Celtic boss Fran Alonso eyes Scottish Cup glory afternoon against the Rangers

When Fran Alonso and his Celtic side encounter adversity they regularly react strongly. As such assume all negative thoughts of Thursday night’s SWPL1 defeat to Glasgow City to be banished and expect a reaction from Celtic today, as they head into Scottish Cup action and a Glasgow Derby against big spending theRangers.

As Muhamaed Ali said ‘ain’t nothing wrong with going down, it’s staying down that’s wrong’ and this Celtic team rarely lay on the canvass, instead expect them to come out swinging again this afternoon.

In Cup football this season Celtic are already the top dogs in Scotland. They lifted the League Cup and Celtic’s first silverware in a decade in December and despatched previous holders Hibs and today’s opponents theRangers on the way to defeating 14 in a row Champions Glasgow City in the final.

There may be work to do when it comes to a young team’s consistency over the long course of a league campaign, but Celtic have proven in one off encounters they are more than a match for any opponent, and with theRangers having only tasted victory once over Celtic in Fran Alonso’s reign as Celtic head coach there won’t be a single player in the Hoops squad who won’t believe they can defeat their Glasgow rivals today.

Fran Alonso already believes this season is a success with the League Cup trophy win but has admitted the taste of that success will encourage his team to push for further Cup glory this afternoon –

“We like challenges – It’s going to be an extremely difficult game, but we will give our very best because we would love to be in another Cup Final”

For Celtic there are tough challenges to overcome, Chloe Craig who was victim of both a horrendous waist high tackle from Glasgow City’s Niamh Farrelly, and a lack of protection from a referee who simply allowed Glasgow City to substitute the player rather than issue the red card it warranted, will be a major doubt for this afternoon’s game, as despite playing on in the second half, Craig was clearly bloodied in the challenge and her movement was impaired during the second 45 minutes.

Not even a yellow…

Alonso admitted at his Media Conference on Friday that Chloe Craig was in a bad way after the game on Thursday night.

And Chloe Logan who appeared to injure her knee when leaving her penalty area to clear her lines and landing awkwardly , left the field in some distress with what looked a serious injury and as such is unlikely to play today.

There will also be concerns over top scorer Charlie Wellings who appeared less the 100% fit in the defeat to Glasgow City, however was removed from the play midway through the second half – as such there remains hope Celtic will be able to call on their 24-goal striker to lead the line this afternoon. She will be needed.

Charlie Wellings of Celtic Women FC

For Fran Alonso there may also have to be a tactical re-think ahead of today’s game. Despite reasons given post-match for his team selection as being down to a direct opponent who were strong in competing for second balls, and the rather strange assertion that a smaller pitch – the same ground Celtic had scored seven goals without reply against Partick Thistle – accounted for a cautious and physical line-up, that included Jodie Bartle at left wing back and Chloe Craig on the opposite flank, Celtic were caught out tactically by their opponents.

The changes meant Celtic instead were outnumbered in central midfield by an opponent who crowded that area of the pitch, and it may be worth considering more central defensive midfield protection to the defence instead of tall physical wing backs dropping back, by way of Tyler Toland returning to the side. This would allow Liv Chance to move to a more attacking position where her creativity can be put to better use, and allow Sarah Harkes and Toland to continue a partnership that had dovetailed well in the games prior to the Glasgow City encounter.

Maria Gros came off the bench against City but could start today against theRangers

Meanwhile offering some pace in wide area by returning Olafsdottir-Gros to the starting line-up today may at least give today’s opponents cause concerns in on the right flank, rather than the more static options decided upon in midweek, where City were happy to let Celtic have the ball knowing accurate deliveries, or an ability to beat a player, were unlikely to occur. If the size of the pitch was a concern on Thursday that will not be a problem on a far bigger surface at the Penny Cars stadium today.

Today’s opponents have only lost one domestic game all season and that came against Celtic in the League Cup. As such there will be doubt in our rivals’ minds when it comes to an away encounter against Celtic. It is therefore vital then that Celtic take the game to theRangers and try and get that first goal that would ramp up those doubts still further, and a fast start from Celtic, attacking with pacey options from wide areas, could do just that.

Chloe Logan (#1) of Celtic Women FC & Jodie Bartle (#3) of Celtic Women FC embrace following their 1-0 victory during the Scottish Women’s Premier League Cup quarter-final match between Rangers Women and Celtic Women at Rangers Football Academy, Glasgow, Scotland on 31 October 2021.

Make no mistake that drawing Celtic was the tie that they wanted least of all and while Celtic are clear underdogs today the doubts of their atrocious record against Alonso’s Celtic team will weigh heavily on their minds if Celtic start on the front foot.

Today’s game, with a 1pm kick off, can be watched in person at the Penny Cars Stadium but it is also available on You Tube, Facebook and Tik Tok as Celtic try and raise the profile of the women’s game, as well as being available for season ticket holders on the Pass to Paradise.

Coverage of the match is on a variety of outlets including Pass to Paradise, Celtic FC’s TikTok account, You Tube and Facebook and will begin from 12.45pm. So, wherever you are, you can catch the Ghirls in action before Ange Postecoglou’s side take on Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup at Celtic Park later today.

 

Wherever you choose to watch today’s Glasgow Derby you can be sure of a reaction from Celtic as when they take a hit, as they did on Thursday night, they invariably respond strongly – and what better occasion to show that fighting spirit than a home Scottish Cup tie against theRangers?

COYGIG

Niall J

About Author

As a Bellshill Bhoy I was taken to my first Celtic game in the summer of 1987. It was Billy McNeill’s return to Celtic Park as manager and Celtic lost 5-1 to Arsenal . I thought I was a jinx, I think my Grandfather might have thought the same. It was the finest gift anyone ever gave me when he walked me through Parkhead's gates.

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