Speaking to Celtic TV after full-time, the Spaniard shared his delight at his squad’s resilience and adaptability.

He said: “Overall, I’m very happy. We knew it would be a tough game, it’s a very small pitch and the heat makes the ball travel slowly so it doesn’t 100% suit our style, but we knew it would be tough and we’d have to dig in to get something.

'But they were very well-organised and excellent at defending set plays and were impressive,so I’m happy to win.'

“We addressed things at half-time and changed some things tactically and we created more chances from it.

"We had better fluidity in our play in the second-half, but I’m delighted to score in the first-half and kill the game in the second."

Celtic fans were treated to an incredible season opener last week as the Hoops ran rampant in the 9-0 victory at Airdrie over Hibs.

For Alonso, it was important to keep the players heads down and feet on the ground after such a big win and he was pleased they managed to do so against Thistle.

He added: “It’s been our job all week to bring players back to basics and not get too excited about our last performance.

"That game is gone and today was a different game, against a different opponent, on a different pitch, so we need to take every game as it comes and treat it like a final.”

And while it wasn’t the same free-flowing football of last week, Alonso praised the sides tactical flexibility.

He said: “We practiced all pre-season with two different formations so we can change.

"Of course, we want to play our brand of football but at times on narrow pitches or with an opposition who are very disciplined and good defensively we have to look for alternatives and a plan B and we did that quite effectively.

"It means our players are learning and are tactically more aware and last year in games like today we could have dropped points."

Fran Alonso: We had to dig deep to get all three points