With the winter break now over for the Celtic FC Women’s squad, it’s quickly back to action as the Ghirls gear up for another trip to the capital on Sunday. The opening week of 2026 has seen the beginning of a new era for the Hoops, with Grant Scott taking charge after being appointed at the end of last year. The former Hibernian boss replaced Elena Sadiku and took his squad for training for the first time this week, with the Ghirls getting back into the routine following the winter break. For much of the squad, it will be the first time they have worked under the new Celtic Head Coach. However, for a few players, including Saoirse Noonan, it will be the second time they have played under Scott. The Irish striker was first managed by the Hoops manager during a spell down south with Durham and has now linked back up once more. Speaking to Celtic TV ahead of the Celts’ return to action this weekend, Noonan reflected on the first few days back and the appointment of the new Head Coach. She said: “It’s been brilliant to be back. It’s been nice and cold! But really enjoyable so far – it’s been nice to have Grant in and working. “Everyone has been working and are getting ready to go again for a big game at the weekend. “It’s always a change bringing in a new manager. Especially during January. But everyone is ready to go. “Off the back of a win as well, everyone wants to fight for their place as always. ‘So, it’s been refreshing and intense. But it’s been a good first week overall.’ “I worked with Grant at Durham for my first professional contract. So, it was nice to have a familiar face come in and show him how much I’ve grown. “Now, it’s just about getting back out there and to keep showing and proving myself on the pitch.”Scottish Cup action awaits the Ghirls this Sunday, with a trip to the capital on the horizon. And it will not only be a quick return to Meadowbank for Grant Scott, but also the Hoops, who faced the Leith side just before the winter break in their final match of 2025. It was a brilliant result and performance from Celtic that day, with Noonan scoring what ultimately turned out to be the winning goal of the game in a 2-1 win. The Ireland internationalist is expecting another tough match, but is looking forward to getting back out on the pitch. “Going to Edinburgh and playing against Hibs is always a huge game, and it’s really competitive,” she said. “So, to go into the winter break with a win against them was really important for us. “We’ll definitely be looking to carry that through now and get started with the games after the winter break in the second half of the season. ‘This is where it matters most now. We can only look forward and we play Hibs again.’ “This Sunday coming is going to be so important to win because no one is going to remember the last game if we don’t. “We need to carry that into the next game and the next game after that. Everyone’s fighting for positions and ready to go for Sunday. “It’ll be a little strange having a game against them again so quickly. But it’s a cup game, so things are always different in a cup game. “You just know you have to go for it I suppose from minute one. There is no kind of sitting back. “Playing a team before and after Christmas is a bit strange. You don’t really change much, but I’m sure it’s going to be a great game and a battle again.”FixturesHibernian Women Vs. Celtic FC Women – Sun, Jan 11th 2026, 13:00
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