Celtic Women took a hit in the title race on Wednesday night, well beaten by Hearts in a result that leaves little room for slip-ups heading into the final stretch.

Grant Scott’s side suffered a 4-1 defeat, with Saoirse Noonan’s strike proving to be a consolation goal in what was a difficult night.

It is the kind of result that had been creeping into their form in recent weeks.

Celtic now sit fourth in the table, still only four points behind leaders Glasgow City, but that gap tells only part of the story. The Hoops have dropped points in four of their last five matches, a run that has stalled any real momentum at the worst time of the season.

Two defeats and two draws in that spell have left them chasing rather than setting the pace.

Hearts, meanwhile, took full advantage. The Edinburgh side not only secured an emphatic win but underlined their own title credentials in the process, adding another layer of pressure to an already tight race.

Scott highlighted an overriding feeling of disappointment in his post-match interview, saying his side are losing too many simple goals in a period of the season where every passage of play matters.

 

For Celtic, the focus now turns quickly to Monday night.

Rangers are next, sitting third and two points ahead, which makes the upcoming fixture more than just another league game. It is a chance to reset things or risk slipping further off the pace.

There is a familiar feel to the situation.

Like the men’s side, the margin for error is shrinking with every passing game. There is no space left for another off night, especially against direct rivals.

Scott arrived in Glasgow off the back of a title-winning campaign with Hibernian, tasked with building on Celtic’s own recent success.

He remains in the hunt to deliver back-to-back titles across two clubs, but this is the point in the season where that ambition either sharpens or fades.

Wednesday night did not settle anything, but it made the next step clear.

Celtic need a response, and they need it immediately.