Celtic 0-2 FC Twente – Big crowd but Hoops suffer Champions League frustration | OneFootball

Celtic’s UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign got off to a disappointing start after Van Dooren scored at the end of each half to give the Dutch Champions the three points.

Celtic v FC Twente –  Emma Lawton left and FC Twente s Ella Peddemors battle for the ball during the UEFA Women s Champions League, group stage match at New Douglas Park, Hamilton on Tuesday October 8, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

And with Chelsea getting the points after a narrow 3-2 home victory over Real Madrid, Celtic find themselves bottom of the table and perhaps the best opportunity, on paper at least, for picking up points already passed up.

Celtic started strongly but couldn’t capitalise on that early pressure, with the impressive crowd of 2784 giving the Ghirls tremendous encouragement throughout the ninety three minutes of Champions League football. The Celtic End was back and they didn’t disappoint. Their ‘Come on you Ghirls in Green’ chant which was repeated by the younger Celtic FC Women regular supporters was amazing and also rather amusing.

Celtic v FC Twente – Celtic fans in the stands ahead of the UEFA Women s Champions League, group stage match at New Douglas Park, Hamilton. Picture date: Tuesday October 8, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

The Dutch side seemed content to sit in but we clearly looking for the long ball to get in behind Celtic back three and capitalise on the perceived  lack of pace in the Celtic defence. And just as Celtic frustrations were growing that a first half lead had not materialised, Kayleigh Van Dooren got in behind Caitlin Hayes and didn’t hesitate to execute a clever lob to leave Kelsey Daugherty stranded.

Kayleigh Van Dooren celebrates scoring to give Twente a 0-1 lead. Celtic Women v FC Twente Women, UEFA Women s Champions League,  New Douglas Park , Hamilton 08 October 2024. Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

It was a sickening sucker punch, one that often seems to hit home for the Bhoys at this level and so it happened too to Elena Sadiku’s talented side. The Swedish head coach had her chance to reclaim the initiative in the dressing room moments later and Celtic rallied after the break. The big chance for glory feel to Murphy Agnew but she couldn’t organise her feet and the chance was lost.

Celtic were always a threat at corners but the Dutch side had done clearly their homework and this avenue too was closed down to the Scottish Champions who lost their first game of the season tonight.

Celtic v FC Twente – UEFA Women s Champions League – Group Stage – New Douglas Park FC Twente’s Kayleigh van Dooren celebrates scoring their side’s second goal of the game during the UEFA Women s Champions League, group stage match at New Douglas Park, Hamilton.: Tuesday October 8, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

A second from Kayleigh Van Dooren close to the end when she hammered home with real conviction giving Daugherty absolutely no chance, and that was it. Game, set and match, FC Twente.

Ultimately it was a tight game when the first goal was always going to be highly significant and frustratingly for Celtic that was rather too easily won by the Dutch side moments before the break.

IMAGO / PA Images. Celtic v FC Twente – Celtic goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty clears from a corner during the UEFA Women s Champions League, group stage match at New Douglas Park, Hamilton on Tuesday October 8, 2024. Photo: Andrew Milligan

Two players missing this evening through injury, Amy Gallacher and Kit Loferski, would have provided pace and guile, both difference makers and big game player who would have thrived in this elite environment in the women’s game. Hopefully they are fit for the second game and it’s a cracker.

Next up Celtic are away to Real Madrid on Thursday 17 October at the Alfredo Di Stéfano stadium.  The Ghirls will go there and give them a game. Super confident Elena Sadiku will also believe her side can win in the Spanish capital. But for now it’s a story of what might have been for Celtic on their first ever appearance in the Champions League group stages. They were competitive enough but frustratingly lost that first goal and with it the three points. Left with frustrations rather than glory, margins are fine at this level but this team will come back for more.

Tonight FC Twente were the better side, but there wasn’t much in it. Had we scored first…

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