Anyone who caught Celtic star Jodie Bartle’s fans media press conference yesterday couldn’t fail to have been impressed. The Celtic defender was engaged, insightful, articulate and open throughout. Indeed she puts a lot of the Celtic men to shame in that regard, though it must be said the monotony of the Mainstream media conferences probably plays a part in the disparity. And much like Bartle shone in front of the fans media spotlight, she and her teammates also know how to put up a title challenge as this season they edge the men’s team on that front too.
Celtic return to SWPL action on Sunday for the first time since 13 December and the winter break was extended due to the Covid -19 lockdown, and they go straight into a head-to-head with a fellow title challenger Glasgow City. Although Lockdown restrictions still deny supporters to be in attendance, you can still watch the Celts in action as BBC Alba screens the game live on Easter Sunday with a 4.10pm kick-off.
Here on the Celtic Star, we’ve been covering this exciting Celtic side all season and encouraging you all to tune in whenever the Ghirls are live on the box, something Celtic Head coach Fran Alonso was keen to encourage as he spoke to CelticFC.com.
“It’s great whenever a game is shown on TV, but at the same time with it being a home game I’d rather have our fans here,” the charismatic Celtic Head Coach said. “They will be missed as we really felt them when we beat City, so I think that’s a huge plus that we’ve lost. However, it’s still great that the fans can watch it on TV, and I hope they enjoy the game.”
If you have been tuning in, you’ll know both the standard and the entertainment is top quality, if you haven’t now is as good a time to start as any, as the Celts target both a league title win and a Champions League place.
READ THIS…Jodie Bartle Eyes SWPL Title and Champions League spot as Celtic prepare for Glasgow City test
Celtic have lost some talented players as the impact of playing only seven games this season and being unable to even train as a group took its toll. However, for viewers on Sunday there will be four new signings to run the rule over alongside the long-awaited competitive comeback of the popular and talented Sarah Teegarden, who scored on her recent return from a year out through injury. Head Coach Alonso is clearly looking forward to both:
“Obviously, we are looking forward to competing – I wish we had had two more weeks of preparation, but I understand why we have had four. We need to complete 14 fixtures before June and it’s a very tight calendar, but we’re looking forward to competing again.
🗣️ "They will be missed as we really felt them when we beat City, however, it’s great that fans can watch it on TV, and I hope they enjoy the game." 🍀https://t.co/vCoSodcCFZ
— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) April 1, 2021
“It does feel like a new season. We have been doing a pre-season so the only difference really is that we are starting two points behind, but our goal is to try and win every single game. We aren’t thinking about the league table at the moment. We obviously have four new players, three who have gone and Sarah Teegarden coming back, it does feel like a brand-new season. With so many new players coming it’s still early days and we are far from the end product, but it has been very positive,” Alonso added.
READ THIS…Video – My ‘Honest Mistake’ remark edited out by Celtic PR from Jodie Bartle Media Conference
Anna Filbey, Izzy Atkinson, Jacynta Galabadaarchchi and new American star Mariah Lee are the new recruits to look out for, while the well-kent faces of the likes of wide player and goal threat Sarah Ewens, as well as the midfield dynamism of Natalie Ross and Lisa Robertson, both fresh from Scottish international recognition are regularly stand out performers for the Hoops. Keeping the ball out of the net is the consistent ‘keeper Chloe Craig protected by the calmness personified of Captain Kelly Clark, as the squad looks ready to kick on with a genuine title challenge.
Fran Alonso was full of praise for @SarahTeegarden7 after her hard work in rehab was finally rewarded 🍀https://t.co/KkNnRDLodH
— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) March 31, 2021
Sundays’ opponents, for a match Jodie Bartle indicated would be somewhat of a revenge mission, is the ever-threatenng Glasgow City who lie two points above Celtic in second place, behind theRangers on goal difference. As such a win at K-Park on Sunday will see the Celts leapfrog City, who defeated them on the opening day of the season. It should be pointed out in that particular loss Celtic’s opponents had a fitness advantage having returned to pre-season training earlier than the Hoops as they competed in the Campions League. This time with a more even preparation there is real belief in the Celtic camp that they can return to league football with a confidence inspiring and league table climbing win.
As we saw from yesterday’s press conference, the players can be most entertaining in front of the camera. Tune into BBC Alba on Sunday afternoon and you’ll find the players can match that approach on the field as well as of it. COYGIG!
Niall J
Here’s Jodie Bartle’s Fan Media Conference from yesterday. It’s well worth a listen….
FIXTURE | SUNDAY
💬 The SWPL returns as we travel to Celtic live on BBC ALBA
🆚 @CelticFCWomen
🏆 @SWPL
🕑 4.10pm
🏟 K Park
🖥️ @bbcalba pic.twitter.com/91aA3p0vbk— Glasgow City FC (@GlasgowCityFC) March 31, 2021
