KuPS v Celtic, UWCL – Match Preview, Kick-off 10am Wednesday, Watch via PPV

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The Celtic Star

·3 September 2024

KuPS v Celtic, UWCL – Match Preview, Kick-off 10am Wednesday, Watch via PPV

Celtic FC Women play their first UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) game of the season against KuPS tomorrow (Wednesday), with the winner taking their place in the final of the Round One mini-tournament…

The Celtic squad travelled to Lithuania on Monday and have been working hard in preparation for the clash. Our Finnish opponent will be difficult, as they currently sit second in their league, and have won the league title for the last three seasons.

Elena Sadiku spoke to the media, including The Celtic Star, before the game, via Zoom. She told us: “I’m super excited [to get tested in Europe]. It’s very early in the season and I think we’ve been growing as a team. I know that we’re Champions and everything but I still think that we can get better and better and that’s something I’ve seen lately. I hope and I know that this experience will make us stronger and better as a team.

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Kelly Clark of Celtic holds off Eilidh Adams of Hibernian during the ScottishPower Womens Premier League 2024/25 Season. Celtic vs Hibernian. , 30/08/2024. Photo: Colin Poultney/SWPL

“So I’m very excited for the challenge and for how the players are going to take that challenge on because I’m very confident that I have a special group that I coach. I can’t wait to see what we’re going to do tomorrow.

“I see the players are excited, I see they’re passionate, they’re hungry. You can see that they feel that this is going to be a great opportunity for us to make our mark and to see that Celtic is a great team.

“Domestically, we want to dominate but we want to make sure we do well out in Europe as well. This is just the start of trying to make that mark and make sure that we’re trying to show what we want to do in the future as well.

“Because European football, that’s something that we want to be out and challenge, and make sure we can be one of the top teams. Like I said, we’re building the foundation right now and that’s something we want to progress to, and make history, if I can say that.”

Celtic Team New

Elena Sadiku confirmed to the media that Chloe Logan, Luana Muñoz and Chloe Craig did not travel with the squad.

Kit Loferski on the ball

Kit Loferski made her return recently and could likely be named in the starting lineup for this tie. Amy Richardson could make the bench for the first time in a competitive game since arriving at the Celts.

Celtic Captain’s View

Kelly Clark also spoke to the media, including The Celtic Star, ahead of their Champions League opener. She said: “I think if we’d have won on Friday, the hunger going into this game would’ve been the exact same as a Celtic player.

“As a Celtic squad, you want to win every single game that you play in. Whether that’s against Hibs or in the Scottish Cup against a team a couple of divisions below us. Whether that’s in the Champions League, it doesn’t matter. You’ve got to be hungry to win and if you’re not hungry to win, then you don’t deserve to be in a Celtic jersey.

Erin Clachers of Hibernian gets caught out with a back pass and is instantly under pressure from Amy Gallacher of Celtic during the ScottishPower Womens Premier League 2024/25 Season. Celtic vs Hibernian. 30/08/2024. Photo: Colin Poultney/SWPL

“I think if we can put in good performances [in the Champions League], probably similar to how we did last year, I thought both performances in the Champions League were good last year. I know we went out in the end but the performances were good. And when you’re playing in the Champions League, no matter who you’re playing against, there’s just no easy game. It’s the Champions League for a reason.

“You’re going to test yourself against very good opposition and take the good performances against very good opposition back to the league, and make sure that you continue and you grow on them.”

Match Officials

Belgian referee Jana Van Laere is the referee for this tie. She is assisted by Melissa Lejear and Tamara Došen. Merima Čelik has been named as the fourth official. Not sure it there’s going to be VAR, we’ll find out tomorrow morning!

Kick-off Time

KuPS vs Celtic FC Women kicks off at 10am Celtic Park time.

Where to Watch

You can watch the UWCL match between KuPS and Celtic FC Women HERE. It is €5 PPV. Rather disappointingly the match is NOT available on Celtic TV, either in Britain and Ireland or around the World.

Score Prediction

KuPS 0 – 1 Celtic for me . I’m hopeful of a victory in our first Champions League game of the season. Although this is bound to be an incredibly difficult game, I can see the Ghirls coming out on top. Our Editor reckons that the Ghirls will win this one 3-1, hope he’s right!

COYGIG!

Jessica Elliott

🗣️"This is us and this is what we stand for. Hopefully we can start tomorrow and show what a great team we are." 🎥 Elena Sadiku and Kelly Clark preview tomorrow's UEFA Women's Champions League qualifier clash with KuPs #CELKUPS I #CelticFC 🍀
– Tuesday, 3 September 2024

KuPS v Celtic, UWCL – Match Preview, Kick-off 10am Wednesday, Watch via PPV

Celtic FC Women play their first UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) game of the season against KuPS tomorrow (Wednesday), with the winner taking their place in the final of the Round One mini-tournament…