Elena Sadiku: We are focused on the task ahead against Vorskla

Celtic F.C.

·26 September 2024

Elena Sadiku: We are focused on the task ahead against Vorskla

The chance to make even more history awaits the Celtic FC Women squad later this evening (Thursday), with just Vorskla Poltava standing in the Ghirls’ way as they aim to qualify for the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Following on from Sunday’s 1-0 victory over the Ukrainian champions, the Hoops lead going into the second leg at the Albert Bartlett Stadium.

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With a chance to enter the Champions League group stages for the first time in the club’s history, Elena Sadiku’s side have the opportunity to write the Celts’ latest chapter.

Speaking to the press ahead of tonight's match, the Celtic boss reflected on her side’s performance at the weekend, and opened up on what her squad will have taken from the first outing.

After a strong showing in the first leg, Sadiku now believes her side will be able to get the job done.

She said: “For me, I think we executed the game plan really well. The players performed really well, and we created enough chances to win with more goals.

“Obviously for me, it was just about learning from what we can do better to not make them threaten us like they did on Sunday.

'But also, there is going to be more space for us to attack, and we just need to do a little bit better with our decision making.'

“Hopefully from there we can get the job done.”

This evening’s match offers another huge spectacle for the Hoops, with just 90 minutes separating Celtic and the group stages.

Although it is going to be a big night in Airdrie, Sadiku insists her squad are fully focused and ready for the challenge ahead.

“We are just focused on the game,” she said. “Even if there is a special game, for us it’s treated the same as every other game.

“It’s about preparing the girls the same way. We need to go out there, perform well execute the game plan, and that is it.

“You can hear when Natalie (Ross) is talking, in her voice how excited she is. But for me, it’s about being calm enough to know that we know exactly how to threaten them. We know exactly what to be aware of.

'We also know that the occasion will be very special. But it will be treated as a normal game. It is 90 minutes of football, and that is what we are going to focus on.'

“As a group we’ve talked about it. We know the occasion and how special it is. But it’s all about being focused on the game and the task, don’t let emotions take over.

“I think that is something that we have been trying to do really well. You could see that on Sunday in the first leg.

“With the chances that we create in the game, we couldn’t have done that if we were stressed or nervous.

“So, we have talked about it and now it’s about focusing on the task, and what we need to do.

“I’m very confident that we will put in a good performance.”