It comes as no surprise that Chelsea's Scottish midfielder Erin Cuthbert took to the press to discuss tonight's highly anticipated UEFA Champions League clash against Celtic in her native Glasgow.
Returning to her roots, Cuthbert aims to play a pivotal role as Chelsea seeks to extend an impressive European run. So far, the Blues have triumphed in both group matches, defeating Real Madrid on home soil and overcoming FC Twente in the Netherlands.
Currently, Sonia Bompastor's squad is sitting pretty at the top of Group B at the midway point of the group stage, while tonight's opponents languish in fourth, yet to tally a single point or goal in their inaugural Champions League journey.
With nearly eight years at Chelsea, Cuthbert is no stranger to representing the club on the European stage, and the chance to do so in her homeland is an opportunity she is embracing wholeheartedly. "For me, especially being Scottish and playing against a Scottish team in the Champions League is amazing," Cuthbert expressed at the pre-match briefing. "I'm sure Caroline Weir felt the same when she faced Celtic playing for Real Madrid. It’s such a momentous occasion, and I’m incredibly excited to play at Celtic Park.
"These matches deserve to be played in the grandest of venues. The buzz and excitement surrounding this fixture in Scotland is just fantastic."
It's well-known that Cuthbert grew up a die-hard Rangers fan, the traditional rivals of the team she faces tonight. When questioned about the potential for a frosty reception, her response was robust. "As a football player, receiving a hostile welcome is the best feeling ever," she declared. "I truly relish it.
"Having played at the Emirates countless times, we’re accustomed to the electric atmospheres of high-stakes matches where the home crowd tries to create an intimidating environment. If that's the case tonight, I'll enjoy it, but my main focus is to put my best foot forward."
Cuthbert stressed that scoring against Celtic would be deeply meaningful, though her primary allegiance lies with Chelsea in this instance. "It would mean a lot to score against Celtic, but more importantly, I’m here to secure the win for Chelsea, to top this group and move forward in the competition."
The fixtures are coming thick and fast for Cuthbert and her teammates, with this European encounter following quickly on the heels of their Women’s Super League victory away at Liverpool, and just three days before a pivotal clash against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
Nevertheless, Cuthbert is unfazed by the relentless schedule. She emphasized that such demands are par for the course for those competing at the apex of football. "I simply want to get on the pitch and play football," Cuthbert said. "I prefer to let my performance do the talking.
"I thrive on the challenge of playing three matches a week. Being at this club for so long, you have to accept that when you’re fighting on all fronts. Recovery, sleep, and rest are all crucial. But ultimately, I relish the chance to compete in significant games."
Cuthbert's Rise to Stardom
Erin Cuthbert's journey from kicking a ball in her Ayrshire back garden to becoming a Chelsea star is a testament to her unwavering dedication and talent. But, she will never forget her first love of football – Rangers.
Tonight's match at Celtic Park will be a nostalgic moment for Cuthbert, a time to reflect on her incredible journey, and to celebrate the incredible heights she has reached. Cuthbert began her career with Rangers before moving to Glasgow City and finally Chelsea in 2017.
Looking back, she admits playing in front of a potentially record crowd for a women's game in Scotland, even though she could be on the receiving end of a hostile welcome, is beyond anything she could have imagined as a young girl.
The Scotland playmaker stated ahead of tonight's Women's Champions League clash: "I left Scotland as a really young and naive 18-year-old girl who was just working in Morrison's and playing part-time football.
"This was beyond my wildest dreams.
"Playing for Chelsea as much as I have, I feel very lucky and privileged but for me, it's never about being settled.
"It's a moment to reflect how far I've come, but also how much work I've still got to do and how far I can go. I want to know where my ceiling is."
A New Era in Women's Champions League
Chelsea duo Zecira Musovic and Erin Cuthbert believe that the unpredictability and high level of competition in the Champions League will make Chelsea work harder ahead of facing Cuthbert's former local rivals Celtic.
Chelsea's Women's Super League (WSL) rivals Manchester City secured a shock 2-0 win over Barcelona last month, while Arsenal fell to a 5-2 humbling at the hands of Bayern Munich following a second-half hat trick from former Blue Pernille Harder.
The 26-year-old believes staying focused on the task at hand is pivotal to going far in the tournament. In the 2021-22 season, Chelsea were eliminated in the group stage after a heavy defeat to Wolfsburg. The season before, they reached the final for the first time, but suffered a 4-0 loss, this time to Barcelona. In the past two seasons, Chelsea advanced to the Champions League semifinals but were ultimately stopped by the Catalans, who went on to win the trophy each time.
Chelsea's next continental match-up is a former foe of Cuthbert, who played against Celtic during her time with Glasgow rivals Rangers. While Cuthbert is excited to see another Scottish team in the Champions League, she said her personal rivalry means she is even more eager to secure two wins against the side that has not picked up a point in the competition thus far.
Goalkeeper Musovic, who started both Champions League games so far, believes that the heightened competition only raises Chelsea's standards in pursuit of the trophy that eluded former manager Emma Hayes during her 12-year tenure at the club.
Cuthbert's Legacy in the Making
The midfielder returns to Scotland on Wednesday as Chelsea face Celtic in the Women's Champions League. Cuthbert, 26, has made more than 130 appearances for Chelsea and is an integral part of Sonia Bompastor's squad.
On how she has developed since leaving Glasgow, Cuthbert said: “I left as a really young, naive 18-year-old girl who was just working in Morrisons and playing part-time.
“This was beyond my wildest dreams playing as much as I have for Chelsea. I feel really lucky and privileged but it’s never about being settled.
“It’s a moment to reflect on how far I have come, but also how much work I have still got to do. I am still learning, I still feel I have got more in my game, I still feel I have got more to come and I want to see where my ceiling is.”
As Cuthbert steps onto the pitch at Celtic Park, she will carry the hopes and dreams of countless young girls who aspire to follow in her footsteps. Her journey from a small-town girl with a passion for football to a global star is a testament to her talent, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the beautiful game.
The match promises to be a thrilling affair, with Cuthbert's passion and dedication set to ignite the stadium. It will be a night of footballing spectacle and a moment of reflection for one of Scotland's most celebrated female footballers.
