RANGERS completed an undefeated Park’s Motor Group SWPL 1 season this afternoon as the Champions ended the campaign with a 3-1 Old Firm derby victory.
A week on from lifting an historic league title, Malky Thomson’s side rounded off their campaign with an impressive display at Petershill.
The result means Rangers have won 25 matches and drawn just 2 of their 27 league fixtures in an incredible campaign for the squad.
A Jane Ross double either side of a fantastic Demi Vance free-kick saw Rangers 3-0 ahead at the break in this afternoon’s derby before Caitlin Hayes got one back for the hosts in the second-half.
From last weekend’s match against Glasgow City, youngster Emma Watson came into the side for her first league start with Chelsea Cornet and Ciara Grant also in the starting XI.
That meant Rangers lined-up with Jenna Fife in goal and a back four of Demi Vance, Brianna Westrup, Chantelle Swaby and Nicola Docherty.
Chelsea Cornet, Kirsten Reilly and Ciara Grant were in midfield, with Emma Watson and Brogan Hay supporting striker Jane Ross.
With four minutes on the clock, Emma Watson saw a shot go just wide of the Celtic post before a lovely ball over the top released Brogan Hay through on goal, she lifted an effort over the keeper but it was just too high of the target and looped over the bar.
It was a lively start at Petershill as Charlie Wellings cut the ball back to Mengyu Shen but her low strike was held by Jenna Fife.
At the other end, Brogan Hay’s dangerous ball across the face of goal met left-back Demi Vance but her shot was blocked by the goalkeeper.
With 10 minutes on the clock, Rangers had the breakthrough. It was a stray pass from Celtic inside their own half which Jane Ross was alert to pounce on. The striker turned before drilling a low right-footed shot beyond Rachael Johnstone and into the back of the net.
It was a fantastic start at Petershill as the Light Blues doubled their advantage just over 5 minutes later. Rangers were awarded a free-kick just outside the box as Brogan Hay was fouled by Cheyenne Shorts.
Demi Vance stepped-up to take the set-piece and the Northern Ireland international struck the ball perfectly to curl it beyond Johntsone for her fourth goal of the season.
Rangers were dominating this Old Firm derby and almost made it three shortly after as Vance and Ross linked-up well with Ross’ effort from close range being blocked by the feet of the Celtic goalkeeper.
The Champions were relentless and made it 3-0 inside the opening half an hour of this match. Vance again found space down the left to deliver a dangerous ball into the box, and this time Johnstone couldn’t stop Jane Ross as she netted her second of the afternoon.
Jenna Fife pulled off a fantastic save on the stroke of half-time to deny Celtic a first-half goal as the goalkeeper managed to get a foot to a shot Isibeal Atkinson before the danger was cleared by Demi Vance.
Into the second-half, the hosts came out looking for a road back into this game and managed to get a goal on the 52nd minute as Caitlin Hayes headed home from a corner.
The hosts took confidence from this and Jenna Fife pulled off a fantastic save just a minute later to block a close range shot from Charlie Wellings.
Jodie Bartle had a header towards goal as the home side looked for a second but her effort was blocked before the ball was gathered by Jenna Fife.
RANGERS: Fife, Vance, Westrup, Swaby, Docherty, Reilly, Cornet, Watson, Grant, Ross (Brownlie, 89), Hay (McCoy, 64).
Subs: Cunningham, Arnth, Middag, Arnot, Kerr.
Celtic: Bartle, Shorts, Craig, Shen, Chance, Harkes, Clark, Atkinson, Hayes, Wellings, Johnstone.
Subs: Ross, Toland, Gros, Warrington, Bowie, Marwaha, Timoney.
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