Scotland: Caroline Weir waxes lyrical at ‘amazing’ Celtic experience

Celtic are “putting Scotland on the map” by competing in this season’s Champions League, says Real Madrid’s Caroline Weir.

The Scotland midfielder returned to her homeland as her Spanish side ran out 3-0 winners against Celtic in Hamilton on matchday five of Europe’s elite competition.

It was a fifth consecutive defeat for the SWPL champions but Weir, who couldn’t mark her visit home with a goal, was full of praise for Elena Sadiku’s side.

“I watched Celtic through the qualifying process to get into the group stages, and I was buzzing for them,” the 29-year-old said.

“I think it’s so cool to have a Scottish team in the Champions League and I really wanted them in the draw. Then we got them, so it’s great for Celtic as a club, a big Scottish club, but also for the women’s game.

“It puts Scotland on the map by playing against some of the biggest names in Europe, so they’ve done so well to qualify and hopefully it’s the start of Scottish teams doing well in the Champions League and getting into the group stages.”

Weir could have done with a map as she admitted she faced “a few dead ends” when attempting to show her team-mates around Glasgow, but not even a wrong turn or two could shake her excitement at playing club football in Scotland.

“As a young kid growing up, I would have loved to come watch Celtic v Real Madrid, so to be part of it is amazing for me, my family and women’s sport in Scotland.”