Celtic FC Women head-coach Fran Alonso has been reflecting to Celtic TV on yesterday’s vital win and three points gained against Spartans at Ainslie Park, as Celtic began a run of three tough games with the perfect start and a 2-0 win, in a game where the job was completed early and allowed the Celtic boss to plan ahead for Thursday night’s clash with Champions Glasgow City.
“They made it very, very difficult for us, it wasn’t easy but I thought we put in a very professional performance we totally deserved the win and we are happy because it’s a very tough week, and that’s the best start of the week”
“it’s been very good because we managed to score the second goal quite early so we managed to give some rest to some key and today will make it even more challenging for us.
In a week of three games that gives us more morale, and hopefully we are going to have a good game on Thursday as well and now we can’t wait to face City.”
A goal in each half from Celtic first through Maria Olafsdottir Gros and then through Clarissa Larisey, standing in for the injured Charlie Wellings, was enough to see off a Spartans side who although dogged in their defensive duties, simply couldn’t lay a glove on Celtic in an attacking sense.
Here’s the Unique Angle for the two goals that gave Celtic three vital points against Spartans.
Now Celtic’s thoughts turn to Glasgow City on Thursday night, a side who have made a slow start after returning from the winter break and lost to theRangers in the top of the table meeting yesterday.
City however shouldn’t be underestimated, after all they are 14 times champions, have been over the course before and have added four players to the squad during the winter shutdown. Yet Celtic defeated City with a terrific League Cup final win in December and will now know they can certainly defeat this Glasgow City team and leapfrog City, ahead of the Hoops in the SWPL1 table by only two points, into second spot and take pole position in the race for the second Champions league qualification spot, before chasing theRangers who lead the Hoops by four points. And Fran Alonso is convinced his team can continue their superb form into this vital tie.
“We will make sure we have our performance at least as good as our performance in the Cup Final, hopefully with the same result, but we know they are a much better team.
“They made four signings, they are stronger now than they were at the time (the cup final) so it’s not going to be easy, and in my opinion, they are the best team in the country, so again it’s a massive challenge, but we like a challenge and we have done it a couple of times, so why not, we will give it a good go for sure.”
Celtic’s win was the perfect run out ahead of the Glasgow City game, the three points were won early and the key players were afforded less gametime, with a view to a taxing encounter ahead with Glasgow City.
Celtic also won without arguably their best two offensive players this season, in the shape of the creative Olivia Chance and top scorer Charlie Wellings.
You’d hope both will be available for selection come Thursday night for Celtic’s biggest league match of the season so far, as it will give the rest of the team a lift as well as instilling fear in an opposition who have already made a less than impressive return from the winter break.
Niall J
