Since making her first visit to Hampden Park as a Hoops player last campaign, the National Stadium has proved to be a happy hunting ground for Celtic FC Women’s captain, Kelly Clark.

And the defender will be hoping that is the case once more as the Ghirls prepare to return to Hampden this weekend, for more Scottish Cup action.

Following her success there last season where they defeated Rangers in the final 2-0, Clark and her team-mates will return to the arena where they lifted the trophy in May 2023.

The same opposition lie in wait for the Celts, with a huge Glasgow derby against Rangers on the horizon this Saturday (April 27).

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s game, Clark is excited to mark her return to Hampden as a Celtic player, with another big match to look forward too as Elena Sadiku’s side aim to reach the finals of the competition for the third season running.

She said: “It’s always a buzz to be here at Hampden Park. The memories of the final last year are some of the best memories in football that I’ve got.

“Between the crowd, and the atmosphere that the crowd created and the performance that we put in.

‘It’s a very, very fond memory. So I love coming back, and it’s a bit different coming back to Hampden after that.’

“Before that, any of the best memories I had was coming to watch Celtic or Scotland. Now, when I come back, the first thing you remember is the feeling of total elation when that second goal went in and then when the final whistle went.

“These are the games you look forward to. I think it’s probably an emotion a lot of people won’t understand because everyone will think that it’s such a nervy game and there is pressure.

“But it’s the reason that you play football and play for a top side. The rivalry between the two teams is huge.

“To play at the National Stadium, in the fixture that it is, it’s a special occasion and one that any player that is involved in it cherishes.”

Kelly Clark: Returning to Hampden is always a special feeling