American dream for Celtic

IF Celtic’s two new American signings play as well as they talk, they will add considerable value to the side which finished third in SWPL1 last season.

Having met both at Celtic Park on Friday morning they were genuinely excited to be at the club and desperate to get game time against Glasgow City this afternoon. Neither strikes as being the type who will shirk from a challenge – even when they discover East Kilbride’s K-Park lacks the grandeur of Celtic’s iconic stadium.

Central defender Jaclyn Poucel, from Pennsylvania, made her mark as a leader and organiser at the pair’s first training session on Thursday.

Video footage from America confirms her to be a physically strong player with good awareness who likes to initiate attacks.

Holding midfielder Darcy McFarlane, who at 22 is a year younger and from California, is not so tall but says: “I’m very good in the air and pretty fearless going in for headers and tackles. I’ll win the ball and keep the ball for the team – and make things happen that way.”

It remains to be seen if either or both will start today. Celtic manager David Haley says they are fit enough, but because of the unfamiliarity factor may decide to start at least one of them on the bench. THREE Scotland internationalists are likely to be involved in Champions League quarter final games this week. Lisa Evans’ Bayern Munich have an enticing home tie against Paris SaintGermain, while Jen Beattie and Jane Ross are at Fortuna Hjorring with Manchester City.

Not so lucky is another Scotland squad player, Rachel Harrison. Fortuna’s No 1 goalkeeper Maria Christensen has returned from injury earlier than expected and will play.