Fran Alonso arrived at Celtic as the Club’s SWPL team was taking its first steps into the world of professionalism.
With a footballing education as a coach as Ronald Koeman’s assistant at Everton and Southampton, and having also worked initially under Mauricio Pochettino, before moving with Koeman to Everton, Celtic’s new head coach has learned from the best. Alonso had also built up a reputation down south in his first role as a number one with FC Lewes, but it is fair to say Alonso was taking on his biggest challenge taking on the Celtic job, but the real confrontation came from, an unexpected source.
Having built his side for the challenge ahead, Celtic and Alonso started last season with a frankly astonishing last gasp win over 13 in a row league champions Glasgow City, courtesy of Captain Kelly Clark’s late, late winner.
On a storm battered K-Park, Alonso and his new side were laying down a marker for the season ahead and right from the off. Then came the pandemic, and after only just setting out the SWPL1 season, like the rest of Scottish football, the SWPL season saw a premature halt called to it. Some clubs in the men’s game looked on with envious eyes as the league was eventually called null and void.
From March until October Celtic did not play a competitive game. Then, on 18 October, this time away from home at Broadwood, Celtic started again and once more faced the might of Glasgow City.
It was a game where Fran Alonso and Celtic could not replicate the previous result. Glasgow City, who had started training and playing Champions League football before Celtic, showed that their fitness levels were greater than Celtic’s and emerged with a deserved 2-0 win. But it was clear from the encounter than whilst the Celts ran out of steam, from a tactical and technical perspective they were every bit a match for their opponents. They were to go on to prove just that.
This Sunday and live on the BBC, Celtic take on Forfar Farmington at the K-Park Training Academy, in an encounter that will be only Celtic’s second home game this season.
Since that opening day defeat Celtic have gone on to put 10-in-a-row past Hearts without reply at the Oriam National Performance Centre, in a display off all out attacking flair and clinical finishing, before having to face up to a Spartans side who didn’t just park the bus, they brought a double decker and planted it in front of the goal at K-Park.
From that free-flowing Hearts encounter, Fran Alonso had to find a different tactical approach and the patient probing, passing game, whilst always mindful to the Spartans threat on the counter, paid off as Celtic emerged victorious thanks to a solitary Sarah Ewens goal after pressuring Bobbie Beveridge and deflecting her clearance back into the net.
It was a tactical display that was to be turned on its head next time out. This time Fran Alonso had to be ready for his team to operate the low block and spring on the counter attack as the Spaniard took his team to face a high spending theRangers team at theRangers Training Ground.
Once again Alonso had his team perfectly prepared on the park and played a blinder in the press in the build-up, happy to assume the underdog status while quietly confident his team could more than match their expensively assembled rivals. And that they did. Chloe Logan by now having a superb season between the sticks produced some crucial saves as Celtic slowly, surely and patiently bided their time.
They thought they had scored right at the death but is there a better way to win a Glasgow Derby away from home than with an injury time penalty? Probably not. Particularly when you’ve already had the ball in the net but it’s been disallowed as the penalty had apparently already been awarded. Honest Mistakes transcend all levels of Celtic FC it would appear.
But Summer Green was coolness personified as Celtic scored the penalty and consigned their rivals to a Beautiful Sunday defeat. It was of course a confidence inspiring win for Celtic but it was a match that was cementing Fran Alonso as the most tactically adaptable manager in the league and he had a team who could bend to the coach’s requests and it appeared to come easy.
But there was another challenge to come. A team with the reputation as the best passing team in the division and one who given an opportunity could take advantage of even the slightest of slip up in defence.
Celtic sent out a confident team to face Hibs in Edinburgh, fresh from that late, late win against theRangers. A victory may have been hoped for of course given the team’s form, but the 6-2 win that came about was certainly less expected. It was however more than welcomed as Celtic stormed to the top of the SWPL1.
Considering how that opening day at Broadwood had gone this was an incredible achievement for Alonso and the team. And yet they still weren’t satisfied. 5-1 up at the break both coach and players indicated a frustration in post-match interviews at the first half performance, a sign that not only were performances good, standards at Celtic were now being set very high.
Fran Alonso it appears has his team moving in the direction he feels they are capable of. Celtic’s head coach has an eye on the extra champion’s league place available to Scottish teams this season, yet you get the impression the Celtic head coach doesn’t feel the title itself would be beyond the reach of this Celtic team. His next task, given the current run of form, may be around keeping the players feet on the ground, but if his ability to focus minds matches his evidenced tactical acumen Celtic should have no problem is that regard.
Throughout this team Celtic have an abundance of class. Chloe Logan is as good as any ‘keeper in the division, while the central defensive partnership of Kelly Clark and Caitlin Hayes gives real solidity from which Alonso can build his team. Jodie Bartle has cemented her place too, while in in midfield Lisa Robertson alongside Natalie Ross give strength and guile.
Summer Green and Anita both supply no little amount of flair in attacking areas, and when you add the width and goal threats from the likes of the skilful Sarah Ewens and Rachel Donaldson, there is a spine to this team from which the technical ability in the side can flourish. There are also early signs that the home-grown Tegan Bowie can emerge as a match winner this season.
Ahead of Sunday’s tie with Forfar, Celtic having only played one home game sit only three points off the summit on 12 points compared to Glasgow City’s 15. However, it should be noted Celtic have played the rest of the top five already and all away from home.
It has been an impressive start to the SWPL1 season for Celtic, and Glasgow City will be keeping a close eye on the team on their tail. Fran Alonso has already shown he has the tactical nous to make a serious impact in the league his season, and the players have shown they are flexible in how they go about carrying out his game plans.
If for some reason you have yet to check in on Celtic in the SWPL1 this season, I’d recommend you do. Celtic are going places under the watchful eye of Fran Alonso; it’s been a fine season so far and the best may be yet to come.
Celtic play sixth placed Forfar Farmington at K-Park Training Academy on Sunday 6 December at 2pm. It is of course available to watch on the BBC Alba and the BBC Sport website.
Niall J
