“Our record against them is outstanding we’ve managed to beat them 5 out of 6 times,” Fran Alonso

Lying four points behind theRangers, and with our rivals having a further two games in hand, may be enough for some managers to give up the ghost, Celtic FC Women’s Head Coach, Fran Alonso, however intends to come out fighting in this afternoon’s Glasgow Derby at Murray Park.

And he’s every right to feel confident. After all, Alonso and his Celtic side have only ever tasted defeat to theRangers once in his time as manager, meanwhile he’s handed out five ‘skelpings to opposite number Malky Thomson.

Speaking to Celtic TV ahead of the match Alonso has also pointed to the fact theRangers may stand undefeated at the top of the SWPL1 league table, however both domestic defeats in the League Cup, which Celtic ultimately won in December and more recently in the Scottish Cup at the Penny cars stadium were both inflicted by Celtic.

“Our record against them is outstanding we’ve managed to beat them five out of six times, which is incredible. This year we’ve managed to knock them out both cups and with the squad they’ve got that is very difficult, so that gives us a lot of belief. Although nobody else has beaten them this year, we have twice already.

“We will try to exploit their weakness and try to stop their main strengths”

For Celtic this game is win or bust as far as any outside chance of a league title goes, yet a win will pull the Hoops to within a point of the league leaders and ramp up the pressure as they approach their two games in hand, as well as raising hopes of narrowing in on Glasgow City in second place and Champions League qualification for a second consecutive season.

Celtic have had injuries to contend with in recent weeks, as top scorer Charlie Wellings has been missing- something that is being assessed on an ongoing basis – as has ‘keeper Chloe Logan – who has become a longer-term injury concern.

Alonso has also indicated not everyone has returned from the international break with a clean bill of health and available for selection, however in the absence of a pre-match press conference this week, something the Celtic Star would normally attend, we’ve been unable to quiz the manager on who those absentees may be.

In the absence of Chloe Logan both new signing Anna Vincenti who was between the sticks for last weekend’s 2-0 win against Hearts, and Rachael Johnstone who has returned from Scotland’s Pinatar Cup campaign, will be more than able to deputise. Meanwhile should Charlie Wellings fail to recover in time Clarissa Larisey already has experience of scoring against theRangers in the recent Scottish Cup win and will more than occupy theRangers defence.

🗣This year we've managed to knock them out both cups and with the squad they've got that is very difficult, so that gives us a lot of belief. Although nobody else has beaten them this year, we have twice already.@FranAlonsoFA speaks ahead of #RANCEL tomorrow🍀 pic.twitter.com/kaIEGrXBA7

— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) February 26, 2022

With Ange Postecolou’s team heading to Easter Road for a lunchtime kick off, that game will be done and dusted by the time Fran Alonso’s side kick off at 4.10pm. As such make it a Celtic Sunday afternoon and tune in to watch this huge Glasgow Derby on BBC Alba this afternoon, it really is the perfect opportunity and the ideal game to take in.

This will be no easy task for Celtic and a close encounter is guaranteed, as no side won this fixture by more than a solitary goal. However Celtic will know they have the psychological edge. As such an early goal for Celtic in this one may well see self-doubt creep into theRangers players thoughts, not to mention their manager. If so, Celtic are more than capable of turning in vital away day Glasgow Derby win.

🟢⚪️ BIG @SWPL 1 game this weekend 🆚 Rangers!

🗣️ "If we’re not on the ball, we need to be mentally strong and believe that we can beat them, because we can" – @sarahteeharkes #GlasgowDerby 🍀 #CelticFC pic.twitter.com/dQAK8l3V7C

— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) February 25, 2022

COYGIG

Niall J