Celtic have not one but two cup semi-finals this month and if these games can be won both Fran Alonso and Ange Postecoglou will take Celtic into a cup final for the first time as Celtic managers.
First up is Alonso whose Celtic FC Women side play Hibs in the semi-final of the SWPL Cup this coming Sunday afternoon at Forthbank Stadium in Stirling. Hibs are the seven times winners and current holders of this piece of prestigious silverware but Fran Alonso will be looking at getting his hands on the trophy. The final is being played at the start of next month at Firhill.
Speaking to The Celtic Star earlier this week at the SWPL media conference Fran Alonso admitted that reaching the final would “mean the world to him” but the charismatic Celtic FC Women manager is under no illusions as to how difficult the task will be on Sunday against a very good Hibs side.
Celtic reached the semi-final after travelling across the city to play theRangers in the quarter finals. A Charlie Wellings goal was all that separated the sides and that result was reversed at the weekend when theRangers got the better of Celtic at Penny Cars Stadium, again with just the one goal in it. That brought an end to Alonso’s side’s exceptional 25 game unbeaten domestic run.
“Our full focus is on our game on Sunday,” Alonso said as he looked ahead to the weekend, refusing to dwell on the disappointing result last Sunday. “It’s an opportunity to get into a final and we can’t be too tough on ourselves.
“Until last Sunday we were 25 games unbeaten domestically so we can keep that belief. It’s very important to move and the girls are up for a good week of training ahead of a massively important game,” he told the media conference.
“Hibs are used to getting to finals but we were confident and if we can play at our best we are giving ourselves the chance to get into the final.
“In the league game we won it in the 93rd minute and while we controlled most of the game there wasn’t much between the two. They’re good in this competition too and they will be up for it, but I trust my team and if we can stick to our game-plan we have a good chance. I am confident, but we know it won’t be easy.”
The fact that the SWPL Cup is being played this season at all is most welcome. While the focus was on the league fixtures being fulfilled last season there has been no League or Scottish Cup matches played due to the pandemic, so this is Fran Alonso’ first chance to win a cup competition as Celtic manager.
“It would mean the world. It’s about growing as a team and to be able to get to a final together would be another achievement. I really want that, and then if we could win silverware that would be amazing and would be a success itself for the season.
“But to do that, we have to beat the best in the country, so nothing will be easy but it could be very special. But it’s not right to talk about the final yet when we have a very difficult game against the Champions on Sunday,” he said.
Watch Fran Alonso and Celtic defender Jodie Bartle speak to the media ahead of Sunday’s SWPL Cup semi-final against Hibs at Forthbank Stadium in Stirling. It’s a 4.30pm kick-off and it’s pay at the game. Prices are £5 for adults and £2 for concessions. If you can’t make it along to the game you can watch via the Scottish Women’s Football YouTube channel where it is being streamed live.
