Monday, December 16, 2024

‘Heavyweight draw as Celtic enter elite’

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Talk about rubbing shoulders with Europe’s elite.

Celtic have been drawn in a bumper group for their first foray in the Champions League proper.

They avoided last season’s finalists – Barcelona and Lyon – but can look forward to facing reigning Women’s Super League champions, Chelsea.

Former Lyon boss Sonia Bompaster, the first female to win this competition as a player and head coach, has been set the task of emulating that success with Chelsea.

There’s a familiar face in their midfield in the shape of Scotland international Erin Cuthbert. And Chelsea also recently recruited right-back Lucy Bronze, fresh off the back of back-to-back Champions League wins with Barcelona.

There’s a return home on the horizon for Caroline Weir, too. The midfielder will be back in Scotland with her Real Madrid side.

While there are no Scottish links in the Twente team, it’s yet another exciting encounter to look forward to.

You only need to look at their second-round result – an aggregate 8-1 triumph against Croatia’s Osijek – to understand the Dutch outfit are no mugs.

Head coach Elena Sadiku said she hopes to “surprise teams” in the competition. But it would be a big shock should Celtic upset any of these heavyweights.

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