Larisey’s loss to Sweden is a reminder of how far behind the SWPL still is
WHEN Anna Signeul was approached to become Scotland head coach, her first reaction was to turn down the job. She knew that the game here was two decades behind women’s football in her native Sweden – and didn’t want to have to fight the same battles again.
Fortunately the then Scottish FA Head of Girls and Women’s Football. Sheila Begbie, persuaded Signeul to change his mind. A game-changing, if often bruising, 12 years followed, culminating in the Swede leading the country she came to love to a first major championship in 2017.
There was a reminder of Scotland’s place in the European pecking order when it was announced on Monday that Celtic had agreed the transfer of striker Clarissa Larisey to top-flight Swedish side Hacken for an undisclosed fee. The reality, as Fran Alonso acknowledged, is that the Canadian international is moving to a more professional and certainly much more developed football environment.
“The player wanted to go – that one [Canadian] the national team pushed for her to play in one of the strongest leagues,” the Celtic manager told me. “We got a fantastic fee, and if we didn’t take it, the player will go for free in six months.
“Most of the national team
managers advise players from here to play abroad, unfortunately. It is about investments. We have to promote the game better and then we will be one of the strongest leagues.
“When the passion and the finances are there, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be. In this moment
The Scottish league is far behind some of the best leagues in Europe.”
The reason, of course, is that the top men’s brands have taken so long to take their women’s teams seriously, much less invest in them. The 20-year lag in Sweden is only now being addressed.
Larisey was top scorer in the SWPL with 12 goals when she left – Lauren Davidson overtook her on Wednesday night with a double in Glasgow City’s win over Spartans – but despite this, Alonso does not believe her transfer will dent Celtic’s chances of winning a first title.
“Because we have a bigger squad, and a very good squad, I don’t think our chances have been affected,” he pointed out. “On top of that, there are at least a couple more players coming in and they will raise the quality of the team significantly.
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s a big loss and we’ll miss Clarissa, but her departure is a win-win for all three parties. We wish her the best of luck and we’ll support her in the World Cup. Now is an opportunity for someone else.”
Celtic go into today’s match against Glasgow Women six points behind leaders City, but play their match against Motherwell on Wednesday. One more player – though not, Alonso assures me, Jacynta Galabadaarachchi – could leave before the end of the window, but against that the other two or three will arrive.
CELTIC will also be without Olivia Chance for today’s game and the next two against Motherwell and Partick Thistle. Somewhat surprisingly, the club released her to join New Zealand’s squad for home games against the USA this week.
There was no obligation to do so. The matches are not played in an international window. In these circumstances, Rangers goalkeeper Vic Esson and Glasgow City defender Meikayla Moore will not travel. So why the Celtics’ magnanimity, especially with Larisey having just resigned?
“We had a conversation with their national team coach and internally with the club,” Alonso explained. “We always want to support our players, and on top of that we have a very big squad.
“The World Cup being played in New Zealand means the world to her. It was a very good thing to do.”
The reason why Eileen Gleeson and Glasgow City parted ways last month was made public on Thursday. As heavily hinted here and on social media, the former number 2 to Vera Pauw in Ireland is now the FAI’s first ever Director of Girls and Women’s Football.
There is still no word from SWPL chiefs on how they intend to replace Gleeson on a permanent basis. Interim head coach Leanne Ross has won her first two games 4-0, and one standout player told me on Sunday she welcomes the change of regime.