O'Riordan helps Celtic to cup final win over Rangers

Celtic 2-0 Rangers

Republic of Ireland international Claire O'Riordan said the use of Hampden Park for Celtic's Scottish Cup final win over Rangers is another step in the right direction for the women's game after she helped the Hoops to a sweet victory on Sunday.

The first time the two sides had met in the final of the competition was also the first time the showpiece finale was hosted at the national stadium where second-half goals from Natasha Flint and O'Riordan saw Celtic retain the trophy with a 2-0 win.

After the game, watched by a crowd of 10,446, O'Riordan said: "Obviously, that shows a stepping stone in the right direction in the women's game to be able to put it on such a stage, the progression that the SFA have been able to put into the women's game and the support and exposure that has come with that.

"It was a tough task but the most important thing was we stuck together and grinded out the result."

"It can only mean that the game can utilise that and continue to grow and again, it is really important for women's football here in Scotland and around the world."

Celtic missed out on the league title last week after Glasgow City's dramatic last-gasp winner against Rangers at Ibrox rendered the Hoops' 2-0 win over Hearts at Celtic Park irrelevant.

O'Riordan added: "Obviously, it was difficult finishing off the season the way we did last week but in some ways, we took the positives, another record crowd at Celtic Park (15,822) and another three points to finish off the league season.

"And we just got back into work as we do every day, every week and we reaped the rewards today.

"It was a tough task but the most important thing was we stuck together and grinded out the result."

Hoops boss Fran Alonso admitted the