THIS afternoon’s League Cup game between Aberdeen and Hearts at the new £12m Cormack Park facility will be a big test for both clubs. Their scheduled Group C ties last Sunday were among the casualties of Storm Ciara.

Hearts were promoted from SBS SWPL2 last season, while Aberdeen hope to achieve the same outcome at the end of this one. That would allow them to bounce back to the top flight in two seasons – a reversal of their abrupt descent into the third tier.

Manager Emma Hunter, who has been instrumental in the revival, said: “We’re not hiding the fact we think we should be getting out of the group stages. Once we saw the draw we quite fancied ourselves going through.

“We should be also fighting for promotion, if not winning the league as well, this season. Hearts will be a massive test for us and it’s exactly the type of game we want to play.”

The sides met in a friendly a fortnight ago and Hunter was heartened by her side’s 2-1 win, albeit aware both sides were experimenting. The game was arranged before the League Cup draw matched them in Group C with Stirling University and Boroughmuir Thistle.

Aberdeen have strengthened over the winter, with a notable recruit being central defender Amy Strath who has played semi-professional football in the United States and Iceland.

“I’m really pleased that Amy has decided to come home to Aberdeen,” Hunter said. “She had the choice of a few other clubs but she saw what was available here.

“She has been a massive addition in terms of strength at the back and not conceding goals. Her ability to distribute from the back is also pleasing. She’s tall, athletic and you can see she’s been a professional player.”

Hunter and Harley Hamdani were co-managers of Aberdeen in 2019, jointly winning the SWFL coach of the year award. The latter has since emigrated to Melbourne with his partner, who is a teacher.

“Me and Harley worked really well together and obviously he’ll be a huge loss,” Hunter said. “But what’s good about having the co-manager system is that even although he’s left it’s carry on as normal.”

THE expression on Celtic captain Kelly Clark’s face said it all about her side’s performance against Glasgow Women at the K Park last Sunday.

What should have been a morale boosting first competitive outing under new head coach Fran Alonso resulted in a 0-0 draw against gritty young SWPL2 opposition.

“Not good enough from us,” the 25-year-old said. “The wind was difficult, but if we keep the ball on the ground and play short, sharp football the wind shouldn’t really affect it.”

Clark has retained the armband despite opting not to become a full-time player. The former Scotland Under-19 central defender will continue her day job with accountancy firm Deloitte.

“I’ve worked hard away from football, through university and all the professional exams I’ve sat, to get where I am,” she said. “For now I’m delighted I can still play for Celtic and also progress my career.

“I’ve passed all the exams and I’m time qualified. I’ve just not submitted my final log book to graduate as a chartered accountant – but everything else is in place once I do.”

Clark is anticipating a very competitive league season, with Celtic kicking it off at home to Glasgow City on Friday night.

“Hibs have suffered losing players before, but are still the same hard team to beat,” she said. “City are City – they’ve won the league for 13 years. Rangers have absolutely gone all out and we’ve gone professional as well.

“The teams beneath last season’s top four have benefited from ourselves and Rangers going full time. A lot of players have left to joined other clubs.

“Hopefully the whole league is going to be more competitive.”

SCOTT Booth is delighted at the recruitment of former Hibernian head coach Grant Scott as his assistant at Glasgow City.

“We haven’t had a big coaching staff since I’ve been at the club,” Booth said. “Grant obviously wasn’t working for Hibs any more and I thought it was the right thing for us to bring in someone of his experience.

“We’ve always had that rivalry with Hibs, but I’ve always got on with Grant, respected him, and been able to chat about things. To start with we’ll just try to bed him in and it will evolve from there. He will do a significant part of the coaching.”