It could be Twenty’s plenty for Fran Alonso and his Celtic players this afternoon as the Hoops look to extend their unbeaten league run to an incredible 20 games. Standing in their way is a Spartans side renowned for their defensive capabilities – that is until the big teams come calling.
Spartans have performed well when facing sides outside the top three, as a 3-1 win against Hearts indicated as well as creditable goalless draws against both Aberdeen and Motherwell. Yet in the midst of those results came a 6-1 reverse to theRangers and a stinging 9-0 defeat at the hands of Glasgow City. As such as stuffy a side as they may be against the lesser lights of SWPL1 the statistics indicate there are goals to be had for Celtic this afternoon.
READ THIS…“We’ve got Tegan, she’s on the wing. We’ve got Charlie, she’s doing her thing, Fran is the leader…”
Celtic, on the back of hitting Hamilton Accies for six last weekend, with the added bonus of six different scorers grabbing the goals, will be feeling supremely confident about creating chances. Yet even with six goals bagged the Celts themselves would admit they were a touch wasteful in front of goal, in a game when double figures probably could and even should have been achieved. This season however the goals have been spread around the team with an incredible thirteen different scorers already having registered for Celtic this season – impressive figures indeed and numbers that should concern this afternoon’s opponents.
Celtic themselves have seen both sides of this Spartans side last season as they defeated the Ainslie Park side by a single goal, before defeating the Edinburgh club 5-1 on their own patch and 4-0 in a match played at Lennoxtown.
In theory then Celtic should have Spartans card marked. If that proves to be the case Celtic and Fran Alonso could well see themselves return to the top of SWPL1 ahead of this afternoon’s meeting between Glasgow City and theRangers where something has to give.
Celtic sit third in the table as things stand but three points against Spartans and a good few goals to boot could see Celtic sitting top of the pile dependant on that result between the top two. With an international break on the horizon, Celtic then could find themselves sitting on the summit of SWPL1 and looking down on their rivals until the league campaign resumes on 3 November. That should be all the incentive the Celts need to get those shooting boots on this afternoon.
It’s nigh on impossible to predict a Fran Alonso starting XI, indeed you half expect ‘keeper Chloe Logan to be given a shot on the right wing, such is the rotation used by Alonso this season. Yet one thing that has become predictable has been the use of the 3-4-3 formation that lends itself to attacking intent but can also lead to heart in mouth defensive moments at the back.
Not a bad day at the office!!
Very good performance and 3 pts for the Bhoys vs a good Motherwell side and other results going our way!
Tomorrow time for the Ghirls to try to carry on with the great form!!
How can you not love this CLUB???
Mon the hoops!!!!!!! HH🍀🍀🍀🍀 pic.twitter.com/xTJDVt3k6a— Fran Alonso (@FranAlonsoFA) October 16, 2021
But it seems Fran is determined to bed this system in and clearly believes it’s the formation to get the best out of every squad member, and when you are heading for twenty games unbeaten it’s a hard task to argue with the impressive Spaniard. Indeed, even when it is going wrong, as it did in the first half against Glasgow City, tweaks were soon made that saw the Celts roar back from two goals down to draw with the 14 times Champions and in actual fact could have grabbed all three points. There is not only a tactical nous in evidence when it comes to Fran, there is also that holy grail of any manager, in game management in abundance.
As such with Celtic flying in terms of results and goals coming from every angle, particularly from the outstanding Charlie Wellings – already on eleven goals in ten appearances – you get the feeling Fran Alonso will know goals is the order of the day and send out a Celtic side this afternoon at full strength and well aware of what is at stake. Get it right and Celtic go twenty games unbeaten, add a bit of luck to the mix and the Hoops will be top of the table by close of play this afternoon. This is an SWPL1 matchday that cannot be missed!
🟢MATCHDAY⚪️
We're Glasgow Celtic✊
🆚 Spartans
🏆 @SWPL 1
🏟️ Penny Cars Stadium
🕐 1pm
📺 @BBCSportScot website
🎟️ https://t.co/qci4CBBoAC#SWPL1 | #CELSPA | #COYGIG pic.twitter.com/JWDH3hIRLS— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) October 17, 2021
If you fancy witnessing the Celts heading to the summit of the SWPL1 this afternoon you can get your tickets for the 1pm kick off and the Penny Cars stadium HERE. And if you’d prefer watching from the comfort of your own home the game is live on the BBC Sport Website, as is the Glasgow City – theRangers game at 4.10pm, a game also live on BBC Alba.
It’s simply a massive afternoon for Fran Alonso and Celtic this afternoon and one that could well see the Celts return to the top of the SWPL1. You’d be mad to miss out on the action!
COYGIG
Niall J
