LEANNE CRICHTON says it was a vital three points for her side on an evening they weren’t at their best.
Rangers returned to winning ways following Sunday’s cup final defeat by registering a 1-0 win over Partick Thistle in league action thanks to a Kim Shin Ji goal.
Speaking to RangersTV to reflect on their midweek victory, she commented: “It was definitely not our best night, I think I can be honest enough to say that.
“It was always going to be not tough because you can credit us in terms of the season and where we are and where we have come from and where we think we can get too.
“Coming off the back of the weekend and the disappointment, the frustration.
“I know it is a throwaway one and it is probably easy enough to say but it’s taken its toll over the last couple of weeks and the magnitude of the games and the effort from everybody involved so there was no guarantee that tonight was going to be perfect.
“It was a slow start, it wasn't by any means perfect or free flowing then we eventually get the breakthrough, get our noses in front.
“Which is great that is the goal you need and at times you feel that will be what settles you and calms you down and it probably wasn't for the want of trying tonight I just don't think we got to the levels that we have found at times.
“Certainly in the games against Partick Thistle this season.
“We have managed to find a little bit of comfort in the game quite quickly, they have changed a fair bit as well, they made it stuffy, difficult, really well organised, defended their box exceptionally well.
“When you look at the stats in corners and final third and penalty box entries and whatever it looked like, but for us it just lacked a cutting edge tonight.
“We are really pleased that we have still come away with three points, clean sheet and a really important three points when you look at the split and how tightly contested it is and how much it changes game by game.”
The former Scotland international credited the goalscorer on a night the South Korean was the difference maker with a first half volley beyond Jennifer Currie in the Thistle goal.
She continued: “Those are the moments we speak about, midfielders locking the box, second phase off of set pieces, being really aggressive.
“Shin Ji is an unbelievable player; she has been outstanding for us this season.
“Goals is probably the one thing if you were to be critical and want more from her it is goals.
“She has been threatening over the last couple of weeks that she was going to go and try add to her tally so it was great that happened tonight and just a shame that we couldn't capitalise on it and certainly add to the goal.
“Second half I think we were more than dominant, we wanted a response at half time, we spoke about that we wanted more energy.
“We wanted to see more build-up play down one side, switching through the middle of the pitch, hitting the opposite sides.
“We got there in the second half but again just couldn't find the breakthrough but that is probably huge credit to Partick Thistle as I say how they defended their box.”
The Gers will now ready themselves for the penultimate league derby of the campaign on Monday with Crichton says her side will be fully equipped to try come out on top in the fixture once again this season.
She added: “It is the Old Firm so you are pretty ready and good to go as is.
“You just need to speak about that fixture and everybody has got the tails up.
“We will give them a couple of days off, hopefully they can rest and recharge them, some will be in tomorrow and do a little bit extra.
“Those that need a bit of treatment off the back of the last couple of games will do that and then we'll have a good strong two-day lead into Celtic.
“We are looking forward to it; we know the other games will play out on Sunday so we have got an opportunity to hopefully watch some of that and see the games that will come after the international break for us a staff group but we are really focused on the next game.
“That is all you can ever do in this league and how tight it is.
“A couple of months ago if we had been given this opportunity and thought we would find ourselves in this spot we'd absolutely have taken your hand off for it.
“We are in a good spot but we can't get too far ahead of ourselves we know how quickly things can change and we are just looking up the table and trying to keep on the coattails of the teams that are leading.”
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