Thw wait is over for Elena Sadiku and her squad as the 2025/26 SWPL season gets underway this weekend.

For Celtic, that means a trip to the capital on Sunday for a game against Hearts (KO: 1pm), and while it is a tough opening fixture, it’s also one that the Hoops are looking forward to.

In an interview ahead of the game, the Celtic FC Women’s Head Coach reflected on pre-season as a whole and the hard work the squad has put in over the last few weeks.

She said: “Our pre-season has been really good. The best part of it has been how the players have been taking all the information in.

'The growth we have made as a group and the quality in training has been really good. We have taken a lot from our friendlies too.'

“It’s not been an easy pre-season because we have obviously had players coming in at different times, but I’m really happy with how the players and the staff have been taking everything in and brought real positivity to pre-season.

“We have a positive feeling and that is important going into our first game of the season against Hearts.”

With the work in pre-season now complete, the Hoops have been spending this week gearing up for their trip to the capital.

Last campaign was a strong season for the Edinburgh side, with the Oriam proving a difficult venue to travel to for teams across the SWPL.

So it is a match which will offer up a very competitive opener for the Celts as they aim to get off to the best possible start.

She said: “It will be a good first game for us because straight away we are already playing against a good opponent.

“Hearts, with Eva Olid as manager, have shown that they want to be an attacking team that wants to have possession, find different ways of creating chances and has probably been the team that looks like us with how we want to play football

'So, we’re really excited to play against them because it’s a really good test already from the start.'

“That is something we need to look forward to and try to be the best we can to make sure that we can win the game.”

Join the Journey

With the 2025/26 season opener fast approaching, Celtic FC Women kick-off their season this Sunday with a trip to the capital.

The Ghirls won't have to wait long for their first home match though, as they take on Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park.

You can play your part by joining the journey, and supporting the Hoops with season tickets avaliable to buy online.

Buy Seaston Tickets now

Elena Sadiku reflects on pre-season ahead of SWPL league opener