Fran Alonso has told his players that they have changed the landscape of Scottish women’s football despite failing to land a first SWPL title this season. There was heartbreak for Celtic after they came within two minutes of winning their inaugural league with an emotional Alonso left to console his visibly distraught players in the aftermath of an afternoon when they were so near yet so far.
“Last year I would have told you that getting 15,000 fans into Celtic Park for a women’s league game was impossible,” he said. “But they have done it. They have changed the women’s game in Scotland forever.”
His frustration this morning will lie in the fact that so much of it looks the same as it always did.
Glasgow City, the dominant force for so long, were overlooked last week with so many observers predicting a shoot-out between Celtic and Rangers as to who would win the league with goal difference expected to be a significant factor in the equation.
“I have to be honest, if you go to Ibrox and win there in front of a huge crowd then you deserve it,” said Alonso. “So we have to say congratulations to Glasgow City. That was a massive task. I didn’t think they would do it so we say that they are the deserved champions.”
Lauren Davidson’s 92nd minute made the outcome of the league entirely straightforward, although Alonso’s afternoon was anything but.
He went through the full range of emotions as he watched Caitlin Hayes and Natasha Flint put Celtic in the driving seat and on their way to the title only to visibly recoil when news was whispered into his ear that City had scored at Ibrox.
He thought there was a reprieve, His hands clasped over his mouth in shock, he gesticulated to the crowd when there was a huge roar as Rangers scored. The flatness when the effort was disallowed for a clear foul on the Glasgow City goalkeeper sought only to rub salt in the wound.
“Football can be cruel and today was cruel,” he said. “We did what we had to do. We did what we had to do. We had five first-team players out and it was a fantastic performance from us. We dominated and had so many chances.
“The worst thing was when they told me Glasgow City scored. That was absolutely devastating but then hearing the whole stadium cheering a few minutes later…that was one of the happiest moments in my career. And then it wasn’t and I can’t tell you how hard that was to take.
“I am gutted. So gutted. For the players not winning the league and for those fans who set another record crowd again and did not see us celebrate the league. It is breaking my heart.”
