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Celtic FC Women

Time for Celtic to back Fran Alonso: “We don’t have the budget that other teams have got”

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Celtic FC Manager, Fran Alonso

Fran Alonso spoke to the media today ahead of Sunday’s SWPL match against Hearts at the Penny Cars Stadium in Airdrie. The Celtic Star was there as usual, alongside @cynicwomen another stalwart of the Celtic fan media supporting our Celtic FC Women side.

Back in December The Celtic Star asked the Celtic FC Women manager about his plans for strengthening the squad in the January transfer window, but unlike Ange Postecoglou, Fran was happy with the numbers and the quality within the squad and told us that he had complete faith in the squad that he had assembled to achieve their goals for the season without any need for January additions.

However two players, both attackers, then left the club – Kathleen McGovern heading to play her football in Germany while Rachel Donaldson left and this week signed for Partick Thistle. It wasn’t clear until today that these exits were down to decisions taken by the players themselves, rather than by Celtic, but with Charlie Wellings now injured – she will miss the game against Hearts on Sunday having sat out the Scottish Cup win over theRangers and playing while clearly being unfit against Glasgow City three days earlier.

Charlie Wellings thanks Clarissa Larisey following her goal vs Motherwell. Image Credit: Colin Poultney/Collarge Images

Today we asked Fran about the decision in January not to add to the squad and wanted to know if that decision might hinder his ambitions for the season.  His answer was enlightening.

“We don’t have the budget that other teams have got. We don’t have the resources and the possibility of signing full-time players, as many as other teams can, that’s how it is.

READ THIS…Surprise as Kathleen McGovern calls time on Celtic career after 11 years

Fran continued:

“At the time, in December we were very happy with the squad, at that time we didn’t have any injuries, and Rachel Donaldson and Kathleen McGovern were still our players. We didn’t know that they were going to leave. They wanted different things, different aspects of their lives and they decided to move on. But they were two players we were counting on but we lost both.

READ THIS…Donaldson signs for Thistle after surprise Celtic exit

“We didn’t have too much time to start scouting so we brought Annie (Timoney) and I think she did very well in the second half against(the)Rangers when she came on.

“So with the injuries now we are a little bit short. On Sunday we will have three or four of our Under 19s in the team but we are here to try to develop players, to build something in the long term, not only in the short term but of course we will try in the summer.

“We are already doing our homework and we will try to bring top signing like this year. I think we brought players who are probably the best signings we’ve ever had and we’ll to do it one more time.”

Celtic have the League Cup in the trophy cabinet at Celtic Park and as you know progressed to the quarter finals where they will play Aberdeen away at the start of April. Yet the stark reality is that theRangers – despite having a terrible record against Alonso’s team – is likely to end Glasgow City’s 14 season stronghold on the title – because they have invested in quality, experienced players, many actually signed from Glasgow City.

Celtic have in Alonso the top coach in the division. Backing him this summer is going to be paramount if we are going to dominate the women’s game in Scotland rather than letting theRangers achieve that position. The Champions route to the Champions League Group stages, as in the mens game, is much simpler and the prize money for that is over £400,000 with all the other spin-offs too.

Talking of theRangers, next we asked Fran Alonso about the desire shown by Clarissa Larisey in beating two of theRangers players to the ball for the opening goal last Sunday when she was clearly third favourite to win the ball.

“That’s the perfect summary,” Fran said. “That’s who we are and that happened last year when we were the third horse etc, when nobody believed, but we do believe. That’s why we won the game as well.

“We were 1-1 and they had a good spell and we had to defend very well but the draw wasn’t good for us and we kept believing, all of desire of going with everything and then we managed to score the winner. and as you say Clarissa’s goal she had a clear disadvantage against two players and she got their with pure belief, passion and desire and hard work, she had to sprint 100% to get there so that’s who we are.

“We might not have the most expensive players in the league or the most talented or experienced players in the league but every player we’ve got they give 120% for the badge and for their team-mates and that is our strength.”

Next we wanted to get some feedback from the club regarding the news that broke this week concerning both the League and the cup from next season coming under the control of the SPFL, with as we reported earlier this week, 17 clubs voting for the move. Fran gave us this update.

READ THIS…Celtic involved in breakaway with new league and cup competition set to start next season

“I have a meeting on Monday with our Board when I will know the ins and outs. With the games preparation etc, I haven’t been too much involved with that aspect but from what I learn, 17 clubs were totally for it, so I believe when everyone has the details it could be a very good thing. So I am positive, I think it could be a very good thing, but I can’t give you much details because my focus is on winning the three points on Sunday.”

Finally we asked Ange about the quarter final draw where Celtic will travel to the North East to play Aberdeen in early April.

Fran Alonso – Photo Stephen Dobson PSI

READ THIS…It’s Aberdeen away for Fran Alonso’s Celts in Scottish Cup quarter finals

“A very tough challenge,” Fran noted. “They beat Spartans 4-2, a very dominant display. I think they’ve got a very young team but they are gaining more experience now they have been in the division for a few months now and they are getting better.

Aberdeen Women v Celtic Women S 05/09/2021.  Photo StephenDobsonx PSI

“It’s a well drilled team, a lot of energy, bravery and it’s going to be a big challenge. It was already when we played them in the first game up there, their first game in this division. Now they’ve got more experience and have had some very good results, they are middle of the table and that tells you everything in their first year after promotion.

“It’s very impressive what they are doing and we expect a very tough game. We’ll have to be at our best to get to the semi-final. Fo sure it’s a dream for us.”

Celtic play Hearts on Sunday at the Penny Cars Stadium in Airdrie, kick-off is 2pm and it’s also live on the BBC Sport Scotland page.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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