Some could argue the shift of power in Glasgow was hinted at in the closing month of last season, when Celtic inflicted Glasgow City’s first league defeat in three-and-a-half years – a resounding 4-1 victory.
In reality, it came days after a gruelling Champions League penalty shootout win over Brondby, and also after the title had already been wrapped up. Otherwise, City went undefeated the entire season, and they claimed back the Scottish Cup from Hibernian.
The issue City face is trying to keep their top talent. However, head coach Scott Booth is “very confident” of retaining his key players, which has in the past proved difficult.
“We’re a feeder nation in the men’s game and that’s always been the case for City too,” Booth said. “Every year I’ve been here we’ve lost one of our best players. The first club others will look to take players from is Glasgow City.
“We have to make sure we continue to do what we have been doing, to continue to be successful. We are a unique club – I think that can get lost sometimes. We’re a club that champions girls and women only – we don’t have a big brother and have never had that.”
Without the backing of a men’s club, Glasgow City have not only batted away opposition in Scotland, but also punched above their weight in continental competition.
Their win over Brondby in the Champions League has set up a last-eight tie against two-time winners and two-time runners-up Wolfsburg in the spring, as they aim to prolong what has so far been a superb European showing.
City are still very much the club to beat, but it won’t take long to gauge how much closer their rivals have got – Celtic host the champions in the opening fixture of the season on Friday in a live BBC Alba game.