After eleven years with Celtic Kathleen McGovern made the decision to leave Celtic and announced her exit via social media on December 16 last year, as reported on The Celtic Star.
After 11 years of ups and downs I have took the decision to leave the club I love. I have made many special memories that I will treasure for life. I would like to thank everyone involved for my time at the club. Now time to focus on myself and my next adventure 🤩💚 pic.twitter.com/tNLkFPOBVh
— Kathleen McGovern (@kathleenmcgove1) December 16, 2021
From a Celtic perspective it seemed a strange one to let Kathleen go. Although not a regular starter, and there is no shame in that, with Charlie Wellings banging in the goals at a barely believable rate this season, Kathleen was still a regular contributor and one who was a very effective squad player for Fran Alonso to have at his disposal.
What was stranger still was Celtic also decided to allow young striking prospect London Pollard also leave, as the striker moved to Motherwell on a permanent basis, and subsequently also allowed Rachel Donaldson, a wide player in recent times but one who had also been used as a backup striker, to also move on, and much like McGovern, Donaldson appeared to have left without another club lined up.
Celtic then appear a little short now on striking options and with Fran Alonso stating he’d no plans to enter the transfer market – although a new signing has been announced this afternoon, defender Annie Timoney joining the club from Glentoran – when he spoke to Celtic Fan media prior to the winter shutdown, it will be interesting to hear from Celtic’s head-coach if that’s now a decision he intends to revisit or if he remains happy operating with the players that remain at his disposal.
✍️ #CelticFC Women are delighted to welcome defender @AnnieTimoney to the club from @Glentoran!
Welcome to Celtic, Annie 👋🍀 pic.twitter.com/jQhsxrsGBC
— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) January 27, 2022
In Kathleen McGovern’s case however perhaps, she did have a plan after all, as the former Celtic striker – and of course League Cup winner – has made the exciting move to the German Bundesliga and has signed for SC Sand, where she’ll wear the number 27 shirt. And Kathleen’s goals may be required as the German side sit second bottom of the Bundesliga and are still awaiting their first win with ten defeats and two draw in their opening 12 matches.
🇩🇪 Congratulations to @kathleenmcgove1 who has signed with German Bundesliga side SC Sand🙌 pic.twitter.com/RWQX0HZv2h
— Consilium Sports Group 🏡 (@consportsgroup) January 25, 2022
Of course, I’m certain we’d all have preferred to see Kathleen remain in a Celtic shirt, rather than the blue of SC Sand – what were you thinking Kathleen?? – but one look at the Bundesliga and the sides the former striker will face up to in the weeks and months ahead makes you realise this simply may have been an opportunity McGovern couldn’t pass up. After all, with Bayern Munich sitting top of the table and huge sides like Werder Bremen, Hoffenheim and Leverkusen all in SC Sand’s division this very much looks a fantastic opportunity to experience both a new footballing culture and a new way of life for the former striker.
Ready for this challenge 💪🏻🤩 pic.twitter.com/pY9355Er0p
— Kathleen McGovern (@kathleenmcgove1) January 26, 2022
After eleven years at Celtic this looks to be an incredible opportunity for Kathleen McGovern and may go some way to explaining her surprise exit from Celtic, and as much as it was sad to see Kathleen McGovern move on, we certainly wish her the best of luck and plenty of goals to push SC Sand up the Bundesliga table.
✍️ Clean sweep winner @AnnieTimoney has signed for @CelticFCWomen.
Thank you for the memories, Annie! #WeAreGlentoran #COYG 💚🐓 pic.twitter.com/BYapfM76y1
— Glentoran FC (@Glentoran) January 27, 2022
Niall J
