Aberdeen Women 0 Celtic 6 SWPL 1 Balmoral Stadium 18 October 2026
Aberdeen Women lost 6-0 at the hands of a strong Celtic team on Sunday afternoon at Balmoral Stadium.
The Dons fell behind after eight minutes and never recovered, the impressive visitors adding three goals during a quick spell of pressure at the start of the second half to put the result well beyond doubt.
Nathan Flight made two changes to the team that lost at Motherwell before the break. In came Emily Simpson and Melissa Regmi, Briana Salvetti and Piper Mayhew dropping out.
A full complement on the bench included the returning Mya Christie, and Mia Selbie, her first involvement in the squad since injury.
Celtic boss Grant Scott handed former Don Abi Tobin her first start since her summer arrival on her return to Balmoral Stadium.
It didn’t take long for the visitors to find the opener, Craig sweeping home from inside the area, Aberdeen unable to properly clear their lines from a Celtic corner.
One way traffic and 2-0 on 17’, McAneny heading home from close range, the forward on the end of Doran-Barr’s cross.
O’Hanlon produced an excellent stop from McGregor just before the half hour to deny a third. The game was being played mainly in the Aberdeen half since the second, but chances were at a premium.
McAneny rattled the crossbar from range on 37’, The Dons eventually able to turn behind for a corner. A quick Dons break led by Nesbeth not long after earned Regmi a shooting opportunity, her attempt held by Rodgers.
Another long-distance effort from the crossbar, this time McGregor who emulated James Rodriguez in the 2014 World Cup with a fantastic spin and volley, the Aberdonian finding the woodwork instead of the back of the net.
Half-time: Aberdeen 0-2 Celtic.
Selbie replaced Soraya Walsh at the break, with Walsh on in place of Doran-Barr for Celtic.
An early third, Tobin’s corner caused havoc in the Dons penalty box after O’Hanlon fumbled. A stramash followed, with nobody sure if the ball had crossed the line and no appeals from those in green and white – goal given regardless. McAneny added a fourth just two minutes later. A nightmare start to the 45.
Rabjohn got in on the act on 56’, heading home Robertson’s cross. Flight reacted by making a triple swap: Salvetti, Piper Lea and Mayhew on, Regmi, Aimee Black and Simpson off.
Christie was introduced just after the hour, replacing Daniel to make her return to action.
An Aberdeen corner set up a chance for Maddie Finnie at the back post, the captain firing wide from close range. After a lull of goals, substitute cross added her sides sixth of the afternoon on 78’.
Full-time Aberdeen 0-6 Celtic.
Reaction from Nathan Flight
"I thought it was a really poor performance. We started the game okay and moved the ball fine. But once we conceded the first goal, we really didn’t do the work that we’d planned to do.
"We didn’t work in the ways that I think the team should work, in the sense that we need to run more, compete more and work harder in duels. Particularly in the first half, we were second to everything all over the pitch. "The second half had a terrible beginning as well. At 5-0 after an hour played, it’s tough at that point. We didn’t do ourselves any justice today, so it was a really, really disappointing performance, unfortunately. "It wasn’t a goal (Celtic third), and I think that makes it disappointing. We understand that referees and officials have difficult jobs, but I think you have to be 100% sure if the ball has crossed the line. "It’s a pivotal moment in the game because it’s the beginning of the second half and it’s 2-0 at that point. If we get the next goal, it can potentially become an exciting ending to the game, but the 3-0 goal does puncture the game a bit at that point.
"That wasn’t the reason we lost the game today. We’ve got to look at ourselves first, and there were a lot of other things that we need to do better before we start looking at that.
"I think as soon as we can, we’ve just got to put this down to a day where Celtic were good and we weren’t very good in our performance. When that happens, you get a result like you did today.
"But we’ve got big games coming up now. We understand the importance of the next two games, beginning on Wednesday. So we’ll go away, recover as best as we can, prepare as best as we can, and be ready to go for Wednesday evening."
STATS
Aberdeen: 1. Katie O Hanlon, 4. Lola Nesbeth, 5. Aimee Black (Lea 56’), 6. Erin Carrol, 10. Soraya Walsh (Selbie 46’), 11. Holly Daniel (Christie 64’), 15. Madison Finnie (C), 17. Melissa Regmi (Salvetti 56’), 22. Iona Watt, 24. Emily Simpson (Mayhew 56’), 43. Selin Cemal
Subs: 35. Emillie Sim, 2. Briana Salvetti, 7. Mia Selbie, 8. Piper Lea, 14. Mya Christie, 26. Emily Skinner, 28. Olivia Reid, 32. Piper Mayhew
BOOKED: Salvetti 81’ Celtic: 19. Lisa Rodgers, 4. Lisa Robertson, 6. Chloe Craig (C), 8. Hannah Jordan, 10. Evie Rabjohn, 11. Casey Howe, 14. Shannon McGregor, 16. Abigail Tobin, 22. Lauren Doran-Barr, 44. Poppy Jayne Lawson, 73. Maria Mcaneny Subs: 33. Adelaide Gay, 2. Claire Walsh, 15. Kelly Clark, 17. Morgan Cross, 18. Hannah Luke, 20. Fionnuala Morgan, 25. Momo Nakao, 41. Clare Goldie
BOOKED: McAneny 86’
GOALS: Craig 8’ McAneny 17’ 52’ O’Hanlon (OG) 49’ Rabjohn 56’ Cross 78’
