The highlight of the weekend for Celtic fans watching games on television undoubtedly was the ruthless performance by the Celtic FC Women’s side at Ainslie Park on Friday night against a very good Hibs side who clearly fancied their chances.
It was a tactical masterclass from the Celtic manager Fran Alonso as his side soaked up the early Hibs pressure and continually hit them hard on the counter attack with some outstanding finishing that left Hibs punch drunk at the interval with the game already over as a contest.
No action for us this afternoon after Friday night’s excitement!
Edinburgh’s turning into a real happy hunting ground for the Hoops this season 🤩
📸 @cdsportsmedia pic.twitter.com/wMUnfkFOZE
— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) November 22, 2020
It was 5-1 at the break with both sides adding a goal apiece in the second forty-five minutes which must have been torture for the Hibs team especially in this wet and wild wintery conditions.
Alonso reflected afterwards on a job well done, and one that incidentally took them to the top of the table for the first time this season. Glasgow City’s subsequent win over Hearts yesterday afternoon restored their advantage but the current Champions now know that Celtic are their main title contenders.
“I am delighted with the result, delighted with the 6-2 result,” the Celtic manager told the official Celtic website. “I think Hibernian played well in the first-half. We prepared for multiple scenarios. They were very aggressive in the first-half. We were clinical and clever in that period but the performance wasn’t good so we had to talk that over at half-time. I am delighted with our second-half performance.
“We have played Hibs, (the)Rangers and Glasgow City, all away from home, and we have got 12 points out of 15 so far. So it has been a perfect month for us,” Alonso said. “The girls are happy because we are top of the league, but we must not think about that. We have to keep going, our next game is Forfar Farmington on December 6th, so that is our next focus.
“This was a difficult three points, not everyone will get that at Hibernian, but we did. We push the girls so hard in training and their response has been superb. Their job is to make things difficult for the manager and they are doing that,” the Celtic gaffer added.
Manager Alonso heaps praise on his clinical Celts 💪https://t.co/Kwd3gFGVQk
📸: Craig Doyle
— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) November 23, 2020
Fran was also delighted with his Spanish compatriot Anita who scored twice, one being almost Larssoneque in its execution! “Really happy with Anita getting two goals. But, I am happy with all the team. Our success will come from our hard work.
“One of the goals was outstanding and it came from good build up play, so, we are delighted not with one or two individuals, but with everyone involved,” the Celtic manager added.
After playing Glasgow City, Hearts the Rangers and Hibs all away from home with only one home game so far this season (against Spartans), the Celtic FC Women side will have to wait until Sunday 6 December for their next SWPL 1 match. At 2pm that afternoon Forfar Farmington will be the visitors to K-Park and Celtic will be looking to pick up another 3 points to make it 5 wins in a row. COYGIG…
➕3️⃣ points from friday night.
Looking forward to the next game. #MonTheHoops 🍀💚 pic.twitter.com/BBxaJdSYPL— Anita Marcos (@anitamarcos09) November 21, 2020
What a result last night @CelticFCWomen 🍀💚 proud of this team!! & delighted to get 90 minutes under my belt for the first time since March 🙏🏼
— Sarah Ewens (@sarahewens19) November 21, 2020
Here’s the table as it stands as the women’s game heads into its own international break.
