The former Scotland international has been a champion of the Women’s game throughout her distinguished career as a player and now steps into a head coaching role for the first time after experience on the touchline with Motherwell and Glasgow City.
It has been a summer of change at the club, with Russell Martin having been appointed Men's first-team Head Coach in June, and Crichton says she can’t wait to sample the Ibrox atmosphere in front of the loyal supporters.
In her first interview with RangersTV after being appointed, she said: “Ibrox as a venue is unbelievable and it’s renowned in world football.
“What a venue to create that matchday experience and get more numbers through the door. Hopefully, when they see the team and what that transition will look like on the pitch, both the team and venue will be coupled together really nicely.
“When you look at the academy structure at clubs, the players and opportunities in full-time environments within Scotland, the visualisation is growing every season. And that’s down to clubs like Rangers and others that are doing that to promote the Women’s game and make it better.
“But I don’t even think we’ve scratched the surface yet, and for me, that is the real excitement around this job and opportunity.
“It’s been so good and come so far in such a short space of time, but there is still so much more to achieve.”
Crichton succeeds Jo Potter as Head Coach, who departed the club in the summer after delivering successive cup doubles during her time in charge.
It has been a thorough and diligent process in finding a successor, with Donald Gillies, Women’s and Girls’ Managing Director, saying that “…in an exceptional pool of talent who applied for the job, Leanne continually showed the qualities we are looking for.”
Crichton said of the discussions with the club over the summer: “It was light contact initially.
“I spoke to Donald Gillies about the availability of the position, and once we worked through the process and began to have the conversation in terms of my philosophy, the club’s philosophy, and the ambitions, we quite quickly realised there was alignment. From there, it was pretty seamless.
“It’s been a journey that I’ve been working on now for what feels like a lot longer than it actually has been.
“The head coach position is something that I’ve been moving towards quite rapidly, and I’ve recently completed my UEFA Pro License and that has certainly given me the skills to believe that would be the next step in the journey.
“It’s a total privilege for me to be here, especially with everything that’s going on at the club fairly recently.”
The SWPL season kicks off on Sunday, August 17, with the Gers facing a trip north to square off against Montrose at Links Park.
It has been a tale of near-misses for the Light Blues in the context of the league in recent years, and Crichton admits she’s determined to restore the side to the summit of the game in Scotland.
She added: “The Women’s side are a successful team. Rangers is a global brand as well, so to be part of that and be the person leading the Women’s team is such a privilege and honour.
“When you look at the one percent and the differences which can be made to take the team to the next step, the real ambition is we can take the next step.
“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.”
Watch the interview in full with Head Coach Leanne Crichton below.