Casey Howe Thrives at Celtic After Remarkable Football Journey

From Maguiresbridge to Celtic, Casey Howe has already packed plenty into a career that has taken her across the UK and Ireland – but her latest chapter may be the most exciting yet.

A Northern Ireland debut at 17, a treble-winning season with Glentoran, a move to Nottingham Forest, and promotion with Wolves have all helped shape the County Fermanagh native, who is now testing herself at one of the biggest clubs in Scottish women’s football.

The 23-year-old got off the mark for Celtic on just her second appearance for the club last Sunday, with a beautiful left-footed curler that finally broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute of an eventual 3-0 win over Montrose in the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL).

“Being just a young girl from Maguiresbridge, it is pretty surreal to do this,” Howe told BBC Sport NI.

The road to the state-of-the-art training centre at Barrowfield in the East End of Glasgow was one paved with long journeys, family sacrifice, and a belief that one day she could reach the highest level.

Her parents drove her to Ballinamallard, Cookstown, and Belfast four or five days a week as the fleet-footed forward progressed through the ranks.

“They wanted to give me the best platform to be the best I can,” she said.

“They were massive in enabling me to take these opportunities and get these opportunities because if it wasn’t for them sacrificing a lot of driving, a lot of miles, I wouldn’t be here.”

Those sacrifices helped Howe progress at home before opportunities abroad began to emerge.

Following spells with Linfield, Glentoran, and Sligo Rovers, a prolific period at Athlone Town in the League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division caught the eye across the water.

Now, at Celtic, she believes she has found the environment to take her game to another level.

“I think as a player, you’re always looking to develop in any training session.

“It’s definitely a big improvement tactically, and we’re adapting to different styles, getting used to how Grant Scott (Celtic head coach) wants us to play, so we’re always adapting tactically and keeping on top of the technical stuff.”

Celtic’s attacking approach is particularly appealing to Howe, with the 14-cap international relishing the chance to express herself in the final third.

“We’re trying to play a nice attacking brand of football, and as an attacker myself, that’s the way you want to play and want to be a part of, is when you’re attacking and playing free-flowing football.

“I think that’s when you get the best out of people, is when you have that freedom to go forward and make different runs, make different movements, and dribble and drive at people so it’s definitely perfect for the way I like to play.”

It’s an approach that Howe believes brings the best out of her.

“I’ve played under people in the past where it’s almost robotic. You have to do this movement, that movement, but to have the freedom to be allowed to run into different areas or make different movements, it just makes for an all-round performance, team-wise, because everyone’s moving.

“It makes it difficult to play against, so it definitely gives you confidence as a player.

“I think you’re being backed to do that, and you’re being allowed to do that. It definitely gives you confidence.”

Howe has earned 14 caps for Northern Ireland [Getty Images]

‘I want to leave NI shirt in better place’

The connection to home runs deep, and Howe knows first-hand the challenges young footballers from her own county and elsewhere in Northern Ireland can face in trying to make their way in the game.

“I think sometimes it’s hard because being from Fermanagh you don’t necessarily have the facilities on your doorstep,” she explained.

“A lot of the time, a lot of girls, even young girls now, will still have to travel up and down.”

The long drives were familiar to Howe and her family, but she believes every mile is worth it when it leads to success.

“All the sacrifices, as we spoke about earlier, like, winning makes it all worth it.”

Her development at Celtic could also have benefits for Northern Ireland.

Howe’s ambitions extend beyond what she can achieve at club level, with a desire to help build on the progress made by the national team since she first pulled on the green jersey.

“I want to leave the Northern Ireland shirt in a better place than when I came in.

“I always want that legacy to continue to build and grow.”

That sense of responsibility extends to the next generation, with Howe keen to show young girls back home that a career in football is possible.

“If I can leave women’s football in Northern Ireland, in Scotland, in England that 1% better than when I joined it – that’s a win for me and if that inspires young girls in Fermanagh to push on and know that there is a path there then that’s good enough for me,” she said.

From the drives out of Fermanagh in pursuit of football to making her mark at Celtic, Howe has already come a long way from her days at Ballinamallard United.

But with trophies to chase, a Northern Ireland legacy to build, and young girls back home watching on, there is still plenty of road left to travel.

From Maguiresbridge to Celtic, Casey Howe has already packed plenty into a career that has taken her across the UK and Ireland – but her latest chapter may be the most exciting yet.

A Northern Ireland debut at 17, a treble-winning season with Glentoran, a move to Nottingham Forest and promotion with Wolves have all helped shape the County Fermanagh native, who is now testing herself at one of the biggest clubs in Scottish women’s football.

“Being just a young girl from Maguiresbridge, it is pretty surreal to do this,” Howe told BBC Sport NI.

The road to the state-of-the-art training centre at Barrowfield in the East End of Glasgow was one paved with long journeys, family sacrifice and a belief that one day she could reach the highest level.

Her parents drove her to Ballinamallard, Cookstown and Belfast four or five days a week as the fleet-footed forward progressed through the ranks.

“They wanted to give me the best platform to be the best I can,” she said.

“They were massive in enabling me to take these opportunities and get these opportunities because if it wasn’t for them sacrificing a lot of driving, a lot of miles, I wouldn’t be here.”

Those sacrifices helped Howe progress at home before opportunities abroad began to emerge.

Following spells with Linfield, Glentoran and Sligo Rovers, a prolific period at Athlone Town in the League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division caught the eye across the water.

Now, at Celtic, she believes she has found the environment to take her game to another level.

“I think as a player, you’re always looking to develop in any training session.

Celtic’s attacking approach is particularly appealing to Howe, with the 14-cap international relishing the chance to express herself in the final third.

It’s an approach that Howe believes brings the best out of her.

“It makes it difficult to play against, so it definitely gives you confidence as a player.

“I think you’re being backed to do that, and you’re being allowed to do that. It definitely gives you confidence.”

Casey Howe — Howe has earned 14 caps for Northern Ireland [Getty Images]