RANGERS played out a 1-1 draw with rivals Celtic in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League at Ibrox Stadium this afternoon.
After a fast start and chances for the hosts they were unable to find the breakthrough as the teams went at the break goalless.
The away side started the second half well and went ahead through Natasha Flint almost immediately after the restart.
The Gers introduced Mia McAulay who found the back of the net with her first touch to level up proceedings as both teams pushed for a late equaliser but had to settle for a point in the end as they now head into the international break.
Head coach Jo Potter named two changes to the side that were held to a goalless draw with Partick Thistle in their last outing. Rio Hardy and Brogan Hay came into the team in place of Sarah Ewens and Mia McAulay.
Rangers almost got off to the dream start on derby day. Brogan Hay picked up the ball on the right channel, she sent a delivery into the area which was brought down expertly by Jane Ross. The striker with a yard of space took a shot at goal which whistled just past the near post inside the opening minutes.
The Gers had started lively and threatened to take an early lead. It was Hay and Ross again involved this time the winger bringing down a cross inside the area. Her attempt landed at the feet of the striker who spun and shot with her effort tipped onto the crossbar by Kelsey Daugherty before Rio Hardy’s looping header on the rebound landed on the roof of the net.
Celtic registered their first effort of the afternoon. Kit Loferski was set down the flank with Tessel Middag for company, the forward managed to send a cross into the area which was met on the volley by Amy Gallacher, but the effort was tame and claimed by Jenna Fife.
A prolonged period of possession with no chances was to follow for a long spell in the game. Rachel Rowe almost profited from a long ball as she beat Kelly Clark and got there first, but the Celtic goalkeeper was alert as she rushed out her goal to clear the danger.
Natalie Ross was next to try her luck with the first clear effort for quite some time. The away side worked the ball well down the right side before the midfielder found space on the edge of the area, but her left footed effort was comfortable for Fife who held.
Natasha Flint had Celtic’s best effort of the game right on the stroke of half time but she dragged her effort wide of the target as the teams went at the half time interval goalless at Ibrox.
It was the away side who started the second half quickly as they opened the scoring almost immediately after the restart. Loferski was sent free down the channel as she played the ball inside to Gallacher, she acknowledged Flint well placed inside the area who made no mistake as she finished the ball into the bottom left corner to put Celtic ahead.
After a period of 10 minutes with no clear chances, the Gers almost found a response. Lizzie Arnot worked a delivery well which was met by the head of Hardy inside the area, her effort came back off the post before Ross’ effort on the rebound was blocked as the Light Blues looked to up the intensity.
Just as Rangers mounted some pressure it was Celtic who had a golden chance to double their lead. Menglu Shen benefitted from a long ball which wasn’t dealt with by the Gers backline, her pass found Flint once again inside the area who steadied herself but dragged her effort wide of the far post and wasted the chance to make it two, with the game starting to open up at both ends.
Rangers made a double substitution and it had an immediate impact on the game. A long ball was brought down well by Rowe, she acknowledged Miia McAulay who had just been introduced, she needed just one touch to fire the ball beyond Daugherty and level up the scoring at Ibrox.
The two wingers combined to almost fire Rangers ahead. Hay did brilliantly to stand up the full-back before a nutmeg and a cross was to follow, McAulay met the delivery on the half volley but fired it over the top of the crossbar.
Substitute Murphy Agnew had a one on one chance well kept out by Fife before Rangers almost won it at the other end themselves. Jane Ross latched onto a long ball which wasn’t dealt with by Hayes, she took it round the goalkeeper but her effort was kept out by a combination of the defender and goalkeeper Daugherty.
There were half chances at both ends in the final stages but neither side were able to find a second as the Gers had to settle for a second point in succession as they now head into the international break and are next in action in two weeks time.
RANGERS: Fife, Docherty, Hill, Middag, Hay (McLeary 82), Rowe, Hardy (Ewens 68), Ross, Arnot (McAulay 68), Cornet, McLoughlin
SUBS: Cunningham, Austin, Martinez
CELTIC: Daugherty, Ross, Craig, Gallacher (Smith 80), Shen, Clark, Hayes, Partido (Barclais 90+2), Loferski (Agnew 69), Flint, Shen (Ashworth-Clifford 69)
SUBS: Logan, Cummings, Cavanagh, McAneny, Addi