Elena Sadiku hopes Celtic have the hunger for a Champions League return

Celtic boss Elena Sadiku hopes her side will be hungry for another crack at the Women’s Champions League as they prepare for a final home game of the group stages against Spanish giants Real Madrid at New Douglas Park.

The Ghirls have lost all four of their Group B games so far, including a 3-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge in their last European outing.

While Celtic’s hopes of progress to the quarter-finals are over and Real Madrid have already qualified, the Spanish side could still go on to secure top spot ahead of Chelsea, who they face in their last group fixture next week.

Sadiku – who saw her side beaten 4-0 in the away fixture at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano during October – insists there remains plenty left to play for as Celtic look towards establishing themselves at the top tier of European club football.

“Against Twente was an exception, because it was our first game and I think there were many nerves in the team, but throughout the competition, we have been growing,” the Swedish head coach said.

“The players have shown what quality players they are, and this experience is hopefully just going to make us go and be hungry to get here again.

“The players deserve to get something out of it as well, not only the experience.

“What it makes me feel like is that hunger, because next time we play Champions League, we are going to be even better, so hopefully that is what the players feel as well.

“It is that hunger of making it and making sure that we are going to experience it again, because next time we compete, we will be better, and this experience will help them learn a lot.”

Celtic are the first Scottish side to reach the group stage of the Women’s Champions League since it was introduced in 2020-21, having come through two qualifying ties before then seeing off Ukrainian outfit Vorskla Poltava 3-0 on aggregate.

The Ghirls finish up with a trip to Twente, who have lost all three games since their 2-0 win in Hamilton at the start of October.

Celtic midfielder Shannon McGregor feels ending the campaign with at least a point to show for their efforts would be just reward.

“For all the hard work we have put in, I think we deserve something. We have given everything we have got in every game,” the Scotland international said.

“Everyone says we have been defending well. Against Real Madrid and Chelsea we have played some really nice football, so hopefully we can do that again and get a point.”