"Unbelievable"; Fran Alonso amazed by Celtic support after rout of Hibernian

By Euan Davidson

March 26, 2022

Celtic FC Women boss Fran Alonso was blown away by the Hoops support at Paradise today, as a raucous crowd cheered on the Ghirls against Hibernian.

Celtic ran out 4-0 winners, with goals from four different scorers. Clarissa Larisey, Olivia Chance, Jodie Bartle and Chloe Warrington all got on the scoresheet.

Though Hibernian did manage to get some decent passages of play going, this was a day all about Celtic FC Women. It took less than a minute to establish a lead, and Fran Alonso’s Celtic never looked back.

With a great crowd at Celtic Park, including the backing of the Green Brigade, Fran Alonso’s side were rampant. Two goals in each half settled the game, and the supporters came away absolutely delighted.

So, of course, did Fran Alonso, sporting his now customary Miami Vice jacket. Reflecting on the day as a whole, Alonso told Celtic TV: “I think it was fantastic.

“I loved the performance, I loved the day in general, I loved the fans, they were outstanding, singing the whole game. Unbelievable. A really, really unbelievable day, and fantastic spirit.

“We were so professional from the beginning, and we kept going to the end. I couldn’t be any more proud of this group.

“It’s about the team to get the goals. We can get goals from everywhere on the pitch, what a fantastic day. I hope they will never forget.”

Fran Alonso quite entitled to drink it all in as Celtic FC Women thrash Hibernian

There was no chance of Hibernian upsetting the Celtic Park crowd for this one.

Fran Alonso clearly had a game plan of starting with intensity, and finishing the game as a contest as soon as possible. Even without star goal-scorer Charlie Wellings, it was a job well done, and with control in the game, Celtic FC Women could essentially have a Parkhead party.

So it proved. On a beautiful afternoon in East Glasgow, Celtic played some absolutely fantastic stuff. Jacynta, the Player of the Match, was electric, taking players on at will, and finding space to pass where there didn’t seem to be any.

As a season, it’s been a mixed bag for Fran Alonso. He’ll be disappointed with our league position, but Celtic lost some key players over the summer. The recruitment was excellent, but it took a little time to gel. Now, players like Olafsdottir Gros and Mengyu are proving their worth, and the Champions League experience was a definite boost.

Not only that, there’s been a cup win, with a soaring Caitlin Hayes header sealing the SWPL Cup for the Ghirls.

Champions League qualification might be a little beyond Celtic FC Women this campaign. But in terms of both playing style, attention and response from supporters, there’ve been huge strides made this season.

Let’s get the Ghirls back at Paradise as soon as possible. Fran Alonso is box office by himself, of course, but his team play some fantastic football.

As was very much the case today.

Read more: Bartle gets her Paradise moment as Celtic make light work of Hibs