Fran Alonso: I am so proud of the players after our Euro win | OneFootball

Celtic FC Women’s manager Fran Alonso expressed his pride in the entire squad after they created history by picking up their first win the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

A terrific performance across 90 minutes saw the Ghirls defeat Brondby 1-0 in Oslo, thanks to a second-half strike from captain Kelly Clark.

Competing in Round One of the competition for only the second time in the Club’s history, the Celts sealed a place in the final of their mini-group where they will face either Valerenga or Minsk on Saturday.

Speaking to Celtic TV after the match in Norway, Fran Alonso said: “I feel an amazing feeling of pride in the team. They gave everything. We just played last Sunday and today the performance was outstanding against a top, top side too.

"They showed how good they are and how dangerous they were. But for long spells we controlled the game.

“Last time we played in the competition we couldn’t get that win, but already, we’ve played one game and got one win, which is incredible.

“So I feel delighted and extremely proud of the girls.”

Over the last few years, the Ghirls have made history in many different ways, winning trophies such as the Scottish Cup and smashing attendance records in Scotland.

However, on this occasion, history for the Hoops was created on the continent by sealing that first UEFA Women’s Champions League victory.

The Celtic manager insists that the sky is the limit for his squad, who continue to break boundaries and achieve even more success as Celtic players.

“These girls are incredible,” he said. “I have been here four years and they keep breaking records and keep making history each year.

“You can see that in these types of performances. It made me so, so proud. It is a fantastic day for the football club and I know it is a very special day for the players.

“I hope they enjoy it because what they have today is not easy at all.”

In facing Brondby, the Hoops took on experienced European opposition, and a side who have previously reached the semi-finals of the competition.

Ultimately, the Ghirls didn’t let that faze them, putting in an outstanding performance to reach the final this Saturday.

After achieving so much as a Celtic player, Alonso was also delighted to see his captain Kelly Clark pop up and score the winner.

He said: “It is a very hard game, Brondby are a very experienced team, and to be able to dominate the game for a few spells, to win the game and keep a clean sheet is incredible.

“But for Kelly it means a little bit more, and I am absolutely delighted for her. I couldn’t be any happier that it happened for her.”