🚨EXCLUSIVE: Celtic's title winning manager Elena Sadiku

Exclusive interview with Celtic FC Women manager Elena Sadiku on winning their first SWPL title.
SUSBCRIBE: @PLZSoccer
Transcript of Elena Sadiku interview:
You're surrounded here in the Celtic boardroom by all these momentous historical trophies and the history of the club. What does it mean to you to write a chapter into the modern entity that is Celtic?
It feels amazing to contribute and make sure that the club wins more trophies and titles. It means a lot because that's why I came here-to help out as much as possible. So yeah, very happy and very proud.
What did it mean to you, just once you had a chance to absorb it last night and get up this morning? What were your thoughts on it as you started to absorb it?
I still think it feels a bit surreal. Like, I know that we won, but it hasn't really sunk in yet. Yesterday, after the game, just being around the players, watching and enjoying how happy they are-it was just an amazing evening.
What has the feedback been from Sweden? Have you had people contacting you from back home to offer their congratulations?
Yeah, everybody from Sweden and everyone around the world that I know has been sending text messages. I still need to take my time to answer them.
Were your parents or anyone familiar at the game here?
Yes, I had some familiar faces here. They enjoyed every moment. It was really nice and there were some former players here as well watching the game. It was an incredible moment to share with everybody around.
I saw one of the celebration videos doing the rounds on social media. Can you talk us through that one?
I just remember that Lana came and she had a T-shirt and she said, 'Boss, this is for you.' And then, when I saw it, I put it on and took a lap with it. It was a good moment, and I still have it in the office. That’s something I’m going to put up on the wall.
You mentioned where the club goes next. The first big challenge will be Champions League football. Last term didn’t manage to get through the qualification points fairly. It's a challenge to get into the group stages. Is that your next big test?
When I came here, I signed for a project to take new steps and improve as a team and as a club in the women’s side. Our history is still short compared to the men’s, but I really believe we have something special going on now. We're not going to be content with just doing great; we need to work hard to keep the best team and bring in the best players we can to make something special out of it. Now that we have the chance of competing in Europe, we want to take that chance and do the best we can.
Between winning the title and the men's team winning their first title, it puts the club in a robust financial situation. Does that help you when it comes to investment in the women's side and your recruitment next summer?
I have big trust in the board and in Christy. I know I have the support I need, and together we're going to do some great things.
You mentioned that Brendan offered his congratulations last night. What about Peter Lawwell and Michael Nicholson? I know they were at the game too. What was their feedback last night?
They were just very happy. It’s nice to bring something like this to them because they’ve been here a long time. They were really happy for me, the players, and the staff. It was also nice to share that moment with them.
You came in halfway through a season in January. Do you feel this summer will give you an opportunity to put your own stamp on this team? Will it be your team rather than the team you inherited?
I think the team I came to has become a great team. When I arrived, it didn't feel like a big togetherness, but what we've done over the last four or five months has built a great team spirit. People have commented on how great the team is and the feeling around it. We need to keep building on that because it makes everything special. It will be nice to put more of my demands and standards in place and change some foundational aspects, adding more details that I haven't had time to implement yet. It’s going to be amazing to start fresh and look forward.
What have you learned about yourself in these past four or five months?
Being young and a female, it's not easy to prove yourself. I knew I was a good coach, a good leader, and a good person. I've learned to be adaptable to the players and to cherish treating them as people. I've grown close to the players by showing I care and want the best for them. That has had a big impact on the team, and it's something I’ll never stop doing.
You mentioned yesterday that this is only the beginning. What do you see as your plan now?
It's about continuing to work hard, making sure the players do the same, and sharing these moments. Winning trophies is what we want to do. We need to keep working hard, ensuring player development, winning games, and building something special to win more trophies.
#celticfc #womensfootball #scottishfootball

[@POD1888]

Thank you Elena for making it a perfect weekend 🎉 Well done to you and the Ghirl’s 🍾🍀💚

[@greavsie1967]

Congratulations well deserved 🍀🏆

[@johncameron7172]

Congratulations. Played some excellent football.

[@Boaby1962]

Comes across as such a humble and driven young woman. Well done Elena and the Ghirls clinching the title in dramatic style.

[@solarcturius8082]

Great interview, Elena has done a great job with the Ghirls, the future looks exciting, Come on you Ghirls in Green. ☘☘☘

[@johnwishart3851]

CONGRATULATIONS Elena and the Ghirls... well done !

[@paulmcewan8144]

Hail Hail the women Celtic 📢🇮🇳🫶🥇🏆🙌🙌😄👍👌

[@derekruairc334]

Grounded. HH Congrats. Fully deserved. The story widens and deepens. The history is there to admire. The future to come will be exciting. I have no doubt.

[@wimthetim1]

🍀

[@HughTrodden-mj2bv]

Ok call me a caveman if you like , can someone let me know when the GHIRLS team was formed , and btw GHIRLS , YOU are the CHAMPIONS OF SCOTLAND and CHAMPIONS NEVER HIDE THE CLUBS BADGE FOR ANYONE , especially the knuckle crunching , orange bastards in the SFA . From , THE GLASGOW CELTIC man , Johannesburg , South Africa . ( Oh and btw GHIRLS if I was 200 years younger I'd be rattling a few doors !!! .)