Celtic FC Women have appointed Grant Scott as their new manager after Elena Sadiku’s departure was announced yesterday afternoon…

Aberdeen Women v Hibernian Women Scottish Womens Premier League 1 16-12-2023. Hibernian Women Head Coach Grant Scott during the Scottish Womens Premier League 1 match between Aberdeen Women and Hibernian Women at Cormack Park, Aberdeen, on 16 December 2023. Photo Stephen Dobson PSI

The Celtic Board will pay compensation to Hibernian for the mid-season move but as Elena has already been confirmed as the new manager at her old club BK Häcken, they’ve probably paid Celtic more than they’ll be giving to the current SWPL1 Champions.

Rachael Boyle of Hibernian Women lifts the SWPL Trophy after the Scottish Women s Premier League match at Ibrox. Rangers 0-1 Hibernian. Photo Shutterstock

Appointed in April 2018 for his first spell at Hibs, Scott has number of achievements to his name. He guided the club to success by winning a domestic cup double in his initial season, and the following one, he took the Edinburgh side to the last 32 of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Hibs also retained the league cup.

Celtic confirmed the appointment saying: “Celtic Football Club can confirm that Grant Scott will be joining us as our new Head Coach as Elena Sadiku departs the Club to pursue a new opportunity. Welcome to Celtic, Grant!”

After roles at Glasgow City, St Johnstone and Durham, he returned to the capital in June 2023 for his second stint. After returning, he took Hibs to their first SWPL title in 18 years with a 1-0 victory over theRangers at Ibrox on the final day of last season.

Things could be looking up for Celtic after some disappointing recent seasons, including last one which saw us finish fourth under Sadiku.

theRangers Women v Hibernian Women, SWPL 1 at Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld on 22 December 2024: Hibernian head coach Grant Scott. Photo Alex Todd

Scott takes charge of a Celtic side level on points with Hearts and theRangers, and seven away from taking Glasgow City’s top spot.

Speaking to the official Celtic FC website about his arrival, Scott said: “It is a huge honour to join Celtic and I look forward to carrying on the great work at the club, to push on and bring even more success to Celtic.

“I’m excited to join at a time when the new Barrowfield Training Centre is giving our women’s team every opportunity to develop, providing the players and those coming through the academy with the best possible environment to train and come to work each day.

“I have experience of bringing success to clubs and, ultimately, this is what we will all strive for again, to ensure that Celtic can be at the very top of the women’s game.”

Scott will take charge of Celtic in their first match in the new year, when they face Motherwell away from home on 18 January. The first home match for the new manager will be against Montrose on 25 January, with a big test after that against Glasgow City.

Rachael Boyle of Hibernian Women lifts the SWPL Trophy after the Scottish Women s Premier League match at Ibrox. Rangers 0-1 Hibernian. Photo Shutterstock

Grant Scott will be well aware of the strengths and weaknesses in the Celtic squad and hopefully will have been given assurances that he’ll be backed in the January transfer window.

He has two major cup ties upcoming and the gap in the league is catchable, so like the last time Celtic FC Women changed managers ahead of Christmas, silverware could follow as a result.  The cup ties are a semi-final tie against theRangers in the Sky Sports League Cup and ironically enough a meeting with Hibs in the Women’s Scottish Cup both coming early in 2026.

Caitlin Hayes scores, Celtic v theRangers, 17 November 2024. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Maybe the first call he’ll be making is to Caitlin Hayes? It would make perfect sense…

Welcome to Celtic FC Women, Grant. Unfortunately we won’t get the chance to speak to you as we’ve been banned from media conferences from the club.

READ THIS…Title winning coach Elena Sadiku leaves Celtic to join BK Häcken

Jessica Elliott