The Gers played out a 2-2 draw with Hearts on home soil this afternoon in a match they trailed for large spells. A quickfire Katie Wilkinson double had the home side on verge of victory before Eilidh Shore claimed a point for the Jambos late on.
Speaking to RangersTV to reflect on the match, she commented: “I think it was one of those games that we are going to come away reeling, for the fact that it is a draw.
“Ultimately we trailed for a huge part of the game but I thought the response, the application and everything that we did in the second half performance.
“I don't think the first half was too far off it I would need to say. I think we just had to take a bit more ownership of the game and really go and get after it but we found ourselves behind.
“In the second half I thought the turnaround was exceptional. I felt the energy and just the real desire to go and do everything that we have been asking them to do.
“I felt the commitment was there all over the pitch.
“Players really looking to go beyond and be the difference makers and when you go and turnaround the scoreline and you get your noses in front the frustration from our part is that we have just been unable to control the game for probably the next five minutes or so would have really gave us the control that we needed in taking the wind out of Hearts' sails.
“Ultimately it is a second phase from a set piece which again you can be really frustrated, but credit to Hearts for going and chasing it and getting themselves back level but for us we will feel disappointed tonight that we have not managed to take all three points.
“We didn't need to say too much to them at half time they understood where we were going wrong, what we needed to do and I thought the turnaround in the second half and the players really going and getting after the game was something that I am really proud of that second half performance.
“It is matchday two in the season, I have not been in the door very long in terms of the work that we are trying to do.
“We are a bit lighter with regards to the squad and where we would like to be. I think the players that were on the pitch today and the ones that came off the bench really went above and beyond and gave us absolutely everything.”
Lizzie Arnot made a huge impact on proceedings providing two assists in the game off the bench, as the boss highlighted the winger’s display and what the team need to improve on moving forward.
She continued: “Arnot’s impact? Really good and probably that mention to Lizzie. I always say to the players to be ready the ones that are on the bench.
“Really watch the game, look at how can influence it when you get that moment.
“It is a very much a squad effort, any game that you go and look to take points in this league it takes everybody.
“Not just the 11 players that start the game and Lizzie did really well last week when she came on and she probably finds herself a little bit unfortunate not to have started this afternoon, but for Lizzie it is case on building on the really good moments as it is for everybody.
“She had a tough season last season and she is a confidence player so those types of moments certainly will do her really well.
“Look there is a couple of moments in terms of the goal from them in the first half comes from our corner and we don't deal with it in terms of the ball coming back out the box.
“We miss judge it, we are caught underneath it and it is that transitional moment.
“A couple of fixes and little bits of detail. I don't think that happens players maybe taking a little bit more responsibility but that is over to us to make sure that we get that message across and that we get the structure right as a staff group in terms of that information.
“The frustrations then is the set piece that brings Hearts back 2-2. There is bits that we can do better, we are disappointed not to have taken the three points.
“I felt that second half performance on its own merited three points but credit the opposition as well.”
Crichton paid tribute to the supporters who turned out on her first home match in charge, hoping to continue to see fans in the outings to come at both Ibrox and Broadwood this season.
She added: “It is all about the fans and as we build and we have more of these games at Ibrox regardless of whether we are here or we're at Broadwood, I want to see the fans with us.
“I know they will be frustrated today that we have not won the game, but I am asking them for that patience and perseverance in where we are going and the direction that we are trying to move and that they get behind the team.
“I would much rather that they fill out the stadium and put pressure on the players to go and perform than the stands be lying empty but real good credit to the fans that came out and for me absolutely a really nice day to be at Ibrox and lead the team.”
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