GLORY HAYES
Goal hero insists this is just the beginning
JUBILANT Celtic hero Caitlin Hayes insisted the club’s SWPL Cup win at Firhill yesterday is the start of something special for Fran Alono’s side.
Hayes’ first-half goal was the difference between the Hoops and Glasgow City as the Parkhead side won the trophy for the first time since 2010.
It is only the second major honour the women’s team have won and is a first for Alonso.
Hayes, though, believes that there will be much more to come after the win over City, who have been the dominant force in the women’s game for so long.
“It means the world to every single player,” said Hayes.
“There is that belief and that effort from every single player.
“We went out to put our all into it from the first whistle.
“We have been doing that all week in training and talking about doing for each other and having that belief that whatever anyone else said, we wanted to say Celtic are here and they are here to stay.
“I can’t get over the goal! My job is to defend but I am glad to have contributed like that.
“Everyone here – the ones on the bench and the ones in the stand all had a part in this run. I couldn’t be happier.
“We can do whatever we put our minds to. We can achieve anything under the guidance of Fran Alonso and our coaching staff. It is an unstoppable force.
“We put our heads down and we will just keep going now.”
Celtic set the tone for the day in the opening stages of the game as they started at a furious pace.
Charlie Wellings had header from Chloe Craig’s cross tipped on to the post by Lee Alexander inside the opening minute.
There were further warnings for City before Hayes’ header from Sarah Harkes’ free-kick ended up in the back of the net.
At that stage it was no less than the Hoops deserved given their control of the game.
City hit the bar deep into the second period but by and large it was a quiet afternoon for Celtic’s 17-year-old shot-stopper Rachael Johnstone.
And Alonso was keen that his players allowed him to take a moment to himself and revel in the achievement.
He said: “I would like to think that this might be the start of more trophies but that is the first trophy of the year and we managed to get it.
“It will give us a lot of confidence before we play Motherwell at the weekend and we try to get more points in the league.
“But it is also important that we enjoy this too. This was not easy. We beat the best three teams in the country to win this.
“It is a magic day. We controlled the game. We created so many chances and the most important thing was to get the win.
“Mentally we knew that we were underdogs but we fought for every ball on the pitch.
“I am so proud of the girls and I am delighted.
“I am the proudest guy in the world. They give 150 per cent for the team and I am delighted for them and so proud of them.”