“We won this cup for the first time in our history last year, and we would love to at least get to the final," he said.

"We know it’s at Hampden so it's a massive incentive for us and we will prepare for this game like any other.

'Despite the opposition being from a lower division, they won’t be underestimated and we want to be in the final.'

Alonso was keen to dispel any ideas that his side will treat the fixture any differently than an SWPL match, and hailed his players’ mentality since their return from the festive break.

He said: “We couldn’t get as much footage so our opposition analysis couldn’t be as detailed as we normally do it, but we did the exact same process.

"We don’t want players to underestimate them and therefore we cannot underestimate them as a staff, so preparation has been exactly the same.

"Fitness levels have been better than expected. They are fighting for positions so it's important for them not to switch off and it’s been very good.

“We will play the players who train better and will go as full strength as we can."

The Celts were in great form heading into the Christmas break, and despite wanting his team to ride that wave of confidence, he reiterated his stance on keeping their feet on the ground and conducting their business as usual.

“We love to go game by game and don’t want to put targets on ourselves, but I think we are playing the best football we have played in the last three years," he added.

“In terms of chances created, we are the top team in the league in many of the stats, which gives us a lot of confidence.

"Of course, at the moment, we are third in the league but I like how the players are fighting between themselves and improving individually and I really like how they are playing. We have conceded only two goals in the league which is incredible."

Fran Alonso: Aim is to reach the final once again