Celtic have 'enormous' Women's Champions League chance

Celtic person been handed "an tremendous opportunity" to go nan first Scottish broadside to scope nan Women's Champions League group stage, according to Scotland skipper Rachel Corsie.

The first-time Scottish champions connected Monday were drawn against Ukrainian counterparts Vorskla Poltava, 53 places supra them successful Uefa's co-efficient table, successful nan play-off round.

But they avoided Benfica, Roma, Slavia Prague, St Polten and Valerenga, each of whom are classed betwixt 10 and 17 successful Europe - good up of 29th-ranked Vorskla.

"I really consciousness excited for it because very often Scottish teams get a reliable draw," Aston Villa centre-half Corsie told BBC Scotland's Behind The Goals podcast.

"We're utilized to that. We emotion to consciousness difficult done-by. But this, legitimately, is arguably 1 of nan very favourable teams that they could person got."

Glasgow City person doubly reached nan quarter-finals, nan latest successful 2020, but nary Scottish broadside has reached nan 16-team group shape since it was established successful nan 2021-22 season.

Celtic were unseeded successful nan "champions path" conception of Monday's tie aft winning their qualifying mini-tournament for nan first clip successful 3 attempts.

Meanwhile, 3 top-20 clubs are guaranteed to miss retired from nan 5 "league path" ties.

Corsie pointed retired that erstwhile Scotland midfielder Kim Little's Arsenal, who are classed seventh and thumped Scottish Women's Premier League runners-up Rangers 6-0 successful qualifying past week, look a reliable crippled against 12th-ranked Swedes Hacken, while fourth-ranked Paris Saint-German look Juventus successful ninth.

Manchester City, who person Scotland goalkeeper Sandy MacIver successful their squad, will beryllium wary of Paris FC, contempt nan French broadside being classed 9 places beneath successful 20th, fixed they knocked Arsenal retired successful qualifying past season.

"Three of those six clubs won't progress," Corsie said. "And past you person Celtic, who've sewage a immense opportunity."

Corsie said you "can't disrespect" nan truth Vorskla are five-time champions of their home convention but added: "I massively dream Celtic put successful 2 immense performances and I think, if they do that, they will advancement and that would honestly beryllium awesome for nan Scottish game."

If they do, they will beryllium joining Sam Kerr's Bayern Munich and chap Scotland midfielder Erin Cuthbert's Chelsea, who automatically qualified for nan group shape arsenic champions of their respective countries on pinch reigning champions Barcelona and past season's runners-up, Lyon.

Meanwhile, Scotland midfielder Caroline Weir, who scored a double for Real Madrid past week connected her return from a twelvemonth retired done injury, besides has a awesome opportunity to beryllium playing successful nan group stage.

Spain's runners-up, who are classed eighth successful Europe, will beryllium beardown favourites to conclusion 74th-ranked Sporting Lisbon, whose squad includes erstwhile Celtic guardant Jacynta Galabadaarachchi.