For Fran Alonso it’s now personal. In his time in Scotland as the Celtic FC Women manager he has only beaten Glasgow City once and for him that didn’t really count as the title had been decided. Instead he looks back at last season and the two defeats and one draw against the long-time Scottish Champions hurts our charismatic Spanish coach. A Celtic penalty miss in the closing stages of the last game would as it turned out, have given Celtic the title had it gone in. Alonso knows the title was that close.
The two defeats also had back stories. The first was on the opening day and with Glasgow City already up to speed due to their Champions League participation Celtic were caught cold. Then, perhaps even worse was the loss on the first day back after the Government enforced lockdown of the women’s game for three months or so at the start of this year.
Celtic weren’t even allowed to train for months yet again because of their Champions League participation Glasgow City continued to train and that was the only time last season that Alonso’s side left the support deflated from what was a really flat and disappointing performance. Glasgow got a massive break to get the opening goal of a game where the weather was wild, wet and windy and at East Kilbride’s open K-Park that is hardly suitable to the style of football Celtic play.
Hope to see you all on Sunday at the stadium behind the ghirls!!
Together we are stronger!!
Mon the hoops!! 🍀https://t.co/O0zpBijQqw pic.twitter.com/WZqG22PTrb— Fran Alonso (@FranAlonsoFA) September 9, 2021
From then on however Celtic were magnificent and if that late penalty had gone in would have been Champions. Ifs buts and maybes is a game football fans – and maybe even coaches like Alonso – play when they’ve come close but ultimately fell short. Now though Fran wants to change that, he wants to win the SWPL title for Celtic and he wants you to do your part too by getting along to support the team.
His one victory over Glasgow City, he recalls came with a late winner with the Celtic fans present absolutely roaring on his Celtic team. And the scenes when winner hit the back of the net…
Alonso today speaking at a mixed media conference outlined his own personal ambitions to beat Glasgow City when it matters as he talked with pride about the team spirit within the squad. Celtic have continued to back the Celtic FC Women side, the team now train at Barrowfield and use the gym and canteen facilities at Celtic Park, home games are now at Penny Cars Stadium, a proper little football stadium rather than the training ground feel at K-Park.
New faces have come in, some old favourites have left the club but Alonso reckons that overall he’s had a squad upgrade for the new season with more pace, more technical ability and more tactical know-how. Celtic he says is committed to making the Women’s team better and better each and every year and are prepared to put the investment in to make that happen, in a sustainable manner.
So you’ve probably gathered that Fran Alonso wants to win on Sunday afternoon against Glasgow City at Penny Cars Stadium when the two best teams in Scotland – both Champions League participants this season – go head to head for three vital points. After a tough fought 4-2 win at the Balmoral Stadium in Aberdeen last Sunday, Alonso doesn’t care how it’s done, just win the match.
“For me, the only thing I care about is the three points, Whatever the result is, it’s not going to have a massive impact on the final positions of the league. But for me it’s about the three points, we will treat the game as a cup final, everyone is preparing for it like it’s a cup final, you can see the hunger of the girls in training because they are fighting for a spot,” Alonso said.
And Glasgow City’s surprising exit from the Champions League on Wednesday gives Alonso the chance to rub salt into the Champions’ wounds with a second defeat of the week.
“Of course a win for us would mean two defeats in a row for them, so maybe psychologically that is something that could hurt them, but that is for them to worry about, for me it’s about trying to get our second win in a row in the league and we will try to fight to get it, despite knowing it will be very difficult.
“We have to play them three times and if I could choose, I would rather play them later, but it’s early for both teams, so it’s the same advantage or disadvantage for both teams.
“So we will just get on with and I feel confident, I like how the team is training and we will go into the match like always, trying to get something from the game but knowing that they are the champions and the favourites, but we never minded that in the past and we don’t now either.
“They are the only team that beat us last year, so I’m preparing the game extra carefully and tactically with the coaches, because they are a very good team and a very experienced team.
“So I feel confident that we will play a good game and hopefully we can get something from the game as I say, but they are good and the fact that they lost this week means that they are going to bring even extra fight as they have to try to come back to winning ways.
“They don’t lose often, and when they do they have to make sure it’s not two-in-a-row, so we know they are going to be extra-motivated, and so are we.”
“I’m confident because I think we played very well and had a little tactical adjustment for that game because we thought it would suit us, and the girls executed it to perfection, so I’m very happy with the amount of knowledge the team is able to get and how efficient we are in everything we do.
“So, I really liked the performance, especially in the first half when I thought we were outstanding against a good energetic team like Aberdeen, who are used to winning all the time.
“So it definitely helped after coming from two defeats in the Champions League, for a team like ours who don’t lose often, two defeats in a row, it hurt, but it was brilliant that we were able to beat Aberdeen.”
“We are back into our very positive state of mind and I’m very confident in the team, we know that they are a very good team, and on paper they are the favourites, we know that, but I’m confident that we can maybe get something from the game.”
You can get along and support the Ghirls this Sunday with tickets priced at just £4 for U16s and £8 for Adults – you can bring the whole gang to get involved as league action heats up for Celtic FC Women!
With seven new summer signings bolstering the squad, it’s set to be an exciting season for the Hoops, so don’t miss your chance to see the new Ghirls in action this weekend.
It’s a 4:10pm kick-off, and tickets are on sale now – so plan ahead this weekend and book your tickets now to back the Celts at the Airdrie stadium!
Watch Fran Alonso’s Media Conference below…
It's the first Glasgow Derby of the season this Sunday as we welcome Glasgow City to Airdire – make sure you're there roar the Celts onto victory!🗣🗣
Buy your #CELCITY tickets now!👊https://t.co/UFQlMwK8Vh#COYGIG 🍀 pic.twitter.com/iU0omqJQDE
— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) September 9, 2021
