RANGERS are heading for Hampden after they booked their place in the Women’s Scottish Cup semi-finals with a convincing 6-0 victory over Hibernian this afternoon.
It was a dominant display from Gers, with three goals in four minutes helping to secure a place in this evening’s draw.
Lizzie Arnot, Rachel McLauchlan, Sam Kerr and Brogan Hay were all on target in the first-half before captain Kathryn Hill and Emma Watson added to the scoring after the break.
Malky Thomson named three changes to his side from last weekend’s SWPL victory over Hamilton with captain Kathryn Hill returning from injury to join the starting XI alongside Jenna Fife and Maddie Nolf.
Rangers started at Broadwood with Fife in goal and a back four of Rachel McLauchlan, Kathryn Hill, Lisa Martinez and Maddie Nolf. Tessel Middag, who slotted in at centre-back last weekend returns to midfield, and joined there by Chelsea Cornet and Sam Kerr.
It was the same front three as the previous week for Gers with Kirsty Howat, Brogan Hay and Lizzie Arnot providing the attacking threat.
An early opportunity for Rangers saw Rachel McLauchlan send a dangerous ball into the box in search of Howat and Arnot but they were unable to get a touch to send the cross goalwards.
Benedicte Haaland produced a strong double save shortly after to deny Rangers a breakthrough at Broadwood. Left-back Maddie Nolf was in an advanced position in the box and struck a powerful shot towards goal which was pushed away by the Hibs goalkeeper before she also got a touch on Lizzie Arnot’s rebound effort.
However, just a few minutes later the pressure paid off for Gers as Malky Thomson’s side found the opener. It was a similar scenario, with Chelsea Cornet’s goalbound effort blocked by Haaland, however this time Arnot was able to convert the rebound to give Rangers the advantage in this cup tie after 14 minutes.
Hibs looked for an immediate response as Katie Lockwood raced through on goal but her attempt was gathered comfortably by Jenna Fife before a Leah Eddie free-kick was pushed away by the Rangers number 1.
With half an hour gone, Rangers made it 2-0 in spectacular fashion. Rachel McLauchlan picked the ball up outside the box and with space the Scotland international released an impressive strike from distance which landed in the back of the net.
Gers were in control and managed to add to the scoring less than a minute later. Straight from the kick-off, the ball was played out to Brogan Hay and the winger whipped a perfect ball into the box with Sam Kerr rising well to head beyond Haaland.
In an incredible few minutes for the Light Blues as they were four goals ahead with 33 minutes on the clock. Chelsea Cornet drove to the byline with the ball and cut it back into the box, with Brogan Hay getting on the end of it to send it home for her second Scottish Cup goal of the season.
Eilidh Adams had a shot over for Hibs late in the first-half as they looked for a goal back in this cup tie.
Into the second-half, Rangers continued to dominate with captain Kathryn Hill getting on the scoresheet on her return from injury. A ball was swung into the box by Sam Kerr and Hill was able to get a strong connection to head high into the back of the net to make it 5-0.
Substitutes Jenny Danielsson and Emma Watson combined shortly after with the latter getting an effort away at goal, but she was denied by Haaland who did enough to touch the ball over the crossbar.
The Light Blues were awarded a penalty in the 79th minute as Emma Watson was fouled just inside the box as she made a darting run towards goal. It was the 17-year-old who stepped up to the spot and was composed as she sent Haaland the wrong way to give Rangers a six-goal advantage.
Rangers will find out their semi-final opponents this evening when the draw is made at Hampden at 7pm with Glasgow City, Motherwell and Celtic making up the final four in the competition.
RANGERS: Fife, McLauchlan, Hill, Martinez, Nolf, Middag (Maclean 54), Cornet, Kerr (Danielsson, 63), Hay (Bell, 63), Arnot (Watson, 50), Howat (McCoy, 54).
Subs not used: Esson, McLeary, Docherty, Davison.
Hibs: Haaland, Leishman, Parry, Eddie, Hinds, McAlonie, Adams (Mustafa, 72), Lockwood (Nunn) Notely, Murray, Lawson (Morrison, 63).
Subs: Kosinska, Hunter, Tweedie, Kuyken, Nunn, Morrison.