Hana Kerner: Every game is as important as the next at this stage

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Celtic F.C.

·28 April 2023

Hana Kerner: Every game is as important as the next at this stage

Celtic FC Women’s defender Hana Kerner is loving life in Glasgow after another positive week of results for the Hoops.

The American defender joined the club in January, and so far she has only tasted defeat once during her first few months at the club.

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The last seven days in particular have been superb for the 26-year-old and her team-mates, after picking up three fantastic results.

Speaking to the media ahead of Sunday’s game against Hibernian, Kerner reflected on her first few months at Celtic and insisted she is enjoying the environment that comes with playing for the Hoops.

She said: “I feel like I’m starting to settle in after a few months, especially after learning more about the team and the environment.

‘It’s been good. I think the environment here really sets players up to do well.’

“Training is always competitive and intense, so you have to match that if you want to be able to compete.

“All the staff and the players are making sure to bring out the best out of each other every day. We want to do well for ourselves, each other and to be able to accomplish our goals, so I think that helps us all massively on the field.”

Following on from last weekend's Scottish Cup semi-final success against Glasgow City, the Ghirls return to league action on Sunday.

The Edinburgh side will travel to the Excelsior Stadium fresh off the back of a 1-1 draw against their rivals at Easter Road last weekend.

Although the Celts have picked up maximum points against Hibernian this season, Kerner is well aware of the task that lies ahead, with every game being as important as the next.

“We are all looking forward to Sunday’s game,” she said. “We all know how much every single game matters at this point in the season.

'Every three points is just as important as the next, and we have to take care of business. It’s going to take everything that we have and every player that we have.'

“We all know we have to rise to the occasion, just like we have in the past few games, and we're excited to try and do that.”

Before Kerner’s arrival at the club, Hibernian’s last visit to Airdrie ended in an incredible 9-0 win for the Celts on the opening day of the campaign.

The Edinburgh side, currently fifth in the SWPL table, have come on leaps and bounds since that day, and there is an aspect of unpredictability about Dean Gibson’s side.

Despite that, Kerner is confident that the Hoops can come away with all three points so long as they focus on themselves and imposing their game.

She said: “It can be a challenge to face an unpredictable team, but at the same time we have to focus on ourselves and focus on what we can do.

“We have to trust that if we take care of that, show up and do the best we can then hopefully we will get the result. I think we can go into the game knowing that we can do that and we are preparing to do that.