Wishaw Press

It was easy to trade the Hoops forWell vision

- MARK PIRIE

Eddie Wolecki Black says it was an easy decision to leave Glasgow giants Celtic to make a return to Motherwell for the new SWPL1 era. Following league reconstruc­tion, the Steelwomen will go head-to-head with Glasgow City, Celtic and Rangers in the top flight this term. Wolecki Black made his return to Fir Park as Head of Women’s Football and to once again lead the first team after a year at the Hoops. Despite a successful term at Parkhead, the 54-year-old said he was keen to come back to Lanarkshir­e after the support he was shown during the unbeaten SWPL2 campaign in 2018. With the Old Firm splashing the cash and champions Glasgow City expecting to challenge for a 14th consecutiv­e title, the gaffer is hoping to build on last seasons third-bottom finish.

“It was quite an easy decision to make to leave Celtic because I really wanted to come back to Motherwell,” he said.

“I had a good relationsh­ip with the club with guys like Alan Burrows and had left the club on good terms.

“In Scottish football when Celtic come calling you have to take your chance, and Motherwell understood that.

“I managed to get Celtic to third in the league in a tough division so it wasn’t like I did badly, it was just a personal decision.”

He went on: “We will look to put the ambitions of the club to the players.

“As a club we obviously want to do better than last season.

“Last season we got to a semifinal and finished fifth out of eight.

“When I was here first time around we won the league and got promoted.

“Theaimhasg­ottobetogo­onebetter than last season I would imagine but the players can decide the levels we think we should be competing against.”

Hewenton:“WhenIwasat­Celtic,Iwas toldmybudg­etwouldbeh­alfamillio­n.As farasIunde­rstandit,Rangersare­running a budget of £1.2million.

“When you are going up against these types of budgets you have to think differentl­y and I’m hopeful that in the nextmonthw­ewillhaves­omeincredi­ble news to announce about our future as a club.”

Having impressed Wolecki Black in pre-season, Well will began their competitiv­e calendar with an SWPL Cup trip to Kilmarnock this weekend.

This is before their first league clash against Forfar Farmington.

The boss added: “We have strengthen­ed with some experience­d players who have played in SPL1.

“That will be a big help for the young players we have brought in.

“The recruitmen­t period is almost at an end and we are quite happy with the team we have here.

“Wearethefa­vouritesto­winourSWFL Cupgroupso­thatbrings­abitofpres­sure.”

He added: “Forfar have appointed a new manager and we expect them to be a good team this season,

“It’s up for us to make sure we do our job and play profession­ally.”

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 ??  ?? Return Eddie Wolecki Black said he was happy to leave Parkhead for Fir Park and the Motherwell Women’s side
Return Eddie Wolecki Black said he was happy to leave Parkhead for Fir Park and the Motherwell Women’s side
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