Clarissa Larisey – from Celtic to Women’s Super League via move to Sweden
Celtic’s problem was that previously they were able to rely on Alonso’s instincts and contacts in the transfer game and he invariably produced players of real note and value for the club. Clarissa Larisey for instance was signed on a free and brought in a large transfer fee when sold to Swedish side Häcken before moving to Women’s Super League side Crystal Palace on a two and a half year contract in January 2025 for a presumably bigger (undisclosed) fee.
Canadian international striker Larisey is just one example of Alonso’s successful wheeling and dealing in the transfer market, all the more remarkable when you consider that the Celtic FC Women operation is totally self financing via the commercial deals that have been put in place by the club. More on that below.
What happens next at Celtic FC Women?
What happens next? Elena Sadiku has complained about the lack of backing for the club and the need for something like a Director of Football given she was brought in as head coach and also appears to be doing the manager’s job. It was never a complaint we heard from Fran Alonso, who remains out of work after leaving Houston in fairly unusual circumstances.
Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson during the match between Celtic and Hearts on May 04, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Celtic has invested heavily in the new facilities at Barrowfield which should open shortly but other than that the budget for the women’s team is well below what theRangers and Glasgow City spend and perhaps closer to what the two Edinburgh sides put into their own teams, with both Hibs and Hearts increasing their investments in women’s football this season to reach Celtic’s levels.
For both it has worked well. Hibs rather remarkably are top of the table with three games to go with both Glasgow City and theRangers hoping to pip them to the title. Celtic FC Women’s next two matches are against theRangers this Sunday then against Hibs a week tomorrow. We’d certainly want Celtic FC Women to win the Glasgow Derby!
Commercial deals the main source of income at Celtic until £400k from UEFA Women’s Champions League
At Celtic Adrian Filby, as head of commercial operations, did a great job in resourcing the Celtic FC Women project from a standing start via commercial and sponsorship deals , but he has left to take change of commercial operations at Premier League side Aston Villa. Chris Duffy has been looking after the women’s team as part of his duties as Company Secretary at Celtic but he too is, I believe, off to pastures new. So it’s a fresh start with Michael Nicholson having to make some big calls this summer.
Celtic are planning to host the final game of the SWPL season against Motherwell at Celtic Park on Sunday 18 May. It’s hard to imagine that the supporters who turned out this time last year to see Celtic take on Hibs knowing a win would deliver a first ever title , going to this game in significant numbers. Numbers are already declining at the women’s games, which was very noticeable at the recent Glasgow Derby at Cumbernauld.
Hayes a very big loss, great defender and her goals must have been worth
six points at least. I didn’t think she looked too happy before she left.
something happened to cause this. She was a big fan like the rest of
her family. She was pretty much irriplaceable, get her back
Cant argue with any of this article apart from Fran Alonso being unemployed , he’s been managing in Spain for nearly a year i think , there’s lots of problems in the women’s side but sorry to say the main one is the fantasist that is Elena Sadiku , Hail hail
Took my granddaughter to the Chelsea game and the Glasgow derby in November, and have watched a few other games. Talking to some of the players’ parents, I also heard that The Ghirls were expected to take the train down for the return WCL game against Chelsea and also that the players, who train 6 days a week, have to buy their own boots, out of their own pockets, which I find incredible in a professional league with not particularly high salaries!
If Celtic want to, they easily have the financial resources to make The Ghirls as dominant a force in the Scottish women’s game as their male counterparts … but right now, it is becoming increasingly difficult to take the club’s commitment to a women’s team seriously!
Glad to hear that about Fran.
No offence but could not care less on vanity projects