SAINTS Women kicked off their tough pre-season campaign with a 1-1 draw versus Scottish giants Celtic, with new signing Paige Peake scoring from the spot.

Celtic won a cup double in Scotland last season, finishing third in the SWPL behind only Rangers and Glasgow City.

Marieanne Spacey-Cale has taken her charges north of the border to begin their preparations for a debut Championship season, including four new signings.

Megan Wynne, Beth Lumsden and Peake all started from the off, as well as a trialist, in a match with rolling substitutes and three 30 minute thirds.

Celtic’s Chloe Craig scored from the penalty spot within three minutes of the clash beginning, with the lead intact after the first third.

Wynne forced the Celtic stopper into a duo of saves after link-up with Ella Pusey but Saints were still chasing the game going into the final 30.

Debutant Peake netted from the spot to equalise after Ella Morris was downed in the area early into the final period, to take a strong result from the start of their pre-season.

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