We know we’re the best — now prove it!
Alonso’s challenge to Celtic ahead of dramatic run-in
Celtic are the best team in the Scottish Women’s Premier league — according to manager Fran Alonso. their challenge now is to prove it over 180 minutes of football.
Between the disco lights and the celebrations, one might have been forgiven for assuming the SWPl title was done and dusted at celtic Park on thursday night.
Alonso’s side kept ambitions of a first-ever championship alive with a pulsating second-half display that saw off league leaders Glasgow city 3-1 but, with two league games and a Scottish cup final still to play, the Spaniard insists that the party ended the second his team walked back into the dressing room on thursday.
‘We are doing well because we are humble, we are hard workers and because we give 120 per cent, which is why we score a lot of late goals,’ he said. ‘But we have done absolutely nothing yet. Our trophy cabinet this year is zero.
‘We have the possibility of two trophies — but just now, it is zero. So, yesterday morning, they were back in at the normal time of 9am to prepare for tomorrow’s game against Hibs.
‘We recovered, we trained and we know we need to be ready for Sunday’s game.’
Alonso believes that city, with a two-point lead at the top of the table over celtic and Rangers, remain favourites for the title but it is an intriguing finale to the campaign. the ibrox side host the league leaders in what promises to be a dramatic climax to the season next weekend.
city are at home to Partick thistle tomorrow, while Rangers travel to face Hearts.
celtic then host the edinburgh side on the final day of the season next Sunday.
‘it is still difficult and Glasgow city are still the favourites but, in my opinion, we have been the best footballing team this season,’ said the Spaniard.
‘We are the team who has scored the most goals and, in terms of chances created, we are up there.
‘there are two more games and, hopefully, we can achieve our dream. it would be incredible.
‘the win on thursday is massive in terms of going into the champions league but we still need to win the next two games.
‘it is in our hands; we win the next two games and we have a chance of winning the league, but it would definitely give us that champions league place which is so important.’ european participation also opens up the possibility of a bigger budget to work with.
interestingly, Rangers and Glasgow city both boast a bigger financial pot as things stand, with Alonso optimistic that, if his side were to secure elite-level continental football this term, he might have more to work with.
‘i would love to have at least the same budget as the other two (city and Rangers) but i knew what it was when i came here,’ he added.
‘they were honest to their word (the board) and, every year, it is a little bit better. We are still not at the level of the other two but we are recruiting very well.
‘We got caitlin Hayes from a second division team and, for me, she is the Player of the Year and the best centre-back in the country. this is what we do.
‘We want to retain our best players for next season and if we qualify for the champions league, that is a massive incentive for them to stay and to attract other players.’
Alonso will hope that his career highlights have still to come with two pivotal games before the Women’s Scottish cup final against Rangers at Hampden.
With a record crowd of 9,553 in attendance at celtic Park last night, it will be interesting to see if that figure is eclipsed at the national stadium on May 28.
‘i have been many years in football and my two favourite games were last year’s Scottish cup final and our game on thursday night,’ said Alonso. ‘this club is so special.
‘i was sad at half-time, not only because i was seeing the league going (celtic were trailing 1-0 to city at the interval) but because we had 9,000 people who were singing non-stop and we played like that. But we made sure that everyone went home with a smile.
‘the game had everything and it is a great advert for the women’s game. it was a record-breaking crowd and we made them happy. Hopefully, we can do the same over the next few weeks.’