RANGERS Football Club are today delighted to announce the appointment of Leanne Crichton as Head Coach of the Women’s first-team on a three-year deal.
The former Scotland international joins the club from her first-team assistant coaching role at Glasgow City, completing her UEFA Pro License this summer, having enjoyed a glittering playing career in the game.
Capped 72 times by Scotland, Crichton was selected to represent her country at the European Championships in 2017 and FIFA World Cup in 2019.
The former midfielder’s playing career started with spells at Cumbernauld Cosmos and Whitehill Welfare before her first stint at Glasgow City in 2007.
After spells at Celtic and Hibernian, Crichton returned to Petershill Park in 2012 where she helped the side complete a sweep of domestic honours which included an invincible league title triumph.
Notts County of the Women’s Super League came calling in 2015, spending two years south of the border before returning to Glasgow City for a third act.
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Adding to her trophy cabinet with further league and cup success, Crichton was instrumental in the side’s run to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals in 2020.
She joined Motherwell in a player-coach capacity the following year before being appointed as first-team assistant coach at Glasgow City last November.
Speaking upon her appointment as Head Coach, Crichton commented: “I would firstly like to thank the fans for the warm welcome, bringing me into the club and accepting me.
“I just ask them to come on that journey with us. We’ll be an exciting team to watch, a successful team, and for me it’s a huge privilege and honour to be here.
“Rangers are renowned with winning. Second best isn’t acceptable here. For us, the aim and the ambition will be to deliver a successful team on the pitch and that silverware is ultimately the goal.”
Women’s and Girls’ Managing Director, Donald Gillies, continued: “Throughout this process Leanne has been an outstanding candidate.
“Following Jo Potter’s departure, we wanted to take our time and make sure we got the right person to lead the club forward.
“We have an exceptional group of staff that have been fantastic in leading the group in this interim period, and I want to thank them for their continued effort and application.
“We look forward to seeing what Leanne and her coaching team can do with this exciting group of players.”
Sporting Director, Kevin Thelwell, added: “Through the many conversations Donald and I had with Leanne during the recruitment process, her conviction, drive and vision for the club was outstanding.
“Leanne comes to Rangers with immense pedigree in the game as both a former player and emerging coach. She is well-versed in what it takes to build and sustain a winning culture, bringing excellent leadership qualities and a wealth of knowledge in the Scottish game.
"The arrival of Leanne is a continuation of the club's strategy to elevate the women's game, on and off the pitch, with more games than ever before set to be played at Ibrox this season.
“We’re looking forward to getting to work with Leanne as we prepare for an important campaign ahead.”