Lewis football ace Rachael Johnstone relishing battle for Celtic Women's number one spot

Isle of Lewis star Rachael, who turns 17 on March 2, made her only Celtic Women’s start in a 5-0 win at Motherwell Ladies on December 13. That was the last game the Hoops played before the league was stopped due to coronavirus restrictions, with Celtic third in the table with 16 points from seven games behind only leaders Rangers Women (18 points from seven games) and second placed Glasgow City (also 18 points from seven games).

If and when this season’s league returns, Rachael is raring to go.

She told the Stornoway Gazette: “I have good competition with Chloe, who is very good and works really hard in training.

"I think every second choice keeper’s goal is to try and make the number one jersey their own.

"Hopefully at one point I can but she works really hard for it."

Although at time of going to press it remained unclear what the criteria for resumption of women’s football would be – minor men’s leagues may play a reduced schedule of as little as 50 per cent of games when they return – Rachael would rather the 2020-21 season be completed.

She added: “I like the idea of finishing the season. But to be honest as long as we can get back playing to some degree then I’ll be happy.”

An announcement on whether this season can resume or not is likely after a Scottish FA review on March 1.