A supporter has managed to capture Fran Alonso’s brilliant reaction to the last-gasp winner against Glasgow City yesterday.
Celtic Women overcame City to win the Scottish Cup and bag their second piece of silverware this season. It comes hot on the heels of December’s SWPL Cup victory over the same opposition.
However, the Hoops had to do it the hard way. They went down to 10 after a red card for Jodie Bartle and were twice pegged back by Glasgow in the first half. However, Izzy Atkinson slotted home with just minutes remaining in extra-time to secure the result, and it’s clear to see how much it meant to Alonso:
It’s fantastic to see that level of raw passion coming from the manager. If anything shows you how much yesterday meant to him, it’s that celebration.
Alonso becomes the first Celtic women’s manager to lift the Scottish Cup after ending an 11-year wait for trophy success at the end of last year.
The 3-2 thriller at Tynecastle yesterday also marked a record attendance for a women’s final in Scotland yesterday, with 4,345 turning up to watch the contest [BBC].
Fran Alonso shows his Celtic passion as new targets about to be set
It was a colossal effort from the players in what will have been a hugely draining match emotionally at Tynecastle.
To bounce back from being pegged back on 2 occasions and then to lose Bartle through a red card was absolutely demoralising at the time. However, the truth is that it never seemed to harm Celtic. Instead it simply motivated them further.
This was no smash and grab. Atkinson’s late strike came through constant periods of pressure from the depleted Hoops side. It could very easily have been game over well before extra-time with the dominance and opportunities created in the second half.
This was fully earned through a dominant display that, on another day, could’ve ended up a hammering. The right team wont he trophy and Glasgow City go back empty handed with a first trophyless season in 18 years.
From a Celtic perspective, bigger targets will now need to be set for next season. Winning 2 trophies is absolutely fantastic, but there’s no denying that letting the European spots slip in the league was disappointing. Getting into the middle of a title hunt will be a big aim for the club next season.
They clearly have the standard of player there to challenge. Hopefully, Fran has what it takes to bring them up to the next level.
In other news, It’s time for Celtic’s David Turnbull to receive his overdue Scotland break
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