Debut Ghirl Saoirse Noonan spoke to the media, including The Celtic Star, at Celtic Park after the Irish international striker scored a double to start to her Celtic career on Flag Day at Paradise in fine style…
Here’s everything that was said…
Q: Did you enjoy your first competitive debut then?
Saoirse Noonan: “Yeah, absolutely. I said earlier, it’s what dreams are made of. To get my first start, to be on the scoresheet, to play at Celtic Park, on Flag Day, it was literally what anyone could dream of. It’s unreal.”
Q: Did you have people here for it?
Saoirse Noonan: “Yeah, there’s about seven upstairs! They were here. I wasn’t sure if I was even going to start or get minutes so I’m over the moon.”
Q: Will that result prove ominous for the rest of the league?
Saoirse Noonan: “We’ve had a really good pre-season. Played some really tough games. And I think it just shows the depth of the squad. Anyone can replace anyone, there’s huge quality there. And yeah, it’s just really exciting. We have a really great group on and off the pitch. It’s just about making sure everything clicks together now so we can build on today.”
Q: What are your own ambitions for this season?
Saoirse Noonan: “For me, coming here and playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world, you just have to enjoy it. That’s what I said to myself coming out today – don’t get caught up in the occasion, just enjoy every moment of it, football doesn’t last forever. As a footballer, we can get caught up in the really nitty gritty bits but at the end of the day, we’re out there kicking a ball, we get to do what we love every day. So for me, the number one thing is to have fun. But look, to score goals, win trophies, and I’m at the right place.”
Q: Does scoring a brace on your debut take the pressure off as a new signing?
Saoirse Noonan: “Yeah definitely. As a striker, your job is to score goals, so coming in today and getting players on the scoresheet and more players getting minutes again, it’s been really beneficial. It’s definitely settled everyone now but we have to keep our standards now, finish our chances and win games.”
Q: 9-0 on opening day, will that make other teams take note?
Saoirse Noonan: “We’re Celtic at the end of the day. We only look at ourselves. We have to show up week in week out. We had a huge fanbase out today which was brilliant but we have another game next week, some midweek games, so they’re coming quick and hard at us but we’re only as good as our last. We’ll certainly take it. There are some learning curves that we have to look at and analyse so it’s exciting times.”
Q: Run us through your goal.
Saoirse Noonan:“I had a few chances and I was thinking that if I had a bit more time that I’d be more composed. Then when Colette Cavanagh flicked the ball to me, I knew I could connect with it and I saw the back of the net ricochetted. There was a moment of relief, nearly. I was absolutely delighted but obviously you want more as a striker then.”
Q: How important is the great link-up play that Celtic displayed today?
Saoirse Noonan: “I think the quality in the team is absolutely amazing. But then again, it’s all about building relationships. And that’s what we did, we had an unbelievable week in Sweden. It’s about knowing each other off the pitch just as much as on the pitch. Getting those little moments, getting those little relationships on the pitch and linking up. It’s a huge squad, we’ve been rotating loads in and out so everyone can play with everyone. Going forward, it’s going to be very exciting. We have a great group.”
Q: Did the first competitive game feel like putting those things to the test?
Saoirse Noonan: “Yeah, definitely. We’re coming here as champions, there’s a few new girls, I’m one of them, and you do feel a bit of pressure and weight on your shoulders. But when you go out and perform like that, and you see all the girls coming in and some coming back from injury like Hana Kerner and Muana Lunoz. It’s really heartwarming and shows that everyone wants everyone to do well and that we’re going to do it together. So yeah, it’s exciting.”
Q: A nice victory to bring into a big name next weekend?
Saoirse Noonan: “Yeah. We score goals and it’s nice to settle the dust now and to bring that into next week with us.
Next up for Celtic FC Women is a home match against Glasgow City at the Excelsior Stadium on Sunday 18 August, kick-off is at 4.10pm.
Jessica Elliott
9⃣ goals
7⃣ different scorersThe ideal way to kick-off the 2024/25 campaign ➕3⃣ 🔥#CELUTD | #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/9I6SUEuvGE
— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) August 10, 2024
