Highlights from Celtic’s Cup win at Partick Thistle, interviews with Fran Alonso and Charlie Wellings

Highlights from Celtic FC Women’s 3-1 SWPL Cup group stage win away to Partick Thistle are now available to view.

📺 HIGHLIGHTS: Partick Thistle 1-3 Celtic

Wellings at the double secures the win for Celtic in the #SWPLCup against @ThistleWFC

Watch all the action now ⤵️https://t.co/39tHJHHb6V #COYGIG 🍀

— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) August 9, 2021

There are numerous changes to the Celtic side that performed so well last season with the likes of Sarah Ewens, Lisa Robertson, Mariah Lee and Anna Filbey all leaving the club for one reason or another. That presents Fran Alonso with a major challenge for the new season which of course will see Celtic enter the Champions League later this month for the first time ever.

Ewens and Robertson both left Celtic for Birmingham City while Filbey left Tottenham while on her loan spell at Celtic but has subsequently signed for Charlton Athletic.

Delighted to announce that I have signed for @cafcwomen 🔴 Really happy to be apart of this great club and I can’t wait for this next chapter 😊⚽️ pic.twitter.com/w46WhVKV2Q

— Anna Filbey (@Anna_Filbey99) July 29, 2021

One player who looks like being a top star for Alonso’s side this season is new signing Charlie Wellings who has been banging in the goals in the pre-season matches and got her first competitive goals for the Hoops yesterday.

✍️ #CelticFC Women are thrilled to sign new striker Charlie Wellings for the upcoming season! Welcome to Glasgow, @cwellings18 👋🍀 pic.twitter.com/S9D7A6So5B

— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) July 16, 2021

Here’s Charlie speaking after the 3-1 win away to Partick Thistle…

And here’s Fran Alonso’s post match thoughts…

And if you missed out comprehensive match report from yesterday afternoon here’s another chance to read that…

Partick Thistle 1 – 3 Celtic FC Women: Champagne Charlie Wellings – Sarah Who?

Celtic FC Women returned to competitive action at Petershill Park this afternoon as they faced Partick Thistle in the first round of the League Cup. In a challenging encounter Celtic delivered a comfortable opening day 3-1 win having come from behind in the process.

On the back of a successful domestic campaign last season which culminated in a Champions League place, Celtic awarded completive debuts to both new striker Charlie Wellings and Irish international midfielder Tyler Toland who attempted to fill the sizeable boots left behind following the exit of Scotland’s player of the year and Celtic midfield mainstay Lisa Robertson and star striker Sarah Ewens both having been coaxed to England’s Women’s Super League side Birmingham City by former Glasgow City boss Scott Booth.

Celtic lined up for the game with Johnstone in goal, Warrington, Bartle, Clark and Hayes in defence, behind Toland, McGovern, Atkinson and Bowie with Jacynta and Wellings expected to supply the goal threats as Fran Alonso looked to get the season off to a flying start with a confidence inspiring win over the Jags.

🎥 A victory for the Celts on their first competitive game of the season!

Daylin Docherty reviews the game from Petershill Park as Fran Alonso’s side win 3-1 in the SWPL Cup against Partick Thistle#SWPLCup | #PARCEL | #COYGIG pic.twitter.com/7QaPOQg0eI

— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) August 8, 2021

Partick Thistle however caught the Celts cold early doors as they took a surprise lead after only six minutes with Tegan McCann putting the pall past Rachael Johnstone in the Celtic goal. Despite the early setback Celtic appeared unruffled and were comfortable in possession in the early exchanges dominating the ball and territory and exhibiting a good level of patience despite the rain pouring down.

Charlie Wellings had two decent opportunities as firstly from an Atkinson cross the English striker got the ball caught under her feet and two minutes later Wellings controlled the ball superbly from a Catlin Hayes pass but the shot was deflected wide. Kathleen McGovern also had an opportunity from a Bowie run and cross but once gains Celtic couldn’t get the effort on target.

It was however the persistence of Charlie Wellings which paid off as Celtic levelled proceedings four minutes from half time as a wonderfully lobbed pass from McGovern was controlled superbly by Wellings who then produced the composure to chip the ‘keeper and put Celtic in level at the break and justifiably so.

Fran Alonso rang the changes at half time as Toland, Hayes and Bowie made way for Sarah Teegarden, Chloe Craig and Rachel Donaldson as Celtic looked to ultimately add the win to a strong first half showing.

The second half started slowly with only Thistle’s McBrearty threatening the goal and Jodie Bartle in the end dealing comfortably with the threat. However, Jacynta was prominent with her clever footwork offering an opportunity to Atkinson who did little with the opportunity fashioned for her.

Celtic however didn’t have long to wait to get their noses in front as a supreme effort from Rachel Donaldson not only kept the ball in play at the touchline but also managed to fashion a fine delivery into the box and Charlie Wellings struck again to grab her second of the game with a simple nodded finish.

Wellings then had a chance to grab a debut hat-trick in the 65th minute as she moved to a Warrington cross but just couldn’t connect before Celtic then introduced Olafsdottir Gros for a third competitive debut of the day as the Icelandic winger replaced Jacynta.

With fifteen minutes left Partick Thistle reminded everyone Celtic’s lead remained slender however Rachael Johnstone was sharp to the danger to save and within a minute of that fright Celtic nearly extended their lead, and it was Wellings once again seeking her hat-trick as Atkinson laid on a pass through the middle that Wellings could only send wide before Atkinson herself almost gave the Celts a two-goal cushion but the close-range effort was blocked.

Olafsdottir Gros then showed up well on her debut with a turn and shot , but was denied by Thistle’s McGregor, before Gros again was unlucky to see a nicely placed effort slip just wide.

But Celtic’s turning of the screw ultimately led to a deserved third goal and it was delivered by Kathleen McGovern who fully deserved a goal for her efforts throughout as having just missed out a moment before, McGovern met the resultant corner superbly on the half volley to put the Celts 3-1 up and settle the match as a contest.

Player of the match today has to go to the impressive Charlie Wellings who could with a fair wind scored as hat-trick today. Instead, she had to settle for a brace. It may take a bit of time for Celtic to compensate for the loss of Lisa Robertson in the heart of midfield but if Wellings can sustain this sort of from it will be a case of Sarah who soon enough.

This was a fine 3-1 win to get the Celts back into the competitive swing and it certainly bodes well for the league season ahead starting with Hearts next weekend.

Niall J