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SWEDE SUCCESS

I nearly died from my last football injury, now I want to match Henrik Larsson and become Celtic’s Queen against Rangers

She's lucky to be alive

NEW CELTIC women’s manager Elena Sadiku will look to become the Queen of Queens as she seeks to emulate Hoops legend Henrik Larsson.

The Swedish coach was formally unveiled on Thursday afternoon with her first job as Fran Alonso’s successor being to try to dump Rangers out of the Sky Sports Cup semi-final on Friday night.

Celtic turned to Sweden to appoint new women's coach Elena Sadiku
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Celtic turned to Sweden to appoint new women's coach Elena SadikuCredit: Kenny Ramsay
Celtic legend Larsson was nicknamed the King of Kings
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Celtic legend Larsson was nicknamed the King of KingsCredit: Getty
Jo Potter's team are the top in the SWPL so far this term
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Jo Potter's team are the top in the SWPL so far this termCredit: Willie Vass

Jo Potter’s team are unbeaten so far this season but Sadiku has insisted that she is setting a high bar at the club.

“I have already read the history of this club and I am the first female head coach here,” she said.

“The next thing that would be amazing to do is to make another bit of history and win the league for this club. 

“That is what I want to dream about.

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“Henrik was my role model when he was young and playing at Celtic

“I know all about his time here. 

“Maybe I can become the Queen of Queens!”

Her opening weeks in charge could hardly get any tougher.

Up against a Rangers side who have been the team beat under Potter this season, her next game is up against reigning SWPL champions Glasgow City at Petershill. 

Despite the daunting nature of her first games in charge, Sadiku has embraced the challenge.

“It is our final tonight,” she said. 

“We win or lose. Lose we are out. It is a huge game to start with and I am really excited.

“I would rather be challenged than be comfortable. 

“We start with two of the best teams in the league and I am really excited.

“I like challenges. It is a great start.”

And Sadiku believes that her own experience where her playing career was cut short because of injury has helped to mould her into a better coach.

Still only 30, she had to hang up her boots at 23 after 13 operations on her knee.

“I had sepsis with the last injury and nearly died. That gave me a different appreciation and go away from football.

"When I stopped playing I was 23 and I was only thinking that I wanted to be the coach that I wanted to have had.

“I want to help players fulfil their dreams and that gave the strength and the passion.”

Larsson also had a stint in management in his homeland where he was Sadiku's role model
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Larsson also had a stint in management in his homeland where he was Sadiku's role modelCredit: AFP
Joey Barton has been blasted for his outspoken criticism of women's football and pundits
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Joey Barton has been blasted for his outspoken criticism of women's football and punditsCredit: PA
Gers coach Potter slammed the former Ibrox midfielder's views as 'irrelevant'
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Gers coach Potter slammed the former Ibrox midfielder's views as 'irrelevant'Credit: Alamy

Meanwhile, Rangers manager Jo Potter, who did some punditry work before going into full-time coaching, believes former Ibrox midfielder Joey Barton has become ‘laughable.’

“I try not to listen too much to it,” said Potter. “It becomes irrelevant.
He won’t get that much traction for that much longer. He keeps changing angles that he is going at every single time.

“For me, it is a little bit laughable. We can’t take that seriously.

“I don’t listen to anything he says and take it seriously.

“We need to concentrate on ignoring any negativity that comes along aimed at females in football because we have made so many strides that if we give him more airtime it is just feeding into what he wants.”

There has been nothing laughable about Rangers’ position this term under Potter as they have established themselves as the team to beat.

Potter’s side are undefeated and have not conceded a goal since November 5.

They are, as she accepted, in good shape ahead of tonight’s meeting.

“We are at the top of the table and we are there to be shot at,” said Potter.

“Everyone is chasing us. A little bit of pressure comes with that. They sometimes say it is easier to get there and harder to stay there but it is not been that easy to get there as there as good teams in this league.

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“We are nowhere where we want to be yet.

“The semi-final is a big test for us but I think we are ready.”

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