Celtic Reach Scottish Cup Final After City Win – Glasgow 2026

Key Points

• Celtic secured a place in their first Women’s Scottish Cup final in three years after a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory against Glasgow City.
• Saoirse Noonan opened the scoring for Celtic with a first-half header.
• Linda Motlhalo equalised for Glasgow City with a powerful strike in the 83rd minute, forcing the match into extra time.
• Amy Gallacher regained the lead for Celtic just two minutes into the extra period.
• Shannon McGregor extended Celtic’s lead deep into the first half of extra-time.
• Emily Grey pulled a goal back for City in the final minute of extra time, but Celtic held on for the win.
• Celtic will face either Rangers or Montrose in the final at Hampden Park on Sunday, 31 May.

Celtic FC (Glasgow Express) May 2, 2026 – Celtic have booked their place in the Women’s Scottish Cup final after overcoming Glasgow City in a hard-fought semi-final encounter at Hampden Park. The Hoops triumphed 3-2 after extra time, ending a winless run against their city rivals that stretched back to August 2024.

How did Celtic manage to break the deadlock in regular time?

The match began with high intensity, as both sides looked to command the midfield at the national stadium. As reported by Paul Cuddihy for Celtic FC, the breakthrough came when Amy Gallacher delivered a precise corner that found Saoirse Noonan, who headed the ball home to give Grant Scott’s side the lead.

For much of the contest, that goal appeared sufficient to see Celtic through to the final. However, Glasgow City continued to press for an equaliser, displaying the determination expected of a side chasing a domestic treble after their earlier SWPL Cup success.

What turned the tide for Glasgow City late in the second half?

With regulation time ticking down, the pressure from Leanne Ross’s side intensified. As detailed by BBC Sport, a moment of clinical quality arrived in the 83rd minute when Linda Motlhalo unleashed a powerful strike that beat the Celtic goalkeeper to level the scores at 1-1. This late intervention forced the referee to signal for an additional 30 minutes of extra time, shifting the momentum back toward the Glasgow City camp.

How did Celtic regain control during the extra period?

Despite the psychological blow of conceding a late equaliser, Celtic responded immediately upon the restart of extra time. As documented by BBC Sport, Amy Gallacher—who had provided the assist for the opening goal—netted a pinpoint strike just two minutes into the extra period to restore Celtic’s advantage.

The momentum remained with the Hoops, and they capitalized further deep into the first half of additional time. Scotland international Shannon McGregor, making her first appearance at Hampden Park, reacted quickest at the back post to control a loose ball before blasting a finish into the roof of the net, extending Celtic’s lead to 3-1.

Was there a late comeback attempt from Glasgow City?

Although Celtic appeared to have secured the result, the closing stages of extra time provided a tense finish. As reported by BBC Sport, Glasgow City managed to reduce the deficit in the final minute when substitute Emily Grey stroked the ball home following a chaotic “stramash” inside the Celtic penalty area. Despite a frantic final few seconds of pressure from City, Grant Scott’s team maintained their defensive composure to seal the victory and confirm their return to the national stadium.

What lies ahead for both teams in the coming weeks?

With the semi-final victory confirmed, Celtic now look forward to the final, which is scheduled to take place at Hampden Park on Sunday, 31 May.

Their opponents will be determined by the second semi-final match between Rangers and Montrose, which is set to take place on Sunday. For Glasgow City, the focus now shifts entirely back to the league campaign.

As noted by BBC Sport, manager Leanne Ross will be tasked with rallying her squad to overturn a four-point deficit in the Scottish Women’s Premier League behind current leaders, Hearts.

Background of the Scottish Cup development

The Women’s Scottish Cup has grown significantly in stature and competitiveness over the last three years. Celtic’s success in this fixture marks a notable return to the final for the club, having previously won the competition in back-to-back seasons in 2022 and 2023. Glasgow City has historically been a dominant force in Scottish women’s football, often challenging for a domestic treble and setting the benchmark for consistency.

The rivalry between these two clubs has intensified recently, particularly with the growth of the SWPL and increased media coverage, making semi-final meetings at venues like Hampden Park a significant marker for the development of the professional game in Scotland.

Prediction for the tournament and local audience

This development signifies a potential shift in the balance of power within top-tier Scottish women’s football, as Celtic’s ability to defeat a traditionally formidable opponent like Glasgow City highlights their rising technical proficiency and tactical depth.

For the loyal Celtic and Glasgow City fanbases, as well as the wider Scottish football audience, this victory suggests that the final on 31 May will likely attract significant interest and potentially record attendance numbers for the women’s game. Should Celtic maintain this momentum, they have a strong opportunity to reclaim the trophy they last held in 2023, while their victory here will undoubtedly pressure other title contenders to refine their strategies ahead of the final stretch of the season.