never gave them a chance.

“That’s the kind of team we’re capable of being.”

Hibernian: Reid, Harrison, Gallacher, Cornet, Notley, Brownlie, Smith, Robertson, Arnot, McLauchlan, McGregor

Substitutes: Fife, Michie, Williamson, Napier, Reilly, Tweedie, Hunter

Celtic: Gibson, Keenan, McCulloch, Rafferty, Cavanagh, Donaldson, Ross, Clark, Ewens, Giard, Pullar

Substitutes: Cunningham, O’Neil, Adams, Connor, Craig, Littlejohn.