Celtic Women’s Team

Just catching up on all today's news. Lots going on.

First off, the draw. That is a tough group. Chelsea are a really strong team, and even without Sam Kerr they were still very strong, so with her back and fully fit, that is going to be tough, tough, tough. Real Madrid are Real Madrid, but they have only once been able yto get out of the Group Stage, which underlines how tough it is, and last year finished 4th in their Group, but there is a lot of experience there. Not sure about what the Twente side are like, but yeah, no easy games at this level, that's for sure. Will be fantastic for the Ghirls.

Not 100% on why playing one of these games at CP, unless there is a reason for it. CP is a big, big ground (not just the stadium but the dimensions of the pitch itself), and the Ghirls have struggled at times to get their fluency going on the big pitch and they've not always been the most convincing, which is the same as when playing at Hampden - anoyther big pitch... so unless this is something they've worked on... but on the upside, hopefully they get a big, big turnout for that game, that would be fantastic! Hopefully thr lub makes every effort to try to encourage as many people as possible to attend.

Also, I eard that Celtic winning to reach the Group Stage yesterday brings in roughly £400,000 for the rest of women's game in Scottish Football. No idea if that includes Celtic's share or what they are going to get, but really hope that is invested back into the game, and helps make some of the other clubs that are amatuer or semi-pro being able to make them a little more competitive also.

But still, £400,000 is what UEFA is giving Scottish Football for Celtic women making it this far. Will be very curious how that breaks down, and if it is done in the same sort of fashion as the men... but it does highlight the massive difference in the levels of finances involved between the womene and men at UEFA level.

By contrast, in the Men's game for Celtic qualifying for the 'League phase', the other Scottish clubs got the following...

£1.6m - Dundee, Hibs, Kilmarnock, Motherwell, Ross County, St Johnstone, St Mirren.
£950k - Dundee United & Aberdeen.
650k - Hearts & Livingston.

United did not get the full whack, as they were in the Championship last season and Livi the same because relegated. Aberdeen got their amount but not the full share as they were in the Conference League group stage last season and Hearts similiarly, as they qualified for the GS for this season.

Also the move to New Douglass Park, does this mean ground share with both Accies and Clyde used that as their home ground. So is that now 3 teams who share that as their home ground? Last i recalled, it was still an artificial surface pitch - is it still?

At least it is for 2 seasons and hopefully that is all. I presume as they expect that Barrowfield to be up to spec, not only as a training facoility for the academy and the women's team, but the actual home ground that is going to be there will have been completed by that time also?

Whatever the case is, these are seriously exciting times for the Ghirls!

PSG are still a big noise in French women's football, but perhaps not quite what they were a couple of years ago, ever since the whole freinemies carjacking/assault incident, really did a lot of damage don't think they've properly gotten past yet, especially (as far as I know) as the court case pending.

 

I get that they need to move as airdries ground isn’t approved for eufa games but Hamilton? transport links are better but I don’t know if accies still use a plastic pitch, hopefully not. Being given use of Parkhead seems like a reward for progressing but as Taz mentioned above it’s a huge playing surface, I just hope our general support and GB/Bhoys get behind the Ghirls and there’s a good attendance and noisy support.

 

That CL Semifinal 1st leg between OL & PSG last year was probably my favorite women’s match of the season

 

Celtic FC Women will kick-start a historic UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign with a home match against FC Twente on Tuesday, October 8 (KO: 8pm).

After reaching the group stages of the world’s most prestigious club competition, Elena Sadiku’s side were drawn to face Chelsea, Real Madrid and FC Twente.

The Ghirls will have three home and away ties to look forward too with the first home match coming against the Dutch side at the beginning of next month.

That is followed by a trip to the Spanish capital to take on Real Madrid, before returning home on matchday three as Sadiku and her squad take on Chelsea.

A reverse trip to London kick starts the second round of matches, leading into a final home outing against Real Madrid and then rounding off the six fixtures with a trip to take on FC Twente in December.

Full details relating to venue confirmation and ticketing information to follow next week.

Celtic FC Women UWCL Fixtures
Tuesday, October 8 (8pm KO)
Celtic FC Women v FC Twente

Thursday, October 17 (5:45pm KO)
Real Madrid v Celtic FC Women

Wednesday, November 13 (8pm KO)
Celtic FC Women v Chelsea

Wednesday, November 20 (8pm KO)
Chelsea v Celtic FC Women

Wednesday, December 11 (8pm KO)
Celtic FC Women v Real Madrid

Tuesday, December 17 (5:45pm KO)
FC Twente v Celtic FC Women