Hibernian Women came from behind to secure a share of the points against Celtic yesterday.
Natalie Ross put the hosts ahead with an early close-range header.
Hibs struggled to create any clear-cut chances in the remainder of the first half. However, Grant Scott’s side came out in the second half as a different team, creating many chances and eventually equalising through a trademark finish from Kathleen McGovern in the 72nd minute.
Hibs then had chances to win the game in the final fifteen minutes, but a strong performance from Celtic goalkeeper Lisa Rodgers kept the score level at New Douglas Park.
Stacey Papadopoulous admitted the first half against Celtic was “frustrating” but said she and her teammates came out “stronger” following the restart.
“The first half was a bit frustrating. I think we gave them a bit too much space in certain areas of the park, which was making our job a bit harder,” Papadopoulous told HibsTV.
“We went in at half-time and fixed it. We came out with more intensity, and we were a bit more on the front foot in the second half, which we needed to be.
“We knew that they were just winning too many of the second and third balls, so we needed to come out a bit stronger, a bit harder, and we certainly did that.
“Grant (Scott) just said to calm it down. He knows we’re down by one goal, but we’re playing well.
“He just said, ‘Calm down, have a breather and keep playing the way we’re playing.’ We knew winning the first and second balls in the midfield and all over the park was going to be super important as well.”
Hibernian Women now have a week-long break before their next match – the first time the players have had a week between games since the beginning of the month due to European action – and Papadopoulous has said she and her teammates have “missed having a proper week of training” and they are “looking forward” to the upcoming week.
“It’ll be good to get a proper week of training and stuff like that under our belt. I think we all kind of miss that. I think we’re all looking forward to it.
“We’ll have a few days off to rest and rejuvenate a bit, but we’re excited.”
The Women return to action on Sunday 28 September, when they make the journey to New Douglas Park for the second time in one week as they face newly-promoted Hamilton in a 2pm kickoff.
Stacey Papadopoulous is not taking her upcoming opponents “lightly”, as Hibs look to return to winning ways.
“Obviously tonight was a good opportunity to get three points, but, you know, there’s always next week.
“Hamilton have come out, and they’ve actually had some good displays against some tough opponents. So, you know, they’re not going to be an easy team. We definitely know that no team in this league is.
“We’re not going to take them lightly. We’re looking forward to it. Hopefully we can get a couple of goals and get a win and just keep the ball rolling.”
