Celtic FC Women 2022/23 – An Introduction

With the new season just a day away, Clare Wilde runs through your Celtic FC Women squad. 

Fran Alonso’s footballing philosophy is based heavily on fluidity on the pitch and values players with the adaptability to switch positions. It is always interesting to see how the team lines up and where he trusts his players to fit in against different opposition. 

We can also expect to see some new faces appearing this season from the Academy and are still waiting on possible new signings coming in and some contract confirmations still outstanding. 

This article will be updated as things develop and can be your refresher going into the new season or an introduction to the team if this is your first campaign following the team.

GOALKEEPERS 

#1 Chloe Logan 

26-year-old Chloe Logan has donned the gloves for Celtic since she signed in 2019. Coming up through the club youth system, she spent some time at Stirling University before returning to play in the Hoops. Sharing the goalkeeping duties with Rachael Johnstone, she made 14 appearances last season before suffering a devastating knee injury in an eventful game against Glasgow City in February that put her out of action for the rest of the season. She is not expected to be back in the side imminently as she continues her recovery but we are hoping to see her challenging for a place between the sticks as the season progresses.

#52 Rachael Johnstone

Originally from the Isle of Lewis and still only 18 years old, Rachael has become a regular starter between the sticks for Fran Alonso’s side. Most notably she was in goal for both Celtic’s cup victories last season against Glasgow City as well as getting her first call up to the Scottish Women’s National Team (SWNT). In 2021/22 she made a total of 18 appearances for Celtic and we expect to see more of her this season playing for the club she has supported her whole life. 

#17 Pamela Tajonar

The 37 year old Mexican international started playing football in Europe for Málaga in 2011 and comes to Celtic from Villareal in the Spanish Primera División. Most recently she has played with teams including Sevilla, Barcelona and Logroño. With Logroño in 2021 she reached the final of the Copa de la Reina having previously reached the final of UWCL in 2019 with Barcelona. Representing her country she has played in World Cups, Olympic Games, and Pan American Games bringing invaluable experience of top flight league and cup competition football.

DEFENCE 

#15 Kelly Clark 

Kelly is a stalwart in central defence but has been known to step up to midfield when required. Starting her career at Forfar Farmington, Kelly moved to Celtic in 2013 and has been Captain of Celtic FC Women since 2014. Last season she reached her 200 appearance milestone and is an integral part of the set up playing a major role in helping the team transition to professional status. She has also recently made appearances for Pedro Martinez Losa’s Scotland squad and you may also have seen her making appearances as a pundit on Celtic TV. 

#6 Chloe Craig 

One of the most versatile members of the squad, Chloe has filled in at central defence, full back and wing back. A lifelong Celtic fan, Celtic is the only club she has played for having been at the club since 2009. She has made well over 200 appearances and taken the role of vice-captain in previous seasons. Last season she also scored 9 goals, partly in her role as preferred penalty taker. 

#18 Caitlin Hayes 

Caitlin Hayes is your archetypal central defender who comes from a family of Celtic fans. Originally from Warrington, she started her football career at Manchester City, Manchester United and Everton before moving to the USA to play with Mississippi College. She then joined Cypriot club Barcelona FA where she was first able to experience Champions League football. She joined Celtic FC Women in September 2020 and has quickly become one of the leaders in the team from her central position. A tall, fearless player, she provides a great attacking option in the box from set pieces. She also notably scored Celtic’s first ever Champions League goal from the halfway line against Levante in August 2021. A leader on the pitch she is a strong contender this season for vice captain.

#2 Taylor Otto

Taylor Otto signs for Celtic from NWSL side Racing Louisville having been drafted in 2021 following success playing college football at the University of North Carolina. At nearly 5’10’’, the defensive midfielder looks like she might be able to provide cover at the back as well as another potential option in the box for set pieces and it will be interesting to see how and where she fits into Fran’s system.

#3 Claire O’Riordan

A new addition to Fran’s squad for the 22/23 season, the 27 year old comes from Duisburg where she helped them gain promotion back to the Bundesliga last season. The two footed, physical defender and Irish international looks to be a great addition to Fran’s side adding depth to the defence.

MIDFIELD

#10 Lisa Robertson 

As one of the first players to sign a professional contract with Celtic in 2020, Lisa was awarded SWPL1 player of the season in 2021 before making a loan move to WSL side Birmingham City. Returning this season to Celtic, she will add strength as a tenacious defensive midfielder who is skilled moving the ball forward to provide service for the more attack minded players in the side. At 30 years old she has a huge amount of experience playing in the Scottish top flight having previously been signed for both Hibs and Glasgow City. 

#5 Natalie Ross 

Another member of the squad with a huge amount of Scottish Premiership experience, 32-year-old Natalie Ross returns to the side having missed the entirety of last season through injury. In Celtic’s first professional season under Fran Alonso, however, she was a crucial part of the midfield in a team then went on to finish second in the league and achieve Champions League football for the first time. Despite being out of the playing squad she has been very much a part of the set up, supporting younger players and helping guide the team to success last season. 

#7 Amy Gallacher

Originally from Dundee, the new 23-year-old signing started her footballing career at Forfar Farmington before joining Hibs in 2017. She also comes with strong Celtic pedigree, her great-grandfather being Patsy Gallacher, one of the clubs leading goal-scorers who played for the club under Willie Maley between 1911 and 1925. Making over 100 appearances for Hibs, she also won cup medals as part of that team as well as scoring in Champions League football. Last season she bagged 11 goals for the Edinburgh club, making her the second top goalscorer, as well as providing the highest number of assists. She has also made 15 appearances for Scotland at U19 level, scoring four goals for her country. 

#22 Lucy Ashworth-Clifford

The 23-year-old, originally from Manchester, developed her football at Manchester United and Manchester City before moving to study and play at Lamar University in Texas. She then joined Lewes in January 2021 before signing for Celtic this summer. As a regular starter for Lewes last season she mostly played as a left sided midfielder. We also saw her make an appearance for Celtic on the wing against Rangers in the City of Glasgow Cup. 

#9 Shen Mengyu ‘Shen

Signing for Celtic from Shanghai Shengli, Shen became the first professional Chinese women’s footballer to sign for a UK club when she joined in July 2021. Still only 20-years-old, she has become a dynamic and integral part of the midfield. Her adaptability in playing out of position was highlighted in the Scottish Women’s Cup final in May where she shone as a wing back after the team went down to ten players early in the match. With 38 appearances under her belt for Celtic already we would expect to see a lot more of her this season. 

#28 Shen Menglu ‘Lu’

Celtic’s second Chinese signing joins the club for the 22/23 season. U19 international Shen Menglu started playing football in Europe when she was 19 for Portuguese side Sporting CP Futebol Feminino in July 2021. In January this year she moved to Atlético Ouriense from where she left to join Celtic. A left sided defensive midfielder, she looked impressive in her first outing in the Hoops as a trialist against Rangers in the City of Glasgow Cup where she was played out wide. 

#11 Liv Chance 

A New Zealand international, Liv has had a varied career including spells in Iceland, Australia and the English WSL and Championship. She came to Celtic in 2021 signing from W-League side Brisbane Roar in Australia and made an instant impact, adding dynamism and flair to the midfield. As an attacking midfielder she scored 9 goals for the club last season as well as 13 direct assists. She returns to Celtic duty for the season after a summer playing for her national team. 

#24 Tegan Bowie 

18-year-old Tegan broke into the first-team as a regular starter and substitute in season 2021/22. He pace on the wing and her ability to drive in behind the defence makes her a valuable wide player as part of a strong midfield, having also shown who can also cover at wing back. She also has the ability to score goals, putting three into the net against SWPL1 opposition last season. As a product of the Celtic Academy, she should be regarded as a good example to those coming up behind her looking to gain experience playing at the top level in Scotland, having signed her first professional contract with the club last year at the age of 17. 

#27 Tiree Burchill

Still only 17, Tiree spent the latter part of last season on loan at Hamilton Academical where she predominently played as a forward or attacking midfielder, Fran appears to see her role predominantly on the wing. Getting an unexpected start in the first match of the season against Hibs, she has clearly impressed in training and her pace and was instrumental in the first competetive goal of the season, moving the ball up the pitch to create for Jacynta. She also has Celtic heritage, her dad being Mark Burchill who made 50 appearances for the club between 1998 and 2001.

Maria McAneny

The 18 year old spent a productive last season on loan at Hearts and was nominated for PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year, finishing the season as their second highest goalscorer and player with the most number of assists. She rejoins this Celtic squad looking to secure her place as part of Fran’s attacking set up although it is yet to be seen in which role she will most regularly play and hopefully flourish.

ATTACK 

#10 Clarissa Larisey 

Canadian forward Clarissa joined the club last year from newly-crowned Icelandic champions Valur. Prior to that, the 23-year-old was another member of the squad who developed her football in the US college system, playing for the University of Memphis. With 10 goals in 31 appearances last season, she was the second top goalscorer in the team behind Charlie Wellings and has already put at least 8 goals past opposition teams in pre-season friendlies. 

#8 Jacynta Galabadaarachchi 

Last years POTY Jacynta has been with Celtic since early 2021 when she signed from West Ham after a brief spell with Napoli. The Australian attacker has also recently been selected for the Matildas as well as having a successful season in the Hoops. Skillful on the ball, she is a creative player who has flourished under Fran’s guidance with the highest number of assists last season for the club as well as five goals.

#19 Liv Fergusson

Signed for the new season from Coventry United, the 27 year old forward player has had a varied career starting out at Aston Villa before spells at Bristol City, Yeovil Town, Sheffield United and Leicester City. With Leicester she was part of the 2020/21 squad that won the FA Women’s Championship that secured them promotion to the WSL. Last season for Coventry United she mostly played as an attacking midfielder but comes to Celtic looking to help the forward line convert chances.