“I am very proud of the Ghirls. What a performance, what an effort,” Elena Sadiku

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The Celtic Star

·14 November 2024

“I am very proud of the Ghirls. What a performance, what an effort,” Elena Sadiku

Elena Sadiku last night stated that she is ‘very proud’ of her players for their valiant display against WSL five-in-a-row Champions Chelsea in a 2-1 defeat at Paradise in the UEFA Women’s Champions League…

Elena Sadiku speaking to Celtic TV after the match. Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Tough task

It was always going to be a tough ask to beat the current English champions. Sonia Bompastor’s Light Blues have been masters of consistency in the Champions League over recent seasons. Unbeaten in 14 matches in the group stages and undefeated in 11 games away from home in the Champions League prior to their short journey to Glasgow, it exemplified how potentially tough a night it could be for Celtic.

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Goal Celtic! And the scorer number 12, Murphy Agnew!!!! Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Murphy Agnew created Celtic history

26 year-old American Murphy Agnew created Celtic history by becoming the first ever Celtic FC Women scorer in Europe’s elite club competition group stage phase as she coolly slotted the ball past helpless Chelsea goalkeeper Zecira Musovic giving the Hoops a shock lead after 22 minutes.

A five-minute quickfire double from Maika Hamano, and then Ashley Lawrence secured Chelsea a half-time lead in front of a raucous home support who travelled in their numbers to cheer on the Ghirls at their inaugural outing in Europe at Celtic Park.

The Huddle. Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Despite a second half performance, the Scottish champions could not find an equaliser and thus remain at the bottom of the group three matches into their Champions League campaign.

Celtic deserved more

Post-match, Celtic boss Elena Sadiku complimented her sides approach to the game, “obviously I’m gutted because I think we deserved more,” she said. “ I think we were the team that looked closest to scoring a goal in the last, not Chelsea. But I am very proud of the girls. What a performance, what an effort. They followed through with the game plan exactly as I wanted to do.

“It’s not only that, I talked about being confident and brave before the game. If you look at that game, you can see players with a lot of confidence. I’m very pleased and I’m very proud.”

READ THIS…Celtic 1-2 Chelsea – Joy turns to Pride, Ghirls rattle English Champions

Caitlin Hayes in action. Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Elena Sadiku added: “We’ve been growing into the competition. Tonight, we showed everything that we can do. The confidence that we get from this performance can only make us stronger. The girls know who we can compete against. Hopefully the first points will come.”

Up next for Celtic is a crucial Glasgow Derby clash with theRangers at New Douglas Park on Sunday. Despite sitting in fourth place, the Hoops remain only two points off league leaders Glasgow City. A victory in Lanarkshire would go a long way in reaffirming belief that the SWPL silverware will remain in the Celtic trophy cabinet by the end of May.

Goal Celtic! And the scorer number 12, Murphy Agnew!!!! Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

There’s no doubt that Celtic FC Women are the finest team in Scotland but the legs are going to be heavy this Sunday after the 120 minutes last Sunday knocking Glasgow City out of the Sky Sports Cup on penalties then taking Chelsea all the way and giving them a considerable scare in the process.

Elena will have to look to her squad a rest a few legs against a Rangers side who were sitting at home with their feet up watching Shetland.

Check out this classy tweet from Chelsea…

Two female managers on a Champions League touchline. 😮‍💨 First to win the #UWCL as a player and manager meets the youngest manager to take a team to the group stage. 🤝
– Wednesday, 13 November 2024

Conor Spence

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“I am very proud of the Ghirls. What a performance, what an effort,” Elena Sadiku