Talk about a plot twist! Celtic's Grant Scott found himself in a footballing whirlwind, and it all started with a move that felt straight out of a movie. His return to Hibs was nothing short of bizarre, a rollercoaster of emotions, and a game he was just glad to survive.
Scott's debut as Celtic's head coach should have been a moment of pure joy, but the preceding three weeks made it anything but ordinary. It began on December 21st when Scott, then Hibs boss, hosted Celtic, fully aware he was likely to become their manager soon. The very next day, the move was official, following Elena Sadiku's departure to BK Hacken after Celtic's 2-1 victory in Edinburgh against the SWPL champions.
The following day, Scott's former captain and assistant, Joelle Murray, took over at Hibs before the winter break. The stage was set for their first match in their new roles: Hibs versus Celtic in the fourth round of the women's Scottish Cup.
"I think the scriptwriters have done me over there a little bit," Scott admitted.
It was impossible for Scott to hide the impact of the last few weeks. Celtic secured a thrilling 3-2 victory in Edinburgh. They quickly took a two-goal lead, thanks to Scotland international Emma Lawton and Morgan Cross. But Hibs fought back, scoring twice early in the second half through Tiree Burchill, a player signed by Scott, and Eilidh Adams, leveling the score within five minutes. Maria McAneny restored Celtic's lead, but late Hibs pressure made it a challenging debut for an already emotional Scott.
"I'm glad this one's out of the way," Scott told BBC Scotland. "It's been a strange time, a bit of a rollercoaster." He confessed to the emotional weight of his departure from Hibs and the challenge of keeping his players focused on the game.
And there was plenty going on. For Murray, it was another monumental moment in her magnificent career with Hibs. The club's record-appearance maker, who won two leagues, seven Scottish Cups, and five League Cups during her illustrious 21-year playing career, added another winner's medal as assistant to Scott last season.
Seeing each other on opposite sides of the touchline was "weird" for both. "We spoke just before kick-off and said how weird it was," Murray explained after her "proud but disappointing" first game in charge.
"I'm a massive Joelle fan," Scott added. "I think she's got a brilliant future ahead...we'll still be pals after these games, because I have a lot of respect for Jo, she was a brilliant introduction to the coaching staff."
But here's where it gets controversial... Did the quick succession of events, the change of allegiances, and the head-to-head match create an unfair advantage for either side? Or was it simply a unique and unpredictable chapter in football?
And this is the part most people miss... The underlying respect and friendship between Scott and Murray, despite the professional rivalry, highlights the human element of the sport.
What are your thoughts? Do you think the scriptwriters did Scott over? Share your opinion in the comments below!
