Coach Sadiku Highlights Celtic’s Renewed Drive for Title Defense

“If this doesn’t give us more hunger, I don’t know what will.” Head coach Elena Sadiku expressed her eagerness for Celtic to shift their complete focus to domestic competitions following their final Champions League group stage match next week. In their inaugural appearance in the tournament, the reigning SWPL champions have recorded five losses in five games and will conclude their campaign with an away fixture against Twente on Tuesday. While Sadiku affirmed that Celtic will “go all in” during their game in the Netherlands, the Swedish coach is keen to direct her entire attention to football matters in Scotland – where her team currently holds fourth position with a game in hand – with the objective of rejoining Europe’s elite clubs next season. Sadiku stated, “There are two games left in December, but I can’t wait until we come back in January and our focus is only domestically.” She continued, “I feel like if this [competing in the Champions League] is not going to give us more hunger to win the league again, I don’t know what will because playing against these top teams, being in this competition, I know the girls have absolutely loved it.” The coach added, “We’ve experienced something unique, nobody expected us to be here but look at us, we’re competing with the top teams out there and I am so, so proud.” Alongside the sense of pride, there was an element of frustration as Celtic once again encountered a challenging experience at the highest level. The team conceded three goals from only four shots on target. However, Sadiku indicated that her “disappointment and frustration” regarding this outcome signifies her team’s progress. She further remarked, “I feel a proud coach if my players are frustrated at a loss to Real Madrid.” Sadiku elaborated, “That just shows that we want more. As a coach, if you told me in January when I signed I’d be sitting here frustrated at a result like this, I don’t even think that would be in my head.”