Elena Sadiku’s first match at the helm of Celtic Women ended in a narrow and dramatic defeat in the Sky Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers.
The intense encounter, which saw Celtic initially lead, ultimately concluded with a last-minute penalty decision that swung the result in favour of Rangers, ending the match 3-2.
Addressing the crucial penalty that tipped the game, Sadiku shared her perspective in the post-match comments with CeltsAreHere.com. “It didn’t look so bad from my side [Caitlin Hayes’ challenge] so I don’t know. I haven’t seen it back,” she said, reflecting the uncertainty that often accompanies such decisive moments in football. Sadiku also mentioned that Caitlin Hayes, involved in the challenge, expressed her apologies to the team, “Caitlin said sorry for the whole team.”
Despite the disappointing outcome, Sadiku is optimistic about the future. “I’m looking forward to having a full week with the squad, it’s going to be amazing. I can’t wait at all. It’s going to be more calm because I know the girls and they know me. So I can’t wait to look ahead,” she expressed.
Sadiku emphasised the importance of learning from the match, viewing it not as a setback but as an opportunity for growth. “I’m going to make sure that we learn a lot from this game because for me it’s not about stepping down, it’s about stepping up and doing better,” she stated.
Reflecting on her first week in Glasgow, Sadiku described it as intense yet fulfilling. Her enthusiasm for the role and commitment to improvement were evident. “It’s been an intense week. I’m really happy to be here. I can’t wait for this to continue, and to work harder, to learn and to work as a team. Obviously, we have a lot of potential and I can’t wait to learn more about the players and the game,” she said.
Sadiku also praised the Celtic fans for their incredible support, looking forward to having them behind the team in upcoming games, saying, “The fans were incredible and I can’t wait for the next game to have them behind us again.”
Her debut, despite the loss, sets a tone of determination and optimism for Celtic Women under her leadership. As Sadiku settles into her role, the focus will be on building the team’s strengths and addressing areas for improvement, with an eye on future successes.
