Saint Micky: Anatomy of a Transfer

Southampton have signalled their intention to push for promotion in the WSL2 with the signing of Michaela McAlonie from Scottish Champions Hibernian. Gethin Thurlow looks at what she could bring to Southampton and why it is an important deal for the Saints.

Photo: HibernianFC.com

Lucy Bronze’s middle name may actually be ‘tough’, but Michaela McAlonie’s might as well have been. A true Scot, McAlonie carries the fighting spirit and physicality that you’re born with in Scotland. While Bronze’s Euros winning campaign with a fractured leg has become woso folklore; the story of ‘Micky’ McAlonie playing the first half of Hibs’ title-winning game with her broken wrist in a cast is less well-known, but no less courageous as most of us would say (or plain daft in the words of parents and medical professionals).

Although she plays as an attacking midfielder, McAlonie is far from the scrawny, technically gifted players that often define that part of the pitch. She drives the ball forward with power and control, has a good long shot on her and won’t let any opponent take the ball from her feet without a fight.

Perhaps her biggest work for Hibs has been done off the ball. Tight midfield battles can often determine the rhythm of an entire game, and dominating Hibs was always a difficult task due to McAlonie. Willing to throw two feet into any challenge that required it (and some that didn’t), the 23-year-old can also nick the ball off you in a split second. Part of the reason Hibernian were so threatening on the counter last season was the ball-winning ability from McAlonie in a position you wouldn’t normally expect.

If Southampton can find a role in the team suited to those strengths, whether that’s in a deeper role or as a number 10 like at Hibs; McAlonie can thrive and become one of the standouts in WSL2 this year. While her creativity could be improved, that grit and determination embedded within her always shines through in her football and Southampton will be rewarded for what is ultimately a brave decision to go out, pinpoint her and get the deal over the line.

Unlike a lot of transfers in women’s football, this wasn’t simply a case of her contract running out in Edinburgh and the Saints picking up a free agent. They paid a rumoured £50k to Hibernian and there’s also speculation she was offered a £50k signing bonus. Clearly this was a key target for Southampton, and while Dean Gibson – former Hibs manager’s – role as head of recruitment likely played a part in the signing, it was backed by the board to the degree that they were willing to outspend a fair few WSL clubs this summer to bring McAlonie in.

Bad Timing?

For Hibernian, this is an outstanding player to lose and a terrible time to lose her. On the day they are flying out to Cyprus to play in one of the club’s biggest ever games – the Champions League qualifiers, McAlonie’s future was confirmed. The loss of her presence on the field is significant enough itself, there is just not another Michaela McAlonie.

Kirsty Morrison or Rosie Livingstone will likely take her position up on the field, and while they are great players in their own right, they cannot fill the void she leaves. Both being traditional wingers, their strengths are speed, great technical skills on the ball and good attacking instincts. In games where Hibs will easily dominate possession the midfield being strong enough isn’t so crucial, but in a game as challenging as Fortuna Hjorring, Grant Scott would have loved the opportunity to start McAlonie.

Beyond her place in the team, it will also undoubtedly shake up the other players to lose a fantastic teammate and even just her presence in the dressing room and in training will be missed. They are a resilient bunch and will only use this hardship to push them on, but is certainly not the preparation that the Leith team were wishing for.

After 123 games in Hibernian green and 23 years in Scotland, it’s new territory for McAlonie playing in England for the first time, and new opportunities. Whether this can boost her Scotland prospects or get her some action in the WSL remains to be seen. What’s for sure is that for the Saints she’ll excite, probably frustrate, pick up cards here and there, all while showing off the fight and strength that define her.