Celtic fans have been urged to turn up in their numbers to cheer the team over the line in the SWPL title race.
Elena Sadiku’s side are level on points with arch-rivals Rangers at the top of the table. Just four games remain of the domestic league season, with the sides meeting for a do-or-die clash on Monday lunchtime.
Some disappointment has been aired among the Celtic faithful at the lack of fans who turned up to Hampden last weekend for the Scottish Cup semi-final against Jo Potter’s side.
The record attendance for a SWPL game remains 15,822 at Celtic Park as the Hoops faced Hearts on the final day of the 2022/23 season.
And with the club chasing its first women’s title in the coming weeks, Sadiku has told fans that they should be supporting her side.
"I feel like with the fanbase that Celtic has more people should be here and support,” the 30-year-old admitted. “When it comes to history, yes, we can be the first team to win the league [for Celtic] but also if we win the men's and the women's title as a club then we write history.
“As a fan, I think you should support that. The girls deserve it. The players deserve the best and the fans are a big part of what the players feel.
“I always want the best for the girls so I want more and I want the fans to support us because they deserve it.”
Pushed on whether her team deserves more support, she added: "I can't answer that. There is a lot of things that we can do but also it comes to fans taking the responsibility to show up. We have incredible fans that we see every weekend.
“It makes my heart grow as they are the best fans ever and they shout and support. But in the end, it comes to people showing up and I hope to see more and more.”
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When it comes to additions, another area where Sadiku could be doing with more is in the budget department.
It was highlighted that Celtic is awash with cash at the minute thanks to some savvy business decisions by Peter Lawwell & Co. with around £70m in the bank. Yet despite their pretty deep pockets, the budget for the women’s side is lacking compared to that of Rangers.
The Swede admits she would love to have more fund available this summer, however, the recruitment process for the new season is already well underway.
“It’s a good question,” she replied. “Obviously, we have some recruitment going on right now. Hopefully, we get some signings closed soon enough.
“For me, it’s about trying to focus on just now, because this is very important what we have ahead. Hopefully, we get some good signing in the summer and we keep the place that we want to keep. That’s something you’ll get to know very soon.”
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