Video: A Glasgow Derby Green and Whitewash for Delighted Celtic Manager

The response from the Celtic support after the latest victory for Fran Alonso’s Celtic side over theRangers yesterday seems to signal a major breakthrough for the women’s game. The Celtic Star has covered the SWPL all season and we’re delighted that so many other Celtic sites and podcasts have joined us in providing coverage.

Alonso is an impressive coach, the players respect him, the team spirit he’s installed is second to none and tactically he is superb. Two goals yesterday from corners, organised, committed and resolute defending and a will to win the is essential at any level of the game for teams wishing to be successful. Those Ghirls yesterday had pride in the jersey they were wearing and were prepared to put their bodies on the line, take the hard knocks, to make sure that they got the three points.

Photo: Colin Poultney / www.collargeimages.co.uk

In three games against Alonso’s Celtic side this season theRangers have scored just once – despite having the majority of possession – and that gaol was the freakish, wind assisted goal yesterday. Incidentally that BBC Alba commentary, wasn’t it a little too blue? The guy asked as the two teams came out for the second half, with the game level at 1-1, “what can Celtic do to get back in this game?” – the answer was given in emphatic style by Sarah Ewens’ header at the near post.

Glasgow City dropping points at Hibs narrowed their lead to just 3 points over Celtic and they still have to play theRangers. Celtic travel through to the east coast to play Hibs on Wednesday (kick-off 7.15pm) before the final home game of the season against Forfar Farmington on Sunday 30 May (kick-off 2pm).

Then on the last day of the season – Sunday 6 June (D-Day) – Celtic are away to Motherwell while Glasgow City are at home to theRangers – and how strange would it be if a win for theRangers gave Celtic the title! Celtic are currently trailing Glasgow City by 7 goals, so a few big wins – like the 10-0 win over Hearts at the stat of the season. Alonso might not say it publicly but he’ll be aware that goal difference could be a factor in the destination of the title.

Photo Colin Poultney / www.collargeimages.co.uk

On yesterday’s win Alonso remained just as delighted today as he was as he danced around the touchline at theRangers training centre yesterday afternoon.

“It meant the world to us,” Fran Alonso told Paul Cuddihy on the Celtic View Podcast today. “We know how difficult it is to beat (the)Rangers. We know the investment they’d had and the quality they have, so to beat them three times in a season is an unbelievable feeling and I’m so proud of the team.

“Even today, we’re still getting the love from the fans. They are absolutely over the moon and, for us, it means the world so it’s a very, very beautiful day.

Rachael Johnstone , Chloe Logan and Jodie Bartle celebrate their 2-1 victory over Rangers. Credit Colin Poultney/ProSportsImages

“We talk about the mental part of the game being the most important part for us, and you see how amazing we were again to beat them in the last 10 minutes. We’ve beaten them three times in the last 10 minutes, which means we’re finishing the games so much stronger than they did, and, again, we controlled both boxes very well – we were the best team in both boxes – which is where the games are won or lost.

“We’ve got another game on Wednesday and to keep this level of concentration for 90 minutes is very hard, but what an amazing feeling and what a great job they did.

“It was totally deserved and I’m running out of words to describe how proud I feel about the fighting spirit and the passion they show on the football pitch wearing the Celtic top.”

Listen to the Celtic FC Women boss speaking to Celtic View Editor Paul Cuddihy below…

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who 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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