UWCL: FC Gintra 0-2 Celtic – “I want to dream more,” a joyous Elena Sadiku | OneFootball

Celtic FC Women have made history yet again as they beat FC Gintra 2-0 to progress to Round 2 of the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the first time ever…

After a Saoirse Noonan hat-trick saw the Celts take their place in the final of Round 1, there was excitement going into this game. It certainly lived up to the billing, with Shannon McGregor netting her first goal in the Hoops with just 22 minutes on the clock.

It could’ve been two before the half-hour mark as Noonan was fouled in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Mathilde Carstens stepped up but saw her effort saved. But still, Celtic continued to attack.

Celya Barclais almost set up Noonan a few minutes later but the striker’s effort was saved by the goalkeeper. And she almost struck again just before the half-time, but her strike was cleared by the Gintra defence.

Things didn’t change much in the second half as Elena Sadiku’s side continued to control the game. Kelsey Daugherty claimed a long-range effort from the hosts, but the Hoops were comfortable as the clock ticked on.

And as we moved into the final 10 minutes, we finally had another goal to show for it. A cross to the back post was headed home by Kit Loferski to double her sides advantage and to send Celtic into Round 2 beyond any doubt.

What a victory for the Ghirls and what a historic moment for the club. Hopefully, we can get a good draw and make the group stage of the Champions League for the first time ever.

Sadiku spoke to the media after the historic victory. She said: “Hopefully we can do more together. The next step is about trying to prepare the team for Sunday but for me, there’s nothing else I want to do than do more for the club, do more for the supporters. Qualifying for Round 2 is another step, history again, but I want to dream more. I really want to get to the group stages as well.

“I think that we can [make it to the group stages]. There’s quality in this team and players. We need to be better at handling pressure because it’s going to be tougher and tougher. The next team we’re going to face is going to be tougher. This is what Celtic is about, this is what I want to do with Celtic, is trying to be the best team we can be.

“Today, I feel like we were not really there 100% but we still managed to win which was the most important. We still need to learn. We still need to grow. That foundation needs to be built and we’re on a good way to do that.

“I feel like they got momentum when we missed the penalty. They got more hunger. I felt like we maybe didn’t respond good enough but we created chances in the second half, we probably could’ve scored two more to kill the game, but that’s football you know? We got the job done, we wrote history again, and now it’s about looking forward.

“I’m very happy [for Shannon McGregor]. I just want to see the players grow into being a better version of themselves and Shannon’s been in and out a bit because of small injuries. You can see the quality player she is and what she brings to the team, and that finish is amazing. Very happy for her performance today.”

She also spoke about getting to experience this moment with Chloe Craig and Luana Muñoz, who travelled over to watch the Ghirls despite being injured: “I’ve said it from the start, but for me, togetherness and having this family feeling together is something that I always approach, I always want it, because I spend more time with them than I do with my family. I’m never home. And they do the same thing. They put a lot of time into our environment and what we want to do together. So, for me, it was really important to bring them over here.

“Chloe Logan was supposed to come as well but she had different plans. But I’m very happy that they could be here to share the moment with us.”

Goalscorer McGregor also spoke to the media after the game. She said: “It’s amazing [to score my first goal]. I couldn’t write it, in Champions League. I’ve never felt better to be honest, it was great, and on my weak foot as well, it doesn’t happen very often.

“I think it’ll be great [to have a home leg in Round 2]. You see the amount of supporters that we’ve took with us to Lithuania, which is outstanding from them. You could hear them through the whole game, supporting us every game, league and Champions League. So I think it’ll be great for the supporters back home and for all family members to come as well is very precious.”

The draw takes place on Monday and we will have a home and away tie so hopefully our game is at Celtic Park. Make it happen Celtic and isn’t it time that the wider Celtic support show this brilliant group of Celtic players? Let’s make sure that the Ghirls have a huge crowd to roar them on. They are doing Celtic proud!

COYGIG!

Jessica Elliott

COMING SOON ON CELTIC STAR BOOKS…CELTIC IN THE THIRTIES, VOL 1&2 BY MATT CORR…

The Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery is still only £1 each week and you could win up to £25,000! All net proceeds donated to the Celtic Academy. Join today and you will receive this Champions League Bobble Hat!

More Stories / Latest News

UWCL: FC Gintra 0-2 Celtic – “I want to dream more,” a joyous Elena Sadiku

Sep 7 2024, 23:16

Our Magnificent Seven emerges as Celtic score seven at Tynecastle

Sep 7 2024, 12:30

Celtic’s centenary season had to be perfect, and it sure was

Sep 7 2024, 11:59