The Gers continued their remarkable record in this fixture with a five-star performance which was headlined by a brace from Academy graduate Jodi McLeary.
It was her two goals which turned around an early deficit, and when the away side levelled shortly into the second period it proved the inspiration for Hannah Blake to restore the advantage and goals from Katie Wilkinson and Calliste Brookshire to put the icing on the cake.
From the team which battled valiantly against Hammarby in midweek, in came May Cruft, Bailley Collins and Lily Boyce.
The dreary weather in Cumbernauld was in stark contrast to the heat of the opening exchanges as Gry Boe Thrysoe produced a brilliant challenge to deny McAneny.
Calliste Brookshire then fired over the top for Rangers and was made to pay when the visitors opened the scoring.
The home side were caught on their heels from a throw-in as McAneny snuck in at the far post from a cross to nod beyond Jenna Fife.
Leanne Crichton’s side looked to offer an immediate riposte when Bailley Collins had a cross-cum-shot tipped over.
It proved the precursor for the equaliser as, just five minutes later, the Gers pieced together a lovely move.
Laura Berry was at the heart of the attack as her delivery sailed towards the far post where McLeary was lurking in acres of space to plant a brilliant volley beyond Adelaide Gay.
The effervescent McLeary typified the Gers’ growing confidence in the contest, and she was at the double just eight minutes later to complete a rapid turnaround for the home side.
Brookshire was quick to pounce upon a slack pass from Kelly Clark in the Celtic ranks before racing towards goal. The Greek international slowed her momentum just in time to pick out McLeary making up ground to her left whose first-touch was immaculate and her finish expertly rolled through the goalkeeper’s legs.
Rangers had their tails up, and the lively Brookshire almost added a third when a deft stepover manufactured the space for an effort at goal which was unfortunately too close to Gay.
Brookshire ought to have been scratching her head as to how she hadn’t etched her name onto the scoresheet already when she was at the heart of another opportunity following the restart.
Again, the Gers had bodies over when Berry burst down the right-hand side on the break, and her initial pass into the vicinity of Brookshire saw the winger collide with the goalkeeper. The ball broke to Cruft inside the penalty area who was crowded out before Brookshire’s second bite at the cherry was collected by Gay.
However, Rangers were stung down the opposite end when Celtic dug out an equaliser against the run of play.
The danger appeared to be averted when Berry hooked desperately off the goalline, but the away side kept the attack alive when McAneny’s delivery was struck goalwards initially by Shannon McGregor before Chloe Arthur was on hand to knock home the rebound.
The Gers could have been forgiven for dropping their heads, but they were straight back on the proverbial horse as a Katie Wilkinson effort caressed the crossbar before the forward slid wide from a wicked McLeary low cross.
Crichton turned to her substitutes bench minutes later with the introductions of Kirsty Smith and Blake, with the latter making an instant impact.
Nicola Docherty was quick to apply pressure as Celtic attempted to build out, forcing a critical error as Blake pounced in midfield. She raced into the space with only the goalkeeper to beat and was composed in sliding her finish into the bottom corner.
A fourth arrived on 66 minutes for the home side, and it was no more than their play deserved.
An Old Firm very rarely passes without a Wilkinson contribution, and when she stood over a free-kick at the edge of the penalty area her dipping effort sailed into the top corner and out of the reach of Gay at full-stretch.
Broadwood was brought to its feet in appreciation of their players, and it was to get even better just 60 seconds later.
Berry and Smith combined on the right-hand side before the former drove into space in the penalty box. A clever pass into Brookshire allowed the Greek international to shimmy inside and reverse a clever finish into the bottom corner for a fifth of the contest.
RANGERS: Fife, Collins (Smith, 57), Boyce, Roelfsema, Docherty, Cruft, Thrysoe (Blake, 57), McLeary (Hay, 72), Berry, Brookshire (Black, 82), Wilkinson (Hendle, 82)
Subs not used: Rarity, Hill, Austin, Connolly-Jackson
CELTIC: Gay, Robertson, Jordan, Fisher (Gallacher, 80), McGregor (Rabjohn, 69), Clark, Morgan (Walsh, 59), Nakao, Lawson, McAneny, Arthur (Dorran-Barr, 69)
Subs not used: Rodgers, Craig, Howe, Tobin, Luke
