The hosts went ahead through a Chloe Craig penalty before Rangers turned the match on it’s head with goals from Kathy Hill and Kirsty Maclean. A second spot kick from Craig looked set to send the match into extra-time before a Rio Hardy penalty in the last kick of the evening saw the Gers progress to the final for the second season running.
Head coach Jo Potter named four changes to the side that ran out comfortable winners on their return to league action last weekend, Brogan Hay, Lizzie Arnot, Rachel Rowe and Rio Hardy all came into the starting side as the Gers looked for a second win over their rivals this season.
Rangers looked to start on the front foot in Airdrie. A strong Kathy Hill challenge on the halfway line saw the visitors change over possession, clever link up play involving Hay and Jane Ross saw the latter set free in space down the right side but got her delivery wrong.
Another changeover inside the Celtic half saw the Gers win the ball high as their early pressing was effective. Rachel Rowe had a chance this time from the edge of the area but she dragged her shot wide of the target.
Kelly Clark had an effort cleared off the line by Hill as the hosts had their first chance of the game. A corner kick delivery was punched by Victoria Esson into the sky before the defender made contact on the volley, but the centre-back did well to get back on the cover.
The Gers started the brighter and looked to make the most of their early spell. Lizzie Arnot did well down the left side to clip a delivery in which Rio Hardy challenged for. The ball broke to Ross but her shot on the spin was blocked as the away side continued to probe.
The Light Blues went agonisingly close to going in front. After clever play initially Kirsty Maclean with her backheel playing in Arnot, the winger drove down the flank and cut the ball back for Rowe. The Wales international shifted the ball onto her left inside the area, but her effort flashed past the far post with Kelsey Daugherty in the Celtic goal beaten.
Another chance went begging as Rangers were well on top in the cup tie. Brogan Hay skipped past Chloe Craig with ease down the flank before her deep cross broke for Chelsea Cornet on the edge of the area, but the midfielder cut across her shot which flew over.
Celya Barclais had a real chance to put the hosts ahead just shy of the 25-minute mark. Amy Gallacher was set free down the channel before her cross was deflected into the path of the winger, but her effort on the volley went wide of the target from close range.
Rowe was causing serious problems for the Celtic backline as she went close once again. After receiving the ball inside her own half she drove into the final third shrugging of the challenge of Cavanagh before unleashing an excellent strike that came back off the bar.
Despite having the better of the play the Gers were unable to find the breakthrough as the game approached 10 minutes to the interval. Rio Hardy looked to set Arnot free before the cut out pass fell back to the striker, but she lashed at her effort from outside the area as it went wide of the mark.
There were few clear-cut chances after that period as the sides went in at the interval locked level despite the away side having the better of the play inside the opening 45 minutes.
The Gers looked to continue in their positive manner after the restart as they had a chance inside 2 minutes. Rowe spun away from Craig in the left-back area before her cutback found the arriving Cornet, but her shot lacked the desired power as it landed in the arms of Daugherty.
Shen Menglu looked to create an opening for the hosts from a position down the left channel. She skipped past the challenge of both Hay and Hill but her effort left Esson untroubled as she saw wide of her left post.
After a period of play with little chances the hosts had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock. A free kick delivery was sent in before the referee deemed Paula Partido Duran’s effort to strike the arm of Kathy Hill as the referee pointed to the spot. Chloe Craig stepped up and dispatched the spot kick beyond Esson to give the hosts the lead in Airdrie.
The Gers looked for a quick response as they went in search of an equaliser. Rowe was continuously finding herself in promising areas but the away side were unable to create anything clear-cut after falling behind as the game reached the hour-mark.
Rio Hardy was next to go close as Jo Potter’s side ramped up the pressure. Arnot’s delivery was met by the striker which Daugherty saved on two occasions as she couldn’t quite turn the ball over the line.
In the next phase of play the Gers got their reward as Kathryn Hill tapped home an equaliser to level up the cup tie at the Excelsior Stadium. A free-kick was sent into the area which was met by Hardy, her pass back towards the penalty spot was volleyed by Rowe before the ball broke to the edge of the area through a sea of bodies. Cornet’s shot was blocked before it fell for Hill to turn it over the line at the far post as the Gers got back on level terms.
A period of play without any clear openings at both ends was to follow as the game headed towards the final 10 minutes.
However, just as the match entered that stage of the game, the Gers turned things round and got themselves in front. Rio Hardy found herself set free down the right flank after making a peeling run, she cut the ball back for Kirsty Maclean who composed herself before firing an expertly placed shot into the far corner as Rangers went ahead for the first time.
As the away side looked set to book their place in the final for the second season running, the hosts were awarded the chance to find a response right at the end. After a scramble on the edge of the area substitute Jenny Smith was played through inside the area before the referee pointed to the spot for the second time after she was brought down by Tessel Middag. Chloe Craig stepped up and levelled up the tie towards the end.
Just as the game looked destined for extra time, the Gers were awarded a spot kick themselves. A ball was slipped through towards Hardy who was brought down inside the area by Caitlin Hayes. The striker stepped up and dispatched the spot kick to send Rangers into the Sky Sports Cup final with virtually the last kick of the game.
CELTIC: Daugherty, Barclais, Ross (Agnew 65), Craig, Gallacher, Mengyu, Cavanagh (Goldie 84), Clark, Hayes, Partido Duran (Smith 84), Menglu (Ashworth-Clifford 65)
SUBS: Logan, Cummings, Burchill, Sharkey, McAneny
RANGERS: Esson, Hill (McLauchlan 79), Middag, Docherty, Hay (McAulay 70), Cornet, Maclean, Arnot, Rowe, Hardy, Ross (Ewens 79)
SUBS: Fife, Bell, Austin, McLoughlin, McLeary, Colson