Celtic manager Fran Alonso has taken his Women’s side to the cusp of history.
That’s no overstatement, either. After turning professional just last season, the Ghirls are two victories away from qualifying for the Champions League. Even more than that, a loss for Glasgow City could see Celtic vaulted to a very unlikely title.
Glasgow City face Rangers on the last day of the season, while Celtic have Forfar Farmington and Motherwell to negotiate. While you could easily point to the Ghirls’ thumping 8-0 win over the Angus-based side at K-Park [Womens Premier League], it’s just as easy to recall a dramatic point won away in December [BBC].
How on earth do you approach a team you’ve walloped, but also snatched a late draw against? Fran Alonso told 67 Hail Hail:
“For me, that’s the only positive of us dropping points against them. If we beat them both times, it would be more difficult for me to say “girls, focus on the game, focus on the three points”. The danger of the game is we think we have already won; then we will suffer.
“We created so many chances that game, but we didn’t put them away.
“It won’t be an easy game. We can’t think we are going to go there and beat them 8-0 like last time. We have to fight, we have to be at our best, we have to keep the focus, and try to win the three points.
“Obviously we are on an amazing run, we are on great, great form. We are top mentally, top physically for this stage of the season. We are the best players we can be. But do not underestimate the opponent. Do not underestimate the opponent, because we could complicate our own game.”
Celtic manager reflects on hard-fought win in midweek
Alonso knows a thing or two about in-game management and preparation, after all. Arguably, Celtic faced their most difficult fixture in weeks on Wednesday night. In a scrappy, difficult match, the Hoops scraped a win on a surface that left a lot to be desired.
As a galvanising result though, we couldn’t really have asked for more. We asked Celtic manager Alonso what he said to the players at half-time:
“It was a very hard match on an unplayable surface. We thought at half time we can keep the ball for longer spells. In the second half, we got 78% possession in the first fifteen minutes. But then, they started to come a little bit more aggressive, because they were losing. Then we changed totally.
“We went more direct, tried to limit mistakes. Because the pitch was really unplayable, you saw centre-backs stepping with the ball, and the ball was bouncing different places. It was so hard.
“For us, we knew the importance of the three points, three points that could mean the world. We say, “look; this is not a day to play beautiful football, this is the day for sticking [together], working hard for each other and winning the three points”. You saw at the end the reaction of the players. What it meant to them, what it means for us.
“[It was a] horrible game of football. A football game that shouldn’t be allowed to be played there. [It was] disrespectful to both teams, to our female footballers. But, as I say, for me it’s about the three points. We’re absolutely delighted.”
What Sunday could mean
The form guide has Celtic as the team to beat in the SWPL. After a gritty goalless draw with Glasgow City, the Ghirls stand second having won all subsequent matches, 3 points adrift of top spot. If Glasgow City lose, they would edge the league on goal difference. Looking behind us, Rangers sit 2 points out of Champions League contention. The mission couldn’t be clearer: keep winning.
Celtic v Forfar Farmington is to be streamed live on the BBC Sport website. Kick off is at 4pm, with Kevin McGreskin’s side travelling to K-Park, and a small number of supporters being allowed in. There’ll be a comprehensive match report on 67 Hail Hail at full-time.
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