Elena Sadiku has challenged Celtic to place themselves “on the map” by qualifying for the group stage of the Ladies’s Champions League for the primary time.
The Hoops will make it by way of so long as they’ll shield a 1-0 lead, which they earned on Sunday, within the second leg of their second-round tie towards Ukrainian aspect Vorskla Poltava in Airdrie on Thursday.
Sadiku was appointed Celtic boss in January 2023 and led them to their first SWPL title final time period, and the Swede is set to take one other important step.
“It would mean a lot, we would write history again and that’s what we want to do,” stated Sadiku.
“I’ve stated from the beginning that I need to be sure we put Celtic on the map and if we get to the group stage, that is precisely what we’ll do.
“We received the title final season so we’re initially of one thing new, one thing good, one thing huge. For me, it has been necessary to construct the muse.
“The journey from the place the membership was to the place it’s now, I feel individuals can see we’re making modifications and the membership is supporting it.
“It’s not going to happen fast. I signed up for a long-term project and we are working hard to get to these situations.
“I simply hope the gamers really feel like they’re dwelling the dream as a result of stepping into the group stage would imply we’re one of many prime 16 groups in Europe. That might be a large factor. I get goosebumps simply fascinated about it.”
Natalie Ross, 35, has been at Celtic since 2016 and the midfielder is relishing Thursday’s match.
“There’s a number of pleasure as a result of we all know what’s at stake,” she said.
“I feel we are able to take a number of confidence from Sunday’s sport, I might say it was considered one of our greatest performances.
“We can’t underestimate them because they are a very good team. It’s hard not to get too ahead of ourselves but if we get there it would be an unbelievable achievement.”
When is the group stage draw?
The group-stage draw will happen on Friday September 27, with the following fixtures scheduled to be performed on the next dates:
- Matchday 1: October 8/9
- Matchday 2: October 16/17
- Matchday 3: November 12/13
- Matchday 4: November 20/21
- Matchday 5: December 11/12
- Matchday 6: December 17/18
