It was a sunny evening at Heriot Watt University as the Gers looked to start their pre-season friendly in a positive manner ahead of the new league campaign that begins next month.
Rangers lined-up with Lucy Inman in goals and a back four of Nicola Docherty, Kathryn Hill, Georgie Gray, Rachel McLauchlan.
Chelsea Cornet was joined in midfield by Brogan Hay and Dina Orschmann, while Sam Kerr and Lizzie Arnot supported Jane Ross up front.
Rangers started with intent from the referee’s first whistle with Ross delivering the first opportunity on goal less than a minute from kick-off. The versatile striker collected the ball on the edge of the Hearts box and sent a dangerous effort towards the goal, but it fell agonisingly wide of the back post.
The Light Blues tried to maintain this early momentum as they looked to take the advantage and push towards Lisa Rodgers in goals to break the deadlock.
On the 10-minute mark, Thomson’s side were awarded a free-kick a few yards from the edge of the box. It was new signing Orschmann who sent a ferocious strike towards the goal, but her effort fell just wide of the post.
McLauchlan then linked up well with Ross to create some lovely build-up play in the home side’s final third. McLauchlan threaded a superb ball to the striker in a congested box, but Ross was just unable to get a good connection with the delivery.
Hearts did begin to find some momentum when Erin Rennie created their first real chance at the back post, but the Gers backline did well to intercept and break down the attack.
Brogan Hay did well to weave her way into the home side’s final third and sent a fantastic effort towards the Hearts goal, but the keeper managed to get a hand to her strike and deny Rangers the opener. As Thomson’s side headed into the second half, the squad carried good pace and momentum to try and gain the opening goal.
The Gers didn’t have long to wait though after Ross netted the first goal of the evening in the 51st minute. Recent signing, Hill, delivered a sensational pass from her own half to an on running Ross breaking past two defenders. The striker took an excellent first touch to gain control of the ball and sent a low effort across the face of goal past Rodgers.
Rangers looked to build on this breakthrough as they continued to break down the Hearts defence and push for a second, and it was Arnot who gave Rangers a two-goal lead.
After great build-up play to work her way into the Hearts penalty area, the Ger found some space in the congested box to strike the ball past the Hearts keeper.
A number of Academy players came on the pitch to replace some of the starting eleven and impressed with their pace to try and find the third of the night.
In the closing minutes of the game, youngster Mason Clark, had a close opportunity to gain a third for the Gers.
The young Ger did well to collect the ball in front of the goal and took a touch to get her strike away, but the keeper did well block her effort to end the score 2-0.
RANGERS: Inman, Docherty (McMillan, 65), Hill (Wilkinson, 65), Gray (Laird, 65), Hay (Logan, 65), Orschmann (Clark, 65), McLauchlan (McLeary, 31), Ross (Berry, 65), Arnot, Cornet (MacLean, 31), Kerr (Taylor, 65).
SUBS: Watson.
HEARTS: Rodgers, Ronaldson, Brownlie, Hunter, Grant, Timms, Smith, Anderson, Rennie (Handley, 28), McAllister, Cowan.
SUBS: Parker-Smith, Penman, Kaney, Aitchison, Birse, Rood, Davies, Browning.
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RANGERSTV: Don’t forget the Gers’ upcoming friendlies with Blackpool, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur are all live on RangersTV. You can purchase this Saturday's match against Blackpool for £5.99 or our pre-season pass is available for £9 here on RangersTV.
SEASON 22/23 HOME KIT: Our new home kit, inspired by some of our most iconic retro shirts, is now available. Available in a number of size options in-store and online. More than Ready.
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