Inside incredible football journey of Celtic Women star Jacynta from Man Utd to Napoli to dates with Carl Starfelt

IT might not be a name which trips off the tongue of most native Scottish speakers.

But Jacynta Galabadaarachchi is well on the way to becoming a household name in the world of Scottish football.

Jacynta has settled in Scotland

instagram/jacynta_galaBut her surname is too long for the Celtic shirt[/caption]

PAShe picked up the young player of the year trophy at the PFA Scotland awards[/caption]

Ange Postecoglou isn’t the only Celtic hero whose football journey was launched in Melbourne – with the 21-year-old – whose dad is Sri Lankan – born in the suburb of Dandenong.

She kicked off a career that would ultimately follow the Hoops boss to Scotland by following her brother kick a ball around.

Infact Postecoglou actually coached Jeremiah – but never Jacynta.

She admitted: “He coached my brother when he was 15 in the academy in Victoria, where I am from.

“I’ve not been coached by him but my brother was.”

Standing on the sidelines watching her sibling she joined in training one day and quite simply, never looked back.

Her rise from that under-eight side to Celtic stardom has been rapid.

It’s taken in southern Italy, London, Manchester and led to international recognition.

She challenged state rules banning her from playing with the boys in a story that sounds remarkably like Scotland legend Rose Reilly’s and eventually moved abroad to great success.

She overturned the domestic rule but three years later Galabadaarachchi moved to London aged 18 and signed for West Ham – but she had played in England even earlier and was already on the radar of several clubs.

She had been spotted by both Everton and Manchester United aged nine and offered a trial with the Red Devils there and then – and spent a further eight weeks training stint at Man City.

But back home she stepped up with their sister club in Melbourne, starred for the national Matildas then eventually caught the Hammers’ attention for a permanent transfer.

“That was a big deal for me. Leaving home and not being with my family anymore was a hard step. But I’m glad that I took it,” she told Sky Sports.

Kenny RamsayShe’s been battling Rangers and Glasgow City (pictured) at the top of the SWPL[/caption]

GettyShe shares the Oz connection with Hoops manager Ange Postecoglou[/caption]

They loaned her out to Napoli – another family connected move with her mum Rosemary also being half-Italian.

The other half is Argentinian and growing up, Jacynta idolised Lionel Messi and dreamed of following in his footsteps and making the grade in Europe.

She has, though not quite as far as Barcelona – yet.

Instead she’s become the big name – quite literally – in the Hoops Ladies squad.

It doesn’t even fit on the back of her jersey, but Jacynta insists it’s easy to say, “it just looks very intimidating”.

But she hasn’t been intimidated by making big calls throughout her career that have led her to Celtic Park.

She was crowned the team’s player of the season in her first spell in Scotland and hers was also the first name ever read out for the PFA Scotland Women’s Young player of the Year award earlier this month.

And after her globe-trotting she has settled in Scotland with some success – much like Postecoglou.

InstagramGlasgow has become home for the globe-trotting 21-year-old[/caption]

SNSThanks, in part, to a reported relationship with Carl Starfelt[/caption]

It’s a move that has also been aided by a member of the Hoops boss’ mens’ squad.

Her blossoming relationship with fellow Hoops star Carl Starfelt was outed by Sky Sports commentator Ian Crocker when the Swedish defender was spotted in the crowd at the Ladies Old Firm clash on Thursday.

Date night at Airdrie’s ground might not be as glamorous as the Nou Camp but she still dreams of Catalonia.

“Since I was watching Messi play at Barca, it’s been a dream of mine so it would be hard to say no even though I do love Celtic and the fans and the club.

“I think any player would dream to play at a club like that.”

Until then, the pair will form a unique Celtic power-couple across the SPFL and SWPL to rival Hibs husband and wife team Martin and Rachael Boyle.

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