Celtic head coach Elena Sadiku says juggling Champions League and domestic demands this season has been “very challenging”.

Sadiku credits the club with supporting her request for a bigger backroom staff to help cope with the increased workload.

The Scottish champions are at Stamford Bridge this evening, faced with the daunting task of trying to take their first group-stage point against a Chelsea side featuring Scotland forward Erin Cuthbert.

“Mostly I’ve learned, especially with this busy schedule – I don’t know how many games we’ve had since August but it’s a lot – with the structure that we have, with only me and another coach, with all these games, that it’s been very challenging,” said Sadiku.

“We’ve got in another coach and we’re bringing in another full-time physio. The structure needs to be bigger otherwise it’s very tough.

“I’ve learned a lot about how to manage the staff, how to manage the players, especially when it’s always recovery then matchday minus one. We’ve not been able to train and try to develop individually or collectively.

“It’s more about reminding the players about our principles and giving feedback on how to improve. For me at least, it doesn’t matter what it says on your back, it’s all about how you can control your thoughts.

“The togetherness within the team has been and is going to be very important for us now and for the remainder of the season.”

After losing 2-1 at home to Chelsea last week, the odds are stacked against Celtic being able to hold the side currently two points clear at the top of the Women’s Super League.

“We want to win. That’s our gameplan,” Sadiku said.

“I feel like the performances have been growing during the competition so hopefully we can get some points soon enough.

“What I’m expecting is a Chelsea who want to prove they’re much better than the last time we played. Our mindset is just to put together a great performance again.”