Jodie Bartle said the Celtic Women’s team are excited to return to competitive action, and the Hoops defender believes she and her team-mates are aiming to end Glasgow City’s dominance in the league.

The Scottish Women’s Premier League resumes this weekend and Celtic return to action with a derby against Glasgow City at the K-Park Training Academy in East Kilbride on Sunday (April 4). The Hoops recorded a 5-0 win over Motherwell in their last game back on December 13 and manager, Fran Alonso will be hoping his side can continue their strong start to the season with a win over City.

Celtic and Glasgow City met on the opening game of the season back in October and City, who had the advantage of a more thorough pre-season because of their involvement in the Champions League, ran out 2-0 winners. Celtic responded with a 10-0 over Hearts the following week and recorded four wins and one draw in the other games played before the league was temporarily suspended.

Bartle said this Sunday’s game will be hugely important for Celtic and added she and her team-mates are determined to make up for the disappointment in the season opener.

“This game is probably one of our biggest and because of everything that’s happened I think it’s even bigger than the first game of the season,” she said. “This is going to set a precedent.

"Everyone goes out wanting to win but I think, for us, we’re pushing for a Champions League spot and a league title and so are Glasgow City and Rangers. This weekend is such an important game and we’re buzzing. There’s a slightly different feeling in training this week because the tensions are rising with the game getting so close after us waiting for so long for it. We’re all buzzing to get going and I can’t wait.

'We lost last time out against them but won in the previous game so everyone is looking for a bit of revenge. We’re all eager to get out there and hopefully show what we can do and what we’ve been working towards.'

This season the SWPL has been granted two Champions League places and Celtic will be hopeful of qualifying for the tournament. Bartle said she believes the changes with the Celtic Women’s team will ensure the Hoops have a strong chance of not only taking one of the places but claiming the league title.

“With the investment, the pull of Fran and the pull of the players we have in the team, I think it shows the direction we want to go,” said Bartle. “In the recent transfer window we signed three international players. That shows the direction we want to be going and the calibre of player we’re attracting so we want to challenge.

“Glasgow City have been the only team for so many years but now with the investment, there’s so much more competition and it’s harder week-in-week-out. Every single game is so important."

Jodie Bartle says Hoops are determined to show their quality against Glasgow City