In a game that had a bit of everything, the away side took an early lead through Rio Hardy but couldn’t build on a first half they dominated as Caitlin Hayes’ header cancelled it out as they went in level at the break.
A Katie Wilkinson penalty put the Gers back in front but the visitors were pegged back once again through Saoirse Noonan’s free kick before substitute Chelsea Cornet marked her return from injury with a stunning half volley to claim the points in South Lanarkshire.
Head coach Jo Potter named two changes to the side that booked their place in the Sky Sports Cup semi-finals last weekend. Jenna Fife was back in goal with Kathy Hill in the lineup, the Light Blues were also boosted by the return of Chelsea Cornet to the matchday squad for the first time since August, with the midfielder making a recovery from injury.
Rangers made a really positive start in the second meeting between the two rivals this season. Captain Nicola Docherty was fouled deep down the left side which gave the visitors an early free kick chance. The ball was sent in by Charlie Devlin and met by the head of Kathy Hill, but the defender was denied an early opener with her head as Kelsey Daugherty made a point blank save to keep the ball out.
That quick start was made to count as Rio Hardy popped up with yet another Old Firm derby goal to put the Gers ahead. Playing through midfield Katie Wilkinson initially lost it before she gathered the ball and helped it on to her strike partner. She cut inside from the edge of the area on her left foot with the effort taking a huge deflection as it flew into the far corner beyond Kelsey Daugherty to give the away side the dream start in Hamilton.
The hosts looked to respond and had a half chance fall for Ashworth-Clifford round the back post. Murphy Agnew made a curved run to keep herself onside beyond the Rangers defence, she fired the ball across goal but the full-back could only fire over on the stretch.
Rangers looked to add to their advantage as they continued to probe in search of a second. Again the two strikers combining, Hardy clipped a ball over the top looking for Wilkinson who picked it up inside the area, but her shot heading goalwards was blocked away by Shannon McGregor.
The away side continued to edge the play and were playing some fine stuff in the crisp cold weather in South Lanarkshire. Combination play down the right side involving Jodi McLeary and Kirsty Maclean saw the former find teammate Brogan Hay just inside the area, but her strike was too central to test the Celtic shot stopper.
Potter’s side almost saw their advantage doubled after some hesitation in the Celtic backline. Wilkinson pounced and had her initial bouncing shot saved from close range before the ball broke out for Kirsty Maclean to try her luck on the rebound in the next phase, but again the keeper was level to it before she was fouled and managed to gather at the second attempt.
In a half that was predominately dominated by Rangers, the hosts managed to find an equaliser to level up the contest. A free kick on the left side was sent in by Ashworth-Clifford, it was half cleared before Saoirse Noonan sent it back and it was met by the head of Caitlin Hayes round the back post who headed it into the net from close range, as the two teams went in at the break a goal apiece.
The hosts looked to take momentum from their equaliser as they had the first chance after the restart. Noonan picked it up in an advanced area before finding Lawton, but the full-back could only fire over from a promising position inside the area.
The Gers introduced Chelsea Cornet from the bench as they looked to regain the advantage. Involved straight away a clever piece of skill from Devlin down the right channel set Hardy away. She cut the ball back for the arriving midfielder but the chance went begging as she was crowded out by the bodies in the area.
In the next phase of play however, the Light Blues had a golden chance from the penalty spot as Devlin was brought down by McGregor inside the area. Wilkinson stepped up and dispatched a second spot kick in as many derbies as the Gers retook the lead.
The hosts were on hand to respond once again however as they pegged the Gers back for a second time. A foul on Agnew inside the area saw Noonan step up and fire in well-taken free kick beyond Fife as Celtic levelled up the derby for a second time.
The game turned lively from there on in as there were chances at both ends. A clipped ball over the top by the hosts saw Lawton latch onto it, however the rushing Fife done enough to put her off as she narrowed the angle and the defender fired wide of the target.
Just with the game finely poised a moment of individual quality was soon to arrive as Cornet proved to be the difference maker off the substitutes bench. A loose clearance from Daugherty in the Celtic goal was pounced upon by the midfielder. She flicked the bouncing ball into space and smashed a looping effort on the half volley over the head of the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
Jenna Fife then produced a smart save towards the end to deny the outside of the boot effort from Lawton as Rangers held on for a valuable three points and claimed the city bragging rights after coming out on top in the derby.
CELTIC: Daugherty, Ross (Cavanagh 56), Gallacher (Cross 80), Agnew, McGregor, Clark, Hayes, Noonan, Ashworth-Clifford, Lawton, Costa
SUBS: Barclais, Richardson, Smith, Carstens, Carstens, Cross, Rodgers, McAneny
RANGERS: Fife, Docherty, Eddie, Hill, Hay (Cornet 56), Devlin (McAulay 71), Hardy (Howat 85), Maclean, McLoughlin, McLeary, Wilkinson (Ross 85)
SUBS: Esson, Rafferty, Middag, Arnot, Lafaix