Rangers v Celtic FC Women: “We know ourselves that we’re a good team,” Chloe Craig

Yesterday, The Celtic Star attended the pre-match press conference at Celtic Park in the build-up to the biggest game of the season thus far for Celtic FC Women…

If the Ghirls secure three points on Sunday at Ibrox, then we will close the gap in this title race and move to within a point of top spot. Celtic legend Chloe Craig was first up followed by her manager Elena Sadiku who spoke about the importance of Celtic fans at an away game and much more. We’ll start with Chloe’s media conference then we’ll cover Elena’s…Here’s what was said when Chloe Craig spoke to STV, Jessica from The Celtic Star and Claire from Cynic Women…

STV: How much are the players looking forward to this one?

Chloe Craig: “Of course it’s a game that we’re always excited for. Especially when the two names come up, Celtic v (the)Rangers, it’s something that you play for, it’s what you train for, and it’s the games that we want to be playing so I think everyone knows the rivalry between each club and each team. So yeah, we’re all looking forward to it.”

STV: Given how tight it is at the top of the table, how much significance do you place on this game?

Chloe Craig: “It is tight and especially after the results at the weekend. We know what we need to do and that’s what we’re focusing on and that’s what we’re working on in training. So yeah, our heads are down and we’re ready for it.”

STV: You mentioned the results at the weekend, how much encouragement do you take from that?

Chloe Craig: “We don’t really look too much into that. We just really concentrate on ourselves, but we did see the results and it gave us a little bit of a confidence boost. Not too much, like I said we don’t really look into it, but it does give us something to chase.”

STV: How do you feel that the players have adopted to the style of play that Elena wants?

Chloe Craig: “Its new. There’s a lot of things that have changed within the team and in the club so it’s just adapting to that. It’s good that she’s come in and she’s had her structure, and we’ll try to adapt to that, and we’ve dealt with that but it’s something that its new to us and its exciting for us going ahead.”

The Celtic Star: Is there anything in specific you’ve been working on in training this week in preparation for this big game?

Chloe Craig: “There might be but that’s something that I don’t really want to disclose right now! But hopefully, we’ll see that on Sunday.”

The Celtic Star: Just how important are the away fans going to be at Ibrox?

Chloe Craig: “It’s a bit cliché but everybody always says that they are your 12th man and to us they really are. They follow us everywhere and that’s something that we really appreciate. We hear them every single week. Also, when we need that little bit of a burst, we just look to them.”

The Celtic Star: You scored two goals last time against theRangers, are you confident of getting another one under your belt?

Chloe Craig: “Hopefully! You know it’s always well to score but especially scoring against theRangers. It is special for me being a Celtic fan. If I don’t get a goal, as long as we win the game, that’s the most important thing.”

The Celtic Star: How confident are the team at the minute that you can go on and win this league?

Chloe Craig: “We know ourselves that we’re a good team and we’ve showed that, and we’ve proved that. We believe in each other, and we believe in us as a team. There’s more to work on, of course there is, and there still a long season ahead. But it’s exciting so we’re just looking forward to that.”

Cynic Women: Since Elena came in, we’ve seen the formation flip to a back four and a back three. Do you have a preference about the way that you play and how have you been able to adapt to that?

Chloe Craig: “Not necessarily. In the past, we’ve played a back four and recently we’ve played back three. We know we can play either or. But as long as it’s working for us and we’re adapting to it well, anything goes for us as a team.”

Cynic Women: You’ve scored a lot of goals this season, is that something you’ve looked to add to your game?

Chloe Craig: “I think it’s more about the way the team have been playing and the ball just falling either to my feet or to my head. As a defender, I’m trying to do the opposite. I’m trying to save people from scoring so many goals and achieving over a hundred goals. But for me it’s an honour. It’s not something that I’ve put a target on my back to try and get.”

Celtic FC Women are at Ibrox this Sunday, 18 February to take on theRangers in the SWPL1, with the kick-off at 3.10pm. Tickets for the Celtic end are available HERE. Watch Chloe’s Craig’s Media Conference below…