Elena Sadiku watches Celtic triumph from the stands to leapfrog one rival in SWPL

Elena Sadiku had to watch from the stands as Celtic came from behind after a Saoirse Noonan hat-trick helped them overcome Montrose 5-1 - and move up a spot in the SWPL.

Louise Brown opened the scoring for Montrose at New Douglas Park but their lead last just eight minutes. Amy Gallacher levelled to restore parity before Celtic ramped it up in the second period. Noonan netted her hat-trick while there was a Demi Taylor own-goal too. Montrose held out until half-time but a second half hat-trick from Saoirse Noonan and a Demi Taylor own goal earned Celtic all the points.

Sadiku’s side are now in fourth place, a point behind Hearts, after leapfrogging Hibs in the SWPL table. “It was a poor first-half,” said the Swede, who was banned from the touchline after last week’s red card. "We weren’t sharp, there were a lot of mistakes but we came out in the second-half and showed the quality we have in the team. It is important to respond to the things we are not happy with and I am happy with how David (Healy) and the staff sorted things out. The second-half shows the creativity we have and the decision making was much better.”

Pace-setters Glasgow City meanwhile go into the international break top of the after a comprehensive 6-0 win over Spartans with six different scorers making their mark. Katie Lockwood got City off an running after just eight minutes with further goals quickly following.

There were goals from Natalie Wrobel, Nicole Kozlova, Lisa Forrest, Aleigh Gambone, and Brenna Lovera. Forrest also missed a penalty. Leanne Ross, though, was delighted with the win. She said: “We have been speaking all week about having that patience when we have the ball and I think we just controlled it. The squad is getting strong with