Swap the disco lights for the less celebrated New Douglas Park floodlights, throw in the plastic pitch for the expensive hybrid one and a smattering of youngsters for atmospheric purposes.
It’s not just in prize money where the UEFA Women’s Champions League feels like the fizzy wine next to the champagne of the men’s tournament, Europe’s premier club competition in revenue as well as prestige.
Indeed, there is an argument to say that Celtic’s participation in this year’s format could actually cost the club when all is counted up and paid out.
An opening game against Dutch champions Twente, lithe, athletic, technical and as speedy of thought as they were of movement, ended in a 2-0 defeat for Elena Sadiku’s side as they took their inaugural bow on this stage on Tuesday evening.
After this afternoon’s game against Hearts they are on a chartered flight to Spain for Thursday night’s game against Real Madrid. In a group that also contains Chelsea, it is difficult to see just where Celtic might pick up the €50k bonus they would get for a win in their campaign.
Should they manage to pick up a share of the points along the way it will bolster their funds by €17,500. By virtue of making it to the group stages, the club will benefit to the tune of €400k.
In any business sense, it would be difficult to argue that it can significantly alter the finances around the club. Add to the mix that there is a very real chance that it may interfere with Celtic’s domestic schedule – they now face a demanding run of games as they balance the Champions League with domestic commitments – which, in a league as tight as the SWPL, could prove exacting.
And yet despite the challenges that being in the tournament presents there remains a compelling argument to be made that being around the last 16 of the Champions League and rubbing shoulders with the cream of European football can only be a long-term benefit.
With UEFA and FIFA both committed to long-term strategies to bolster women’s football across the next decade as they look to bring more lucrative commercial partners on board, the tournament is predicted to steadily grow in terms of structure and financial gain.
Being in and involved at this stage not only helps to put Celtic in elite company but also reflects well on the SWPL. Hibs and Glasgow City, of course, have long flown the flag for Scottish teams in Europe with the Petershill side twice making it to the quarter-finals, a feat that came before UEFA overhauled the structure of the women’s Champions League to make it mirror the format of the men’s tournament (before it too was shaken up this season.)
This is the first time that Scotland have had a representative in the tournament since that 2021 rejuvenation.
On initial evidence, it could be a fairly sobering experience as a close up view is offered of just how far behind Scotland lack in terms of the progress that has been made in the women’s game in different countries.
This has been reflected too in the fortunes of the national side who have not qualified for the last two major international tournaments.
Sadiku suggested in her immediate post-match briefing that competing with the top 16 in Europe was always going to be fairly daunting for Celtic and there is no escaping the chasm in quality.
What they learn from it, though, could be pivotal in shaping in the outlook for future seasons.
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AND ANOTHER THING
Scotland defender Jenna Clark will run out at Anfield this afternoon as Liverpool take on Manchester City in the Women’s Super League. The 23-year-old – a Liverpool fan as a kid – will look to continue her education south of the border in another high profile game.
Clark played in 21 of Liverpool’s 22 WSL fixtures last season as the Anfield side took fourth spot, their best return since 2017.
Elsewhere, Caroline Weir will turn out in the Madrid derby this afternoon as Real take on Atletico with her ACL injury already looking as though it is firmly in the rearview mirror.
For Pedro Martinez Losa, and whoever is in charge of the women’s national team, having players performing in the top leagues around Europe is imperative to Scotland’s progression.
That is not to disparage the SWPL but the clear gap between professional and non-professional means that those at the top end of the table are tested when they are up against one another but rarely when they are playing part-time teams whose players are all juggling working commitments.
Exposure to elite level on a weekly basis is what help set the strong foundations of a team capable of delivering when it comes to getting back to qualification for major tournaments.
AND FINALLY
The Scottish Football Hall of Fame will look at female inductees for the 2024/25 season as it looks to celebrate the success stories of those who have made a positive impact on the game.
Out of 120 men, the Scottish Hall of Fame currently has only 2 females celebrated. Addressing that and offering recognition for the pioneers of the women’s game is a significant step in the right direction.
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