In the immediate aftermath of Celtic’s successful negotiation of their first Champions League hurdle, Elena Sadiku posted the club’s name among the heavyweights her side are now keeping company with as they look to book their place in the group stages of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Getting there would put Celtic on the map in a way they never have before.
“When I showed that picture many of the players got overwhelmed and thought ‘wow.’” She said.
“I don’t want them only to dream, I want them to accomplish those dreams. You have a name and that name will become something when you have that moment.
“I want the players to achieve that and live their dream. As a club, looking forward, it will give us more hunger to be successful.
“We know that we can get to the group stages for the first time ever and we know that we can write history again.
“I have been a part of Champions League as a player and a coach but it feels more special. The club is special to me so this whole experience is so much more special than what I have experienced before. I am just looking forward to today.”
On Friday, Celtic captain Kelly Clark articulated the association the club has with European football, a connection that she revealed moved her to tears as she led the team out to the strains of the Celtic song in the club’s first ever Champions League qualifier last season.
There was nothing hyperbolic about her remarks but rather a grounding in where Celtic have been as a part-time women’s side and where they are now as they stand on the cusp of what would be another significant footnote in their brief history.
Read more:
- Captain Kelly Clark hungry to achieve Champions League dream at Celtic
- Celtic's performance against Bratislava catches ex-England stars eye
Sadiku’s role this afternoon as they play Vorskla Poltava at noon in Airdrie is to ensure that there is a belief that they belong at this level. Both she and Clark were at Celtic Park on Wednesday night as Brendan Rodgers’ side kicked off their Champions League campaign with a record win with both suggesting that the experience has whet the appetite for this afternoon.
Rodgers and Sadiku exchange good luck messages before their respective games but this first leg tie will require more than a wing and a prayer.
“I said I wanted to do something special,” said Sadiku. “When I came here I said I wanted us to dominate domestically and be successful in Europe and if we get to the group stages of the Champions League then that is what we will have done.
“For me, we have been dreaming about having these chances and I want them to achieve that and to live their dreams. For that, I need to make sure they are excited and hungry and enjoying the moment because we know what pressure can do for players.
“It needs to be the hunger and excitement that is so much bigger than thinking of something else because we have a great opportunity.”
They may never have a better one. With both legs of this play-off round at home due to the Ukrainian side’s inability to host because of current political circumstances, there is an added advantage for Sadiku as they play this afternoon before then squaring off again on Thursday.
“Every game is something you look forward to,” said the Swede. “I want to prepare the team for every single game and that doesn’t change. This will be two half-times. It is about how to prepare for that and we also know that it is a special occasion. But we have to enjoy it.”
