Celtic women’s team move to professional status for the first time

Celtic Women have moved to professional status following ‘significant investment’ from the club.

A number of existing players have been moved to professional contracts with new signings expected to be made in the coming weeks.

A new head coach and assistant coach for the team are also set to be appointed in the near future, with the season starting with a League Cup tie on February 9.

🍀⚪️ We are delighted to announce that @CelticFCWomen's first team is moving to professional status! 🙌 #COYGIG

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 7, 2020

Celtic finished third in SWPL1 last season under Eddie Wolecki Black, who left in December.

The announcement from Celtic follows Glasgow rivals Rangers in turning their women’s team professional, with the aim of competing with Glasgow City.

City have won 13 consecutive league titles.

Gordon Kaye, Celtic’s Head of Business Development said: “We are delighted to be leading the way in this area in Scotland and we are sure our move to professional status is one which will be hugely beneficial for the club and our players.

“Our new professional arrangement aims to provide the same opportunities for women wishing to play the game at all levels as we currently do for men – as a club famously open to all, this is hugely important to us.

“Building on recent progress, our objective will always be to aim higher and achieve more success and we believe our new professional status will allow us to do this.

“While we realise reaching the top spot in Scotland may not happen overnight, we always want to be the best in all we do and this is absolutely something we aspire to.

“It is a very exciting time for women’s football and we are delighted to be driving forward with these exciting new plans.”