Following Aberdeen Women’s 4-1 defeat midweek against Rangers in Glasgow which saw goalkeeper Annalissa McCann drop out just minutes before kick-off through injury without a recognised back-up on the bench, Academy Director Gavin Levey previewed Sunday’s trip back to Glasgow to face Celtic, while also taking time to take the positives from Wednesdays match.

The game this weekend is live on BBC Alba with kick-off at 2.30pm.

“The injury threw another curveball at us. It was hard enough getting a squad together to get down to Glasgow with the way the fixtures have been, but we managed, and we felt like we achieved something by doing that.

“Our job was to come out fighting. We’ve been trying to get a keeper in, and it has been very difficult, so we have been taking that risk of not having a goalkeeper on the bench, we have no choice. When Annalissa pulled up it meant trying to readjust focus, figure out what we were going to do, settle the girls down and reinforce our plan, which was to try and deny Rangers shooting opportunities. I thought we did relatively well. Looking back at the goals we conceded, it makes a big difference.

“It’s actually been a bit of a running joke amongst the girls that Chloe is the stand in keeper. The minute Annalissa went down injured Chloe got ready. Her attitude is brilliant, she has the mindset that she will do anything to help the team. She kicked well, naturally she has good distribution but ultimately, it’s an impossible task no matter how willing they are. We were fortunate that it was relatively quiet behind the goal, so we were able to get our goalkeeper coach up there to give her some tips throughout. To lose your goalkeeper in any game is a challenge but to lose them before playing one of the best teams in the league that is full of internationals, it’s a massive task.”

The Dons showed great strength to come out for the second half and put in a strong performance in the face of adversity, becoming the first team in the league to score a goal from open play against Rangers after Eildh Shore pulled one back.

“Out with in Europe and a penalty league leaders Glasgow City scored, nobody else has scored against Rangers. Normally before games we will look at areas where other teams have scored, so that’s another challenge, we must look at moments where teams have maybe created the odd chance. At half time it was a case of just wanting to go out there and better the first half performance and ask what we could take from the game that nobody else is able to do, so that’s why we were so happy at the end, the second half finished 1-1. Rangers have some great players, they are strong and play some nice stuff, but we play to our strengths. We had an average age of 19 on Wednesday night, the youthfulness mixed with the experience we have gives us the freedom to go out and compete.

“We are looking forward to Sunday. We are in the right mindset, everyone took a lot of believe from the game on Wednesday, but it took a lot out of us physically. We’ve had to adjust our whole programme to allow our players to play five games in 15 games, it’s a huge ask. Its five games, with none at our home ground and three in Glasgow, so it’s a big task. Everyone is in it together; we said this period was going to be an adventure and so far, it’s certainly proved to be that.

“We will access the squad on Saturday and see where we are. With Annalissa, it’s certainly not as bad as we first felt, we managed to get her back in the day after the game. Beth Walker our physio is brilliant, her level of detail and her passion to get the players back on the pitch and feeling good about themselves is huge.”

If she plays on Sunday, captain Loren Campbell will make her 100^th appearance for Aberdeen Women, an achievement to be proud of for the Aberdeen native.

“Loren is a great character and was obviously part of Aberdeen Ladies before we took over and made it Aberdeen Women. She is a feisty player. I think her game at the minute is some of the best of her career, she’s really added that attacking threat. She’s playing so well right now, so she goes into her 100^th game at the weekend on good form and she deserves everything she gets. You can see the reason why she’s the captain right now.

“The workload to prepare for each of these games is massive, but as I keep saying we won’t be the victim, we will come out fighting all the way through this period.”

Game: Celtic Women V Aberdeen FC Women
TV Coverage: BBC Alba
Competition: SWPL1
Date: Sunday 5th February
Venue: Excelsior Stadium
Kick Off: 1430