Speaking ahead of what will be a busy week for Celtic FC Women as they take on Hibs this Sunday before a trip to play Motherwell on Wednesday and then hosting Partick Thistle next weekend, manager Fran Alonso has claimed his side no longer fear playing any opposition.
This new confidence relates to their first experience in the champions league were they put in an excellent performance but ultimately got defeated by top Spanish side Levante.
The Celtic FC manager said at yesterday’s media conference attended by The Celtic Star Editor: “As a team, we don’t fear now as we competed against Levante, and in our minds we can compete against any team, as they are one of the best teams.
“So, we are not as afraid as we were in some of the bigger games maybe last year, although I have to say credit to the girls and to all of us as we are mentally very, very strong.
“The amount of games that we ended up winning or even drawing in the last 10 minutes of the game is something we are proud of.
“Facing these top teams makes us stronger, and although we totally respect Hibs, I think they are much better than they were last year – they have scored 31 goals in the last five games, that is to be respected – but we don’t fear them because we know we are good enough to beat them if we actually play our best football, of course.”
The Spaniard also took time to praise the home fans for helping cheer the team on while coming back from 2—0 down to draw with champions Glasgow City.
Alonso added: “It was so good, as obviously we didn’t play very well in the first half, we didn’t have any fluidity on the ball, it was an ugly game in the first half and they were the best team.
“We tried to change things at half-time and it was a high mountain to climb but the fans made us believe.They started to sing and when we lost the ball they would start to lift us up, it was massive.
“I love to play with a crowd and there was an amazing engagement between the team and the crowd and it really helped us out. We really feel them and we would love to see the same on Sunday. It definitely made us stronger.”
Good luck to the Celtic FC Women in what is due to be a testing week ahead and here’s to three wins on the bounce.!
Conall McGinty