Celtic boss Elena Sadiku has urged club chiefs to back the women’s team as they look to make a habit of Champions League football.
The Swede has appealed for more financial support, insisting her budget now is on the same level as Hibs and Hearts and is dwarfed by the resources of Glasgow City and Rangers. Sadiku made history with the Hoops last season by delivering the club’s first title and then led them into the group stage of the Champions League.
They failed to register a point in the group and Sadiku wants more cash to bolster her ranks. “We need more investment for the squad,” said the Swede. “We don’t have the biggest budget when it comes to players and that is something we need to increase. We need to make it more like Rangers and Glasgow City.
“Michael Nicholson and the board support me and the strategy we have but it will take time. Things are getting better and we are getting better staff and the structure is getting bigger. But we need more leaders and experienced players. To do that we need a higher budget when it comes to recruiting players who have experience, players we can’t afford today.
“Our budget is not much bigger than Hearts and Hibs which is part of the reason why it is getting closer. As a club we have to look at how we want to invest and how we want to grow.”
Celtic moved to the summit of the SWPL on Friday night after a thumping 8-0 win over Dundee United. Glasgow City can go back on top on goal difference with any kind of win over Montrose this afternoon and Jo Potter’s Rangers take on Aberdeen at Broadwood.
Grant Scott’s Hibs – level on points with Rangers with both teams five off the top – play Queen’s Park and Motherwell go up against Spartans. Fifth-placed Hearts take on Partick Thistle.