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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Alison McConnell

Rangers remain top of SWPL as Fran Alonso insists Celtic must improve

Rangers remain top of the SWPL after a 3-1 win over Spartans while Celtic also got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Dundee United.

Reigning SWPL champions Glasgow City, however, were held to a 0-0 draw against Hearts which leaves them eight points off the pace of Rangers and seven off of Celtic – they do, however, have a game in hand still to play. 

They will need to find their groove quickly – they play Celtic on Friday night in the quarter-final of the Sky Sports Cup in Airdrie.

Alonso was happy to claim three points on the road but lamented the fact his side looked unconvincing as they took the win after goals from Imane Addi and Tiree Burchill, daughter of former Celtic striker Mark. 

“The victory and the clean sheet was important,” he said. "We needed that. I think the performance was so-so. I thought we played well but in the final third our decision making wasn’t great, our finishing wasn’t great and the reaction for second balls in the box wasn’t great. 

“Overall I am happy with the result. We knew Dundee United would make it difficult. They are very good at defending their box and they sit deep. 

“We have had players away for internationals so we knew it would be a tough game so we have to be happy with result. 

“But the performance does have to be better. They had a chance in the counter-attack at 1-0 and on another day then you can drop points and that would be devastating for our goals of the season.  

“You have to be happy with the three points in a game that is never going to be easy but we had more chances to score. We have to be more clinical and more pro-active but it is a clean sheet, a win and we have 33 points from 12 games which is fantastic. 

“We just need to work hard and make sure we play at our best on Friday. We have all the players back now which is good because it is difficult to prepare properly when they are away. 

“We should be stronger for Friday’s game and we want to give our fans something to cheer about.”

Rangers kept their place at the summit of the SWPL with a 3-1 win over Spartans. There was a scare after Brogan Hay and Michelle Colson had netted before goalkeeper Jenna Fife allowed a Rachel McLauchlan backpass to squirm under her foot. Megan Bell eased any nerves with a goal two minutes from time.

“It wasn’t our best performance,” said Potter. “It was below the standards we accept and except from one another but nonetheless sometimes when you have a performance like that the main thing is to get the three points and that is what we did today. 

“Mistakes happen in football, we know that. Sometimes when you are the one between the sticks it is more detrimental than if it was a mistake made by a striker. Jenna doesn’t make those very often but we take the points and bouce back next week.”

Elsewhere, Partick Thistle beat Hamilton Accies 2-0 at Firhill with Lucy Sinclair, Cara Henderson and Emma Lawton all on the scoresheet.

Hibs thumped Montrose 8-0 with the Leith side and Hearts now level on points.

Aberdeen beat Motherwell 5-2 – the game had been level at the break – as they leapfrogged Motherwell in the table. 

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