“No fear” is the message from Elena Sadiku to her Celtic players as they prepare for Saturday’s Champions League showdown against Gintra.
After going 1-0 down to Finnish side KuPS on Tuesday, it looked as though it was going to be an all-too familiar feeling for Celtic fans as yet another European opportunity was about to pass them by.
But the introduction of summer signing Saoirse Noonan changed the game, as she found herself on the scoresheet just minutes after her introduction.
That took the tie to extra-time, where two more goals from the striker secured the win for the Glasgow outfit.
Should Celtic emerge victorious on Saturday they will face a two-legged tie against a single opponent, with the winner progressing to the 16-team group stage.
“I know they’re going to fear us a little bit,” Sadiku said of the Lithuanian side, who are also the hosts of the mini-tournament.
“The mentality for them is that they’re the underdogs and I know that they’re going to make sure they give us the hardest challenge they can.
“We should be confident enough to do what we’re good at and win the game.”
‘We respect all but fear none’
Sadiku may need to consider some alterations to her starting line-up after Noonan’s introduction brought energy and an attacking threat to the side from the moment she was subbed on.
“I’ve said it enough and I keep saying it but the players that come in make an impact,” the head coach added.
“Not only for me as a coach but for the players still on the pitch, players coming in with that energy and quality I think that says everything about our squad this season.”
Defender Caitlin Hayes is also hoping Celtic can make their mark in this competition.
“There will be respect there but there will be no fear,” she said.
“We know what we bring to the group.
“We respect all but fear none when it comes to what we can do and where we can take ourselves throughout this competition.”
Rangers are in action on Saturday too but after their 6-0 defeat to WSL giants Arsenal, Jo Potter’s side are battling for third place rather than first.
They will face Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, who were beaten by Rosenborg earlier in the week.