Celtic Women have completed the signing of midfielder Rachel Donaldson from Stirling University. A member of the current Scottish Women’s Students’ Squad, the 21-year old has played all of her football over the past 11 years for the same club.
Initially the club was Falkirk FC, but on winning promotion to the Scottish Women’s Premier League in 2015 became known as Stirling University.
She was a member of the side which won the Scottish Women’s Football League Division One to gain promotion and has been a fixture in their team ever since.
Rachel is studying Sports Science at the University and is in her final year. She has ambitions to take up a post as the sports scientist at a ‘big club’ in the future.
The player said: “I’ve joined Celtic to take up a new challenge. I’ve really enjoyed pre-season training – everything is done so professionally.
“The team captain, Kelly Clark, and I were neighbours when she stayed at the University, and I also know Heather Richards, who played for the University a couple of times – so I don’t feel like a stranger.”
Hoops’ manager, David Haley said: “Rachel has always been someone we have spoken about when discussing opposition teams’ threats and she was always seen as a danger, given her pace and ability to deliver dangerous crosses.
“Rachel’s pace is always a threat and we are hoping to be able to utilise this during games this coming season. Mostly, though, she is a good team-player and will work hard for the team.
“Any team is more dangerous when they have pace, and as long we can put Rachel in the correct situations then I’m confident we can get more goals into the team.
“Rachel has been great since coming into the squad and has integrated really successfully with the rest of the players. She is well known to the girls, so they are happy to see her sign for the club.”
Report & Picture: Celtic FC
