In the last four clashes in the Sky Sports Cup, Rangers host their city rivals as they look to take a step closer to retaining the trophy they have won in each of the past three seasons.
Speaking to RangersTV to preview the latest meeting between the teams, the Head Coach believes there is a good feeling in the squad where they will seek a third derby success of the campaign, she said: “It is really exciting, the last number of weeks have probably been good preparation for this type of game.
“Just the magnitude of it and a little bit more pressure, as you know, the league and how domestically things start to ramp up at this time of the year.
“We feel we are in a good spot, so another big game to round off the week.
“They are the ones that you enjoy the most. Other games throughout the season, you are almost just ticking them off, so you can get to these types of games.
“Quarter-finals, semi-finals, finals, whatever it might be. We are excited for that, I think the group are, we have been on a really good trajectory throughout the season.
“Performance-wise and personnel, we are getting stronger week on week. It is another opportunity to go and take that next step.
“Hopefully, we can get ourselves into a domestic cup final, which is obviously the objective.
“We know the cups have been really good to us over the last number of seasons. There has been so much enjoyment and success that has come from it.
“For us, it is an opportunity to just go again and hopefully get ourselves back there.”
The Gers have claimed the city bragging rights in both SPWPL meetings this campaign, with the former Scotland international saying what she believes has been key to their success in the fixture this term.
She continued: “I think that type of game, for whatever reason, even in the kind of early stage of the season when we weren't at full strength and we were relying on players to go week on week without there being too much rotation.
“Really limited in terms of the squad depth as well, the Old Firm game was certainly one of the games, probably the main one that the players really got themselves up for.
“They thrive in that fixture, they really enjoy it, and I know that comes from the affiliation that so many of the players have got and that they understand what the fixture means.
“It might be a little bit about that, but I also think technically and tactically we were spot on in certain points, and these games are won and lost in both boxes.
“Thankfully for us, we took our chances when they came, we overcame a fair bit of adversity, I think at Ibrox as well and managed to get ourselves in front and ultimately go on to win the game.
“We know Sunday will be no different; there will be a few twists and turns, I would imagine, with it potentially going to extra time and all the way.
“The group are growing in confidence every week, whether it is through performances and results or just that opportunity to look to the person next to you and know that they are there to go and back you up, which I keep saying we have not had that luxury all season.
“It feels like there is a real togetherness now, both on and off the pitch.”
Several of the Rangers squad have been in a similar position in the competition that has served them well in recent campaigns. Crichton believes players can use that with a mixture of the youth experiencing an occasion like this for the first time to get them over the line.
She added: “The experience helps; you try and lean on that as much as you can, but also what I think is good about the squad just now is the kind of freshness about it as well.
“There has been so much transition since last season, so as much as you look at it and say this team was successful over the last number of seasons in terms of the back-to-back doubles in cup competitions, there has been so much change, and that has been really good for the group this season.
“I think what we have got just now is a group that is really hungry for new success, and hopefully that shows come the weekend.”
You can secure your seat to help the Gers book themselves in the Sky Sports Cup final here, kicking off at 13:40 at Broadwood this Sunday.
VIP HOSPITALITY: Combining all the passion, excitement and joy of football with an unrivalled choice of suites and packages, a matchday at Ibrox can be exactly what you want it to be
RANGERS STORE: Shop all the latest offers at the Rangers Store in-store or online
TICKETS: Secure your match tickets for women’s first-team games at Ibrox Stadium and Broadwood Stadium