SIETE MAGNIFICAS - ANITA MARCOS

Celtic’s new signing is one of Europe’s top players, and she’s delighted to be wearing the green and white Hoops

- PAUL CUDDIHY

THERE are certain numbers which are synonymous with clubs and players and, for Celtic, the No.7 is an iconic one, inextricably linked to two of the club’s greatest ever players – Jimmy Johnstone and Henrik Larsson.

So for any new player arriving at the club, it is a significant choice, one that brings with it a weight of expectation and anticipation.

Celtic’s new Spanish striker, Anita Marcos, is happy to shoulder those expectations, and in receiving a crash course in Hoops history, she’s delighted to have the No.7 jersey for the 2020 season.

The 19-year-old has joined the Celtic women’s team on loan from Atletico Madrid. It’s a signing coup for the Hoops, with her new manager, Fran Alonso, declaring that she has the best CV in European football for a 19-year-old, and both the club and the player are confident it will be a mutually beneficial partnership.

Certainly, the striker got her Celtic career off to the best possible start as she helped the Hoops to a 2-1 win over reigning champions, Glasgow City, last Friday night in the opening league fixture of the 2020 season.

Speaking to the Celtic View, the player, who has ‘ANITA 7’ emblazoned on the back of her Hoops jersey, explained: “I’m very happy because, for me, it’s a very good opportunity. I took this decision to come to Celtic because I want to grow and I want to win things with this club.

“I watch a lot of football so I know Celtic is a very big club. I’ve watched the games and I can see the passion, which is awesome.