Kelly Clark: Returning to Hampden is always a special feeling | OneFootball

Since making her first visit to Hampden Park as a Hoops player last campaign, the National Stadium has proved to be a happy hunting ground for Celtic FC Women’s captain, Kelly Clark.

And the defender will be hoping that is the case once more as the Ghirls prepare to return to Hampden this weekend, for more Scottish Cup action.

Following her success there last season where they defeated Rangers in the final 2-0, Clark and her team-mates will return to the arena where they lifted the trophy in May 2023.

The same opposition lie in wait for the Celts, with a huge Glasgow derby against Rangers on the horizon this Saturday (April 27).

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s game, Clark is excited to mark her return to Hampden as a Celtic player, with another big match to look forward too as Elena Sadiku’s side aim to reach the finals of the competition for the third season running.

She said: “It’s always a buzz to be here at Hampden Park. The memories of the final last year are some of the best memories in football that I’ve got.

“Between the crowd, and the atmosphere that the crowd created and the performance that we put in.

“Before that, any of the best memories I had was coming to watch Celtic or Scotland. Now, when I come back, the first thing you remember is the feeling of total elation when that second goal went in and then when the final whistle went.

“These are the games you look forward to. I think it’s probably an emotion a lot of people won’t understand because everyone will think that it’s such a nervy game and there is pressure.

“But it’s the reason that you play football and play for a top side. The rivalry between the two teams is huge.

“To play at the National Stadium, in the fixture that it is, it’s a special occasion and one that any player that is involved in it cherishes.”

Coming off the back of a successful day at Paradise last weekend, where the Ghirls ran out 5-0 winners over Hearts, Clark and the Hoops squad come into this one full of confidence.

Having built up momentum in recent months, the Celts will be aiming to secure another huge victory against their Glasgow rivals on Saturday.

The captain is hoping the Celtic faithful will come out in their numbers once again to cheer on the squad, with a place in the final up for grabs.

“When the fans come and make the noise, it’s a cliché, but it’s like having an extra player on the pitch,” she explained.

“The energy that it gives you in moments when you need it, and then the celebration that you get to have with them in the moments you deserve it, it’s a special bond.

“They are a great set of fans, and any time they come they make us feel good and there support means the world.”

Fixtures

Celtic Women Vs. Rangers Women - Sat, Apr 27th 2024, 12:15