LEANNE CRICHTON was pleased to see her squad produce a vital three points in league action tonight.
After Friday’s setback, Rangers responded with victory over Hibs to keep pace at the top end of the SPWPL table.
Speaking to RangersTV after the 1-0 success at Broadwood, she said: “It is a massive three points, just really pleased that we have managed to see it through.
“Not an enjoyable game of football if I am being perfectly honest, certain bits of the quality that I didn't enjoy.
“Just a really poor advert I think for the women's game if I am being honest and I am not speaking about the players.
“I thought both players went at it hammer and tongs to fight for three points and fortunately for us we are the team that came out with the three points.
“Massive for the group to bounce back from real disappointment after Friday but with this group and these types of interviews post-match a number of times this season when it has really been backs against the wall and we have had to come out fighting and we've had to really show up we have managed to do that and I couldn't be prouder of the players tonight.
“I think they have absolutely shown that in abundance tonight. Horrible game of football, not easy on the eye but they managed to come away with three points and for that I am absolutely delighted.”
The former Scotland international was proud of her players for standing up in decisive moments to get a big three points over the line to cut the gap to four at the top with three matches remaining.
She continued: “The game was so unpredictable. I have never watched a game of football in my entire career that has been so unpredictable.
“I couldn't have told you at points what decision was coming, what was going to be made, what type of challenge was going to be punished.
“What type of challenge was going to be unpunished. Really cruel actually for the players to have to endure that but the reality is we had to win tonight and we knew that we had to win.
“We had to try stay in the fight and we have managed to do that.
“We have gave ourselves the slimmest of chances in terms of what is a title race just now but for us we are focused on every three points and trying to keep the pressure on the teams above us and we had to stand up and be counted tonight and we have managed to do that really well.
“Every single player, we knew how much pressure was on us tonight. We know these types of games and how tough they are and Hibs are a real tough nut to crack and we always knew it was going to be hammer and tongs and both sides having to go at it.
“We had to change the team, we knew even with starting with Kathy [Hill] as pleased as were that we were going to need to change it at some point.
“Losing Raff as early on in the game, Jodi [McLeary] coming in and slotting in. Eilidh [Austin] having to go back in to centre-back.
“We have had to reshuffle the pack, we've had to change the system, we've had to look at a number of things and the players throughout the night were super agile in terms of their response.
“They were absolutely tuned in, because they understood the importance of the three points and they have managed to get us over the line.
“I have not said it too many times post-match, but I could not be any prouder of that group of players tonight I thought they were absolutely fantastic.”
Attention now turns to this Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final for the Gers as they to take a step close to retaining the trophy once again, with Crichton saying it’s a fixture they have been looking forward to rolling around.
She added: “It is a really good opportunity, a game that we will look forward to.
“Absolute respect in terms of our opponent who we'll go up against.
“It is one that we have been looking forward too for a long time and we've had to wait a long time for this fixture to come round and hopefully it is one that we go and express ourselves.
“Play a bit more football than probably what we seen tonight at certain points and look to try get ourselves to a cup final which would be an excellent achievement again for the group.”
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