Celtic v Spartans – Match Preview, Team News, Match Officials, Kick-off Time | OneFootball

Celtic FC Women get back to SWPL1 duties this afternoon with their first league game at their new home over at new Douglas Park against Spartans…

New Douglas Park, the new home of Celtic FC Women.

The team trained at Barrowfield yesterday after a rest day following the energy sapping UEFA Women’s Champions League match in Madrid on Wednesday night. The Celtic players left nothing on the park against a top quality opponent and the 4-0 scoreline certainly flattered Madrid.

For 70 minutes Celtic were competitive with no player failing to play to their potential and none looking out of place at this elite level of football among the top 16 women’s sides in European football.  They trailed only because the early opener was world class but after that Madrid’s attacks were frustrated and the noise from the stands was coming from the outstanding travelling Celtic support.

Caroline Weir of Real Madrid is challenged by Amy Gallacher and Natalie Ross of Celtic during the UEFA Women’s Champions League match between Real Madrid CF and Celtic FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on October 17, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Fresh legs from Real Madrid coupled with Celtic visibly tiring in the closing stages gave real three late goals on a night when Celtic created little but did have a couple of decent chances to get that illusive first ever goal in the group stages of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. That I am sure will come.

Elena Sadiku’s side should have two major takeaways from the trip to the Alfredo Di Stéfano stadium in Madrid.

Alba Redondo of Real Madrid is challenged by Lucy Ashworth-Clifford of Celtic during the UEFA Women’s Champions League match between Real Madrid CF and Celtic FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on October 17, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

October 17, 2024, Valdebebas, Madrid, SPAIN: Athenea del Castillo of Real Madrid in action during the UEFA WomenÃââ s Champions League, Group B, football match played between Real Madrid and Celtic FC at Alfredo Di Stefano stadium on October 17, 2024, in Valdebebas, Madrid, Spain. Photo Dennis Agyeman

There’s been no pre-match media, although both Elena and Kelly Clark spoke to The Celtic Star on Wednesday evening shortly after the final whistle. Thoughts were all on the Champions League then so nothing was asked about Spartans today.

They are an opponent that occasionally gives Celtic trouble but there can be no room for error today after last weekend’s poor showing in the 1-0 defeat to Hearts.

Players of Celtic pose for a team photograph prior to the UEFA Women’s Champions League match between Real Madrid CF and Celtic FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on October 17, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Expect many of the players who started on the bench in Madrid to be called upon today in the starting XI. That could include the likes of Richardson, Smith, McGregor, Cross, Noonan, Luana and McAnemy.

Three points is a must and then we head into an International break, with many Celts called up for their respective countries. The next game for Celtic FC Women is an away SWPL1 match against Motherwell at K Park on 2nd November.

Kick-off today is at 2pm, there’s no live television coverage of this one today so if you’re not heading over to New Douglas Park then keep up to date with the score via the official Celtic FC Women’s X account. Tickets for Celtic FC Women v Spartans can be purchased HERE.

Elena Sadiku, Head Coach of Celtic, looks on prior to the UEFA Women’s Champions League match between Real Madrid CF and Celtic FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on October 17, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Image

Match officials this afternoon are as follows. Michael McCart will be the match referee and he is assisted by Nathan Deane and Joseph Cheney. There is no VAR in the SWPL1 at this stage but you would imagine it won’ be too long before this happened, perhaps a few seasons down the line.

There was a nice message this morning for Celts everywhere and especially for Elena Sadiku from Ilir Meta,  the former President of Albania…

Score Prediction – Celtic 4 Spartans 0

COYGIG!

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