At most clubs winning a first trophy in a decade would not only be cause for celebration, it may even be an excuse to revel in the success. Yet Celtic is not just any club and Fran Alonso knows just that.
As such, as much as the League Cup success was celebrated, there is no time for lingering looks in the rear-view mirror. Instead, the sights are set firmly on the future and it is foot to the floor for Fran Alonso and his ‘competitive’ squad.
Celtic return competitive action today with the resumption of an SWPL1 after a short winter break, and a tough league opener against Hibs at the Tony Macaroni stadium. Alonso took time out to speak exclusively to Celtic TV, in the absence of any pre-match press conference in what was a strange decision from the club being the first game back after the winter break.
Celtic of course are playing catch up as they resume five points behind theRangers and sitting in third place behind other challengers Glasgow City, but with a winning mentality now banked, Alonso and his squad having had a taste of what it feels to lift silverware also have a hunger to add to their collection with a League title to aim for and perhaps a Scottish Cup and that potential Treble:
“When you achieve titles, the feeling is amazing because you know how much work goes on behind that.
“The highlight for me, not just in the last year but in my whole career, is that League Cup win and the way we got there against the three toughest teams in the country.
“We believed in ourselves and it was amazing, both in the cup final and in qualifying for the Champions League.
‘I want to win at everything and so do the girls, they’re so competitive.’
“When you’re in professional football it’s about inspiring younger generations and winning, so we are really excited to compete and you will see a team that is very hungry. “
There should of course be a great deal of pride taken that League Cup win, and in terms of impetus, Alonso has stated he believes the winter break possibly came at a bad time with momentum from the League Cup win leading to a 7-0 thrashing of Motherwell just prior to the shutdown.
Yet despite a postponement of last weekend’s Scottish Cup tie Alonso is confident with the batteries re-charged, a friendly under their belt and a real confidence from training ground performances Celtic will be ready to come out firing against Hibs today.
“There’s so much enthusiasm in the squad and we really can’t wait to get back into competition.”
“The break came at a moment when we didn’t want it to,” said Alonso.
“The players will probably tell you they needed it, but we were flying and our form was peaking.
“Then came the break but we’ve had a positive friendly match and an outstanding training session, so I’m positive.
“First of all, we need to pick up where we left off. We haven’t been able to compete, so it will be a challenge but we just have to try to replicate our game that we’ve played in the past.”
Celtic ended an incredible year by winning the first available silverware of the season, and with it a decade long domestic trophy hoodoo was lifted.
Today Fran Alonso and his team start 2022 with a further two trophies firmly in their sights, and with a taste for silverware now established don’t think for a moment that both the League Title and the Scottish Cup won’t be sitting alongside that League Cup trophy come the end of the season.
This Celtic side always rise to the challenge and if begins with Hibs away from home today in what is already a must win match to kick off a second half of a season where almost every match will be.
Celtic take on Hibernian in the SWPL1 today at the Tony Macaroni Stadium, Livingston (KO: 4:10pm) and the game will be shown live on BBC Alba.
COYGIG!
Niall J
⚽ @HibernianWomen 🆚 @CelticFCWomen
⏰ 16:00 📺 #BBCALBA
Celtic keeper Rachael Johnstone talks about her journey from growing up on the Isle of Lewis to fulfilling a dream to sign professionally with Celtic.
Tuilleadh bho @rachjohnstone_ aig leth-ùine.https://t.co/Q1ONBnpGzD pic.twitter.com/3rBgL4gfvh— BBC ALBA (@bbcalba) January 16, 2022
And for those who missed this one on The Celtic Star, here’s a catch-up chance to check out the photographs given to this site by the former Celtic Director Tom Grant of the demolition of the old Celtic Park and in its place the emergence of the New Celtic Park which we know and love today. These photographs are fascinating and well worth checking out on the link below…
READ THIS…Exclusive – A Phoenix Rising, a House of Steel. Celtic Park Redevelopment Photographs
