Celtic Women's Football Team Made History - Meritking News

Celtic Make History as First Scottish Team to Qualify for Women’s Champions League Group Stage

Celtic has made history by becoming the first Scottish side to qualify for the Women’s Champions League group stage since the competition’s current format was introduced in the 2020-21 season. A 1-0 lead from the first leg was extended with headers from Emma Lawton and Shannon McGregor, sealing a comprehensive win over Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava.

In a tense opening half at the Albert Bartlett Stadium, neither team managed to excite the crowd much. However, Emma Lawton, a late addition to Elena Sadiku’s starting lineup, stood out with her performances on the wing. Celtic’s best opportunity before halftime came when Lucy Ashworth-Clifford fired a shot wide on the rebound.

Celtic Turn Up the Pressure After the Break

The second half saw Celtic take control. Amy Gallacher spun around her marker and curled a shot just wide as the hosts piled on the pressure. The breakthrough came in the 52nd minute when Lawton, making her first European start, rose to meet Ashworth-Clifford’s cross with a towering header to make it 1-0 on the night.

Shannon McGregor doubled Celtic’s lead soon after, heading in powerfully from a Murphy Agnew delivery, and all but confirming Celtic’s place in the group stage of the competition.

A Historic Night Capped by a Clean Sheet

Despite a late push from Vorskla forward Viktoriia Radionova, who was denied by a Maria McAneny block and later shot just over the bar, Celtic held firm to secure a clean sheet and advance 3-0 on aggregate. It was a historic night for the team and Scottish women’s football as a whole.

Looking Ahead to the Group Stage

Celtic will find out their group stage opponents during Friday’s lunchtime draw. Although they are the first Scottish team to reach this phase in the current format of the Women’s Champions League, Glasgow City previously reached the quarter-finals twice under the former knockout structure.

Celtic’s achievement marks a significant milestone for the club and sets the stage for a thrilling group stage campaign in the top tier of European women’s football.