Celtic FC Women enjoyed an impressive start to the 2024/25 season, beating Dundee United 9-0 at home after raising the league flag in recognition of last season’s title triumph. Jenny Smith played her part in that historic success, and she was delighted to be in the starting XI last Saturday. Not only that, but she also netted her first goal of the campaign, scoring Celtic’s third on the stroke of half-time. The Hoops return to action this Sunday (August 18) when they play host to Glasgow City at the Albert Bartlett Stadium, Airdrie. And Smith is looking forward to facing one of the sides who will be challenging for the title this time around. Speaking ahead of Sunday’s game, she said: “The first game last weekend was a great feeling and it’s something I want to do – get on the scoresheet, and I think the game overall on Sunday was a very good performance and a good start. ‘In the first half we were maybe not as good as we could have been, but I think in the second half it really showed when we scored more goals.’ “We came in at half-time thinking we could have scored more goals, but we did that in the second half. “We’re going into the game against Glasgow City knowing what they did last season but with the players and the set-up they’ve got now being different, it’s just a case of us having an open mind about the game on Sunday.”The 22-year-old joined Celtic at the start of last season from Hearts and played in a more central midfield role. Now Elena Sadiku has switched her to a wing-back position, and she performed well down the right flank in the game against Dundee United. “I think it suits me better because I’m quite fast, and Elena does want the wing-backs to score more goals this season, and assisting as well,” she said. “We had a conversation about moving me to wing-back, and I sort of got transitioned last season but it was hard with the split, and it was hard to move position then. ‘But I’ve come into this season working hard and I think it showed on Sunday that I can compete for a starting place.’ “This year, especially, there’s a lot of competitiveness, but I think, especially for my position, there’s a lot of healthy competition. “If another player starts, you’re still egging them on to play and it’s good to have competition. “We’re all just happy for the starting line-up and I think as well, Elena could probably make a whole 11 changes in the game and it would be the same performance, so it just shows the talent. “It’s quite a quick transition to get everybody to play together, but I think the talent that Elena has brought in is really good, and having the likes of Hana and Luana back is great. “I know they’ve had a tough time being out so it’s just great to have them back on the pitch.”Upcoming FixturesCeltic Women Vs. Glasgow City Women – Wed, Aug 8th 2024, 18:20
Trending Now
