Celtic FC Women have their first away day of the season tomorrow as they take on Aberdeen at the Balmoral Stadium…
The hosts picked up their first win of the season in their last game after a shocking start that sees their goal difference now sitting at -16 with just three games played. They are currently managerless following the departure of Colin Bell, being led by interim head coach Stuart Glennie in the meantime.
Celtic continued their winning start to the season on Wednesday with a 5-1 win over Motherwell at the Excelsior. Elena Sadiku was much happier with the Ghirls’ performance against the Women of Steel after admitting that she was disappointed with how her side played against Glasgow City.
“I think the bad thing with me as a coach sometimes is that I never really get satisfied,” she said. “I always want more.”
She went on: “But it’s also, the things that we train on and things that we want to achieve as a team, I think we did it pretty well against Motherwell.”
And the manager previewed the game with the media ahead of Sunday: “I believe in my players, I believe in what we have and what’s ahead. So 100% confident [that Celtic will get the win], yes.”
You can read everything Elena Sadiku said to The Celtic Star below.
Team News
Luana Muñoz is sidelined with a minor hip injury, confirmed by Elena. Chloe Logan is seemingly still out for the time being. Amy Richardson and Kit Loferski have both returned to training this week, however, Elena admitted that has given her a problem.
“We have a situation in the squad now where if they come back, two players need to go out,” the manager explained. “So it’s a competition of who deserves the squad spot most.”
The same logic will now apply to Luana when she makes her return, leaving the title-winning head coach with another headache.
Match Officials
Duncan Nicolson is the referee for this tie. Graeme Jack and James Coull assist him.
Kick-off Time
Aberdeen vs Celtic FC Women kicks off at 1pm at the Balmoral Stadium, Aberdeen.
Where to Watch
This game will be broadcast live on BBC Sport Scotland.
Score Prediction
With Aberdeen’s horrific start to the season, I think we could get another big result against them. I’m saying Aberdeen 0 Celtic 12. Our editor is going for a 5-0 win for the Ghirls.
A big victory could help us out in terms of goal difference, as we know how important that can be in the SWPL. theRangers are running away with it right now so we need some more goals so this doesn’t become an issue later in the season.
ELENA SADIKU SPEAKS TO THE CELTIC STAR…
The Celtic Star: You mentioned on Sunday that you weren’t overly pleased with the team’s performance. Do you feel that they made amends on Wednesday?
Elena Sadiku: Yeah. “I think the bad thing with me as a coach sometimes is that I never really get satisfied, I always want more. But it’s also, the things that we train on and things that we want to achieve as a team, I think we did it pretty well against Motherwell. Obviously I’m not happy with the conceded goal but we played a really good attacking football, we created a lot, we should’ve probably scored more goals but you know, we’re in the start of the season, we have more to grow as a team. But we do it well, and hopefully we’ll just keep growing.”
The Celtic Star: Kelly Clark was on the bench for that game – was there any specific reason?
Elena Sadiku: “Everything is all about me playing the team that I think is the best for that game. And on that occasion, I did some changes, yes.”
The Celtic Star: One of the players who has come in recently and started the last two games is Chloe Craig. How pleased have you been with her performances recently?
Elena Sadiku: “She’s been doing really well. Obviously not playing at Celtic Park on the first game, she came into the next training and was brilliant. And that’s something that I need to react on. I need to look at the performance, I need to look at the mindset, I need to look at the braveness, I need to look at so many different factors that makes my decision into the starting 11 and the squad. It’s not making my job easier to create the team and the squad but this is why I recruited how I recruited this summer. I need to deal with it!”
The Celtic Star: You spoke to us before the Glasgow City game about converting Jenny Smith to a wing-back role but I noticed that against City, she was playing a higher role. Is that something that you like having in a player? Someone who can play all over the pitch?
Elena Sadiku: “Yeah. I don’t think I see her as a 9 really, I see her as the wing-back, but for that game, I wanted pace and that’s something that Jenny is really good at. I don’t regret it at all because she came in and did it really good with what I wanted to do. She executed exactly what I wanted. But I will say that Jenny is a wing-back for me. But that’s something that when we don’t have Kit [Loferski], for example. And Kit has that x-factor in that game I needed, then I need to look over and see what I have and Jenny was that option. She did really well.”
The Celtic Star: Luana Muñoz has missed out on the last two games. Why is that?
Elena Sadiku: “Luana has had some issues with her hip flexor, but it’s nothing major, it’s just something small. But then, it comes back to the squad list now. The squad is strong and I need to choose with what I think is right and that’s something that I’m going to have more problems with in the future.”
The Celtic Star: There’s been a lot of change in each game but do you think that right now you know what your strongest 11 is?
Elena Sadiku: “Both yes and no. I also think it depends on what opposition we’re going to play against. I have some players that their x-factor is in attacking, some other players are more stronger in defending, all the players are different in their ways but I don’t know exactly what my best starting 11 is and that’s something I’m trying to figure out.”
The Celtic Star: Are you and the squad confident that you can continue your winning start to the season against Aberdeen on Sunday?
Elena Sadiku: “100%. Confident. I believe in my players, I believe in what we have and what’s ahead. So 100% confident, yes.”
