Celtic FC Women hitting something of a slump, Champions League to blame

Bayley Hutchison sees her shot saved by Celtic goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty during the ScottishPower Women's Premier League 1 match between Hearts and Celtic at Oriam Sports Performance Centre on 13 October 2024. Photo Malcolm Mackenzie (© ScottishPower Women’s Premier League | Malcolm Mackenzie)

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Celtic FC Women hitting something of a slump, Champions League to blame

By Editor - 14th Oct 2024, 01:50pm

Celtic FC Women hitting something of a slump? Could European participation be to blame?

Kayla Jardine of Hearts Women shoots at goal and sees her shot deflected by Maria McAneny into the Celtic net during the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 1 match between Hearts Women and Celtic FC Women at Oriam Sports Performance Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland on 13 October 2024. Photo Malcolm Mackenzie / ScottishPower Women’s Premier League (© ScottishPower Women’s Premier League | Malcolm Mackenzie)

Celtic FC Women suffered their first league defeat of the season. They lost out 1-0 to Hearts in Edinburgh yesterday afternoon.

Elena Sadiku’s side have now failed to win in their last three games after drawing with theRangers, a European defeat to FC Twente and of course yesterday’s bitterly disappointing defeat in the capital. That was the first time ever that Celtic FC Women have lost to Hearts.

Elena Sadiku was critical of her players

Elena Sadiku gave her reaction after the clash against Hearts over in the Oriam.
#HEACEL | #SWPL | #COYGIG 🍀 pic.twitter.com/WHwV9mLva6

— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) October 13, 2024

The Celtic manager was rightly critical of the side who produced their worst performance of the campaign. One can only wonder if our participation in Europe is a major factor. Playing in Europe can be a major problem when it comes to league form as the men’s side have found out all too often.

Kayla Jardine celebrates after the deflected own goal during the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 1 match between Hearts and Celtic at Oriam Sports Performance Centre, on 13 October 2024. Photo: Malcolm Mackenzie (© ScottishPower Women’s Premier League | Malcolm Mackenzie)

New to Champions League

Elena’s side are new to all that, and it’s only natural that they will feel the physical and mental pressure of battling on two different fronts.

Yesterday’s loss sees them sitting 5th place in the league six points behind theRangers who sit top. Celtic however do have a game in hand against one of the weaker sides in the league. That could cut that gap to just three points and they have a home game against theRangers next month.

Hearts head coach Eva Olid is all smiles after the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 1 match between Hearts Women and Celtic FC Women at Oriam Sports Performance Centre on 13 October 2024. Photo: Malcolm Mackenzie, (© ScottishPower Women’s Premier League | Malcolm Mackenzie)

It’s not getting any easier though as there’s a small matter of a trip to Real Madrid up next for the Ghirls before a home game with Spartans.

It’s important that they learn to juggle between playing in Europe and domestically. Indeed it’s imperative if they want to be successful this season.

Here’s the Hearts winner from yesterday in case you haven’t yet seen it.

Tadhal do Hearts! Kayla Jardine a’ chuir Hearts air thoiseach!⚽️

Jardine gives Hearts the lead! pic.twitter.com/Vee8uZ7E9J

— BBC ALBA (@bbcalba) October 13, 2024

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 A huge congratulations to Shannon McGregor, who has been called up to the latest Scotland squad ahead of this month’s international break 👏#CelticFC🍀 https://t.co/cfUVqlqEa9 pic.twitter.com/CK4rBmwiao

— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) October 14, 2024