Can Hoops end Rangers’ run?
Alonso: Celtic’s passion can be key factor
WITH just a single point between league leaders Rangers, Glasgow City and Celtic at the top of the SWPL, the first Old Firm derby of the season carries even more intrigue than usual.
Perhaps the biggest question on current form is whether Fran Alonso’s Celtic have the wherewithal to find a way past a Rangers side who have not lost a league game for more than 18 months.
Malky Thomson’s Ibrox team were imperious last term as they won their first league title and halted the dominance of Glasgow City.
Alonso was quick to remind everyone yesterday that the Hoops beat this evening’s opponents twice on their way to securing both domestic Cups — but the Spaniard accepted there is a reason why Rangers are favourites to retain their title this season.
‘We know we will face the team who are potentially the favourites for the league, but that will motivate us more,’ he said ahead of the clash at Broadwood. ‘We are looking forward to it and the girls have trained well. Hopefully we can get something from the game.
‘We are facing our biggest rivals and that means more to the fans. We are fighting for three points and, whatever happens, I don’t think it will decide the league because we have to face them another three times.’
The Celtic boss added: ‘We are realistic. This is a team (Rangers) who have not lost a league game for a year and a half, which is incredible. They have had a massive investment for the past three years and they are getting the results from that.
‘Last year, two of our performances against them in the league weren’t bad but there was one where we needed a little bit more quality. We were disappointed with our form in the league but we knocked them out of both cups. This year we want to be more competitive in the league and beat them.
‘Can we do it? Yes, we have done it twice last year. They are the favourites. We will go into the game with a lot of passion, and we know that we were the only team in the country who beat them last season — so hopefully we will be the first to beat them this season.’
Celtic turned out to be the winners last weekend as Glasgow City held Rangers to a draw at Petershill — the Hoops having also lost ground there a month ago when a last-minute goal from Eileen Gleeson’s side gave the hosts all three points.
Alonso was angry that night, as much with the manner of the performance as the 2-1 defeat, insisting that it was the worst his side had played.
Those goals were the only ones Celtic have shipped in the league this term, but there was another bump in the road when Spartans unexpectedly put them out of the Sky Sports League Cup at the quarter-final stage.
Celtic will be strengthened by the return of Jacynta, who is available again after a bizarre red card that saw her suspended, while Clarissa Larisey, the club’s Canadian forward, is back from international duty. Both have been instrumental in the opening stages of this campaign.
Alonso, for his part, remains optimistic ahead of a game that offers his team the opportunity to leapfrog their rivals.
‘The confidence is high,’ he stressed. ‘What gives me confidence is the way the girls have trained. I can feel their hunger and their passion. For me, that is the most important thing because that is the weapons we’ve got. Maybe we are not quite at the same level as them (Rangers) but if we match up with passion and heart, then maybe we can get a good result.
‘The mental aspect is important, especially in an away game with what is expected to be a big crowd.
‘It could be intimidating for our more inexperienced players but the more experienced ones always help and guide them. What is important is that they have a very clear game plan.’
Celtic defender Caitlin Hayes claims there is no aura around Rangers as far as she or her team-mates are concerned, regardless of the Ibrox side’s grip on the domestic game.
‘Since I have been here, it is 5-3 in Celtic’s favour, so I don’t see that there is an aura or a hold over us,’ she said.
‘They are not someone this team fears.’