Playing in the famous ground for the first time this season Rio Hardy’s second half goal from the substitutes bench cancelled out Emily Whelan’s opener as the two teams shared the spoils in the top of the table clash.
Head coach Jo Potter named two changes to her starting side from the win over Motherwell last weekend, with Kirsty Howat and Lizzie Arnot in from the off in place of Hardy and Eilidh Austin.
There was also a boost for the Gers prior to kick with the return of Kirsty Maclean, who appeared in a matchday squad for the first time since August 25 after recovering from injury.
Both sides looked to make a fast start but it was Glasgow City who went closest early on. A slack pass from Nicola Docherty gave Brenna Lovera a chance, a sliding challenge from Kathy Hill ricochet off her teammate which forced goalkeeper Jenna Fife into a stop to save her side from going behind.
The Gers then had their first opening moments later. Charlie Devlin on her Ibrox debut moved it on to Kirsty Howat, she acknowledged Katie Wilkinson on the edge of the area but she fired wide of the mark.
After settling into proceedings the better of the two teams it was Glasgow City who took the lead. Brenna Lovera, who was impressing early on, carried the ball from inside her own half whilst riding several challenges, making her way into the box it broke to Emily Whelan after a sliding Hill challenge as she was able to turn the ball into the back of the net to put the away side in front.
Leanne Ross’ side looked to take further confidence from going ahead. On the edge of the area, the space opened up for the goalscorer Whelan but her effort flew over the bar as they looked for a quickfire second.
A corner then presented the next opening for the visitors who were seeking out their second win in the famous stadium. Lisa Evans was over to help in a two versus one situation with the Scotland international then creating the space to get a shot away, but she cut across it without troubling Fife.
Rangers looked for a response before the break with arguably their best chance yet. Tessel Middag picked it up on the edge of the box before moving it to Liv McLoughlin. Defender Leah Eddie joined in where her shot almost turned into the perfect pass for the unmarked Wilkinson in the area, but her diverted effort went wide of the target.
The Light Blues had Fife to thank to stop them from going further behind. A delivery from the right was met by Lovera inside the box, but the goalkeeper made a smart stop at the near post as it remained City in front who went in at the break a goal ahead.
Rangers looked to respond in the second half and come out firing. Devlin picked the ball up in space in the opposing half and spotted McAulay in space to her right, but the winger hesitated rather than shooting before being crowded out the situation.
There was more encouraging signs for Rangers with Kirsty Maclean looking lively after coming off the bench. Kirsty Howat played a ball round the corner which was collected by McAulay, her delivery was met by Wilkinson but her header was denied by the City stopper at the second attempt.
Rio Hardy was introduced alongside Brogan Hay as she made an impact on proceedings straight away. Working an opening for herself the striker managed to get a shot on goal away on her left foot before it was beaten away by Gibson, with the covering Kimberley Smit able to clear.
The hosts then got their reward for an improved second half showing as Rio Hardy was on hand to level up proceedings. A ball into the box was picked up by Katie Wilkinson, she showed good composure to spot her strike partner inside the area, she picked her out as she dispatched it beyond Gibson to fire in the equaliser in front of the home faithful.
They then almost flipped the match on its head as Hardy had another chance just moments later. Hardy won it high; she raced in on goal but hesitated before attempting to square it to Wilkinson before Smit made a goal saving challenge on the slid.
At the other end, City looked to recompose themselves in the match as Lovera had a chance to fire them back in front. A mistake in the backline allowed the striker a shot at goal inside the area, but Hill did well to make a block on the cover.
Towards the end, a ball was played through by the visitors towards substitute Nicole Kozlova. The angle was tight as she looked to fire it at the empty net at the angle, but Leah Eddie did enough to put her off as she missed the target.
There was a half chance for Hardy towards the end before Smit was on hand to defend the situation well once again as the two teams couldn’t be separated as the Gers now turn their attentions to the final fixture before the international break when they take on Hibs away next weekend.
RANGERS: Fife, Docherty, Eddie, Hill, Middag (Maclean 45), Devlin (Hardy 61), Howat, McAulay (McLeary 90+1), Arnot (Hay 61), McLoughlin, Wilkinson (Ross 81)
SUBS: Esson, Rafferty, Bell, Lafaix
GLASGOW CITY: Gibson, Muir, Fulton (Lockwood 73), Lovera (Kozlova 81), Whelan, Anderson, Gambone (Wrobel 90+1), Evans, Smit, Maata, Diemen
SUBS: Easdon, Warrington, Lauder, Walsh, Forsblom, Forrest