Competition: Park’s Motor Group SWPL1
Match: AFC Women v Celtic Women
Venue: Balmoral Stadium
Kick Off: 16:00
Ticket News: Click here for ticket information.
TV Coverage:  Match highlights will be available on RedTV from 19:30 on Monday. The game will also be broadcast live on the BBC Sport Scotland website and BBC iPlayer.
Social Media: Follow @AberdeenWomen on Twitter for in game updates and match reaction.

So Far This Season: This will be the third league meeting between the sides this season. The first meeting came on the opening day of the league campaign at the Balmoral Stadium when a crowd of just under 500 witnessed The Dons first game in the SWPL1. In a close game it was Celtic who ran out 4-2 winners. The second meeting came in November where The Dons took the lead six minutes before half time through Bayley Hutchison. Aberdeen led for much of the second half but three late goals gave the home side victory.

Co-manager Gavin Beith previewed Sunday’s match with Celtic:

“We kicked off the season at the Balmoral Stadium against Celtic and if that game is anything to go by then we should be in for an entertaining afternoon. This will also be a dress rehearsal for our Scottish Cup quarter-final against Fran Alonso’s team which takes place at the start of next month.

“Both games between the two teams have been very entertaining this term. On the opening day of the season Celtic ran out 4-2 winners at the Balmoral in front of the television cameras. It was a good introduction to the league for the players up against one of the best sides in the division. Although it’s always disappointing to lose, the players gave a good account of themselves in what for many was their first game at this level.

“In the reverse fixture down in Glasgow the team put in a brilliant performance and came within about ten minutes of winning the game. We were in front through a Bayley Hutchison goal and defended really well before losing late goals which meant we left empty handed.

“The team’s great recent run of victories has shown that the players have settled to life in SWPL1 and their confidence is much higher going into today’s game than it was the last time we played Celtic. Since then, Celtic have won the League Cup and are still in contention in terms of winning the league. They are a top side with international players so they will pose a really tough challenge.

“We’ve got ourselves into a good position in the league table thanks to our good recent run of results, including a win against Hibernian who sit just below Celtic in the table. There is always a gap to bridge when we come up against a professional team but the players have already shown this season that they are able to compete in this type of games.

“We will take strength from the Aberdeen support who turned out in great numbers for the season opener the last time Celtic visited. The players really appreciate the support and I know that it helps them to have the fans behind them in the stands.”

Midfielder Bailley Collins also looked ahead to Sunday’s match at the Balmoral Stadium. She spoke about adjusting to life in the Park’s Motor Group SWPL1 and her recent call up to the Scotland U19 squad:

“It’s a big step up, the intensity is a lot higher and the standard is really good. We’re playing week-in week-out against professional and semi-professional players. It has taken some getting used to but it has also been really enjoyable. I think the squad as a whole has adjusted to the league and everything about it from the intensity in training to the games, has lifted. It was maybe a bit of a shock initially but as time has gone by, I think we have been learning as we go and it has really improved us.

“My mum and I watch the games back every Monday night. We always look at the highlights of our match but also the other teams so I can learn about the other players in the league. I think it’s good to have that self-analysis when you watch yourself but it’s also good for friends and family getting so me play on tv. My younger brother is always busy playing football too so my dad goes to his games, whilst my mum comes to watch me. The tv coverage means that he can catch up on my games that he missed so it’s great for our family.

“It was an absolute honour to be called up (to the Scotland u19 squad.) When Emma called me to let me know I had been called up I was lost for words. I told my mum and she was lost for words too so it was a pretty emotional time. To know that you’ve been selected to play at a national level is an honour to go and represent your country. It’s good for picking things up and learning from players you don’t normally play with. Working with different players and coaches gives you a different perspective and I try to pick up things I can apply to my game. The atmosphere in the camp is great and it really makes you want to push yourself when you come back to the club to try and get called up again”.