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The Herald Scotland
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Rangers Women ensure Scottish Cup sunshine after a storm
This was a win at a canter. Rangers' tears from last weekend were used as the catalyst to get their hands on the final trophy of the season. It enables Jo Potter to claim both cups on offer – and she was keen to underline that she has won four trophies out of six across her two years – but there will still be a lingering sense that the title remains elusive. Mia McAulay got Rangers up and running in the opening half before Kirsty Howat scored either side of the interval. To rub salt in the wound, City finished the game with ten players on the pitch with defender Samantha Van Diemen dismissed after VAR intervened to upgrade a yellow card to a red with ten minutes of the game remaining. Leanne Ross watched her side claim second spot last weekend and with it take the second Champions League place. Again, though, the league failure was always going to linger. That failure is compounded now with yesterday's defeat which confines City to back-to-back seasons without a trophy. For a club who have dominated the landscape of Scottish football for so long, there is no question that it will sting across the next few months. As will the manner of this performance. They were conspicuous by their absence against Rangers with no stage of the game offering a suggestion that they were capable of gaining any kind of momentum. By the time that McAulay had put Rangers in front, Potter's side had twice hit the woodwork. Read more: Steven Gerrard spotted at Anfield amid Rangers speculation Rangers Women 3-0 Glasgow City: Howat on target twice in Scottish Cup final win It was a warning that City had failed to heed with McAulay sclaffing an effort off the outside of the post in the opening stages before Kathy Hill had whacked a header off the bar. McAulay's opener came as Van Diemen – arguably her poorest game of the season- came brought the ball out of defence but her pass was cut out. McAulay eluded the challenge from Claire Walsh before spearing a right-footed diagonal effort low into the bottom corner. Gers skipper Nicola Docherty was forced off shortly after the opener. Injured in the opening minutes after a collision with Amy Muir as both players slid in and Docherty appeared to take a knee to the face, the full-back was forced off, clearly upset at the manner in which her afternoon was prematurely ended. It no impact on Rangers' dominance. City hit the crossbar through Natalia Wrobel before Rangers added a second. Katie Wilksinson was the architect, whipping a ball into the feet of Kirsty Howat. She brought it down, sent van Diemen the wrong way with a slight feint before turned and driving a low effort beyond Gibson. It could have been game over for the Petershill side. Gibson was forced into a stop after McAulay was allowed to break through one-on-one with the stopper spreading herself to deny the teenager. City tried to force their way into the game before the break but their pressure came to nothing as Rangers headed into the interval in firm command of the game. The second period was still in its infancy as Rangers put it to bed. Chelsea Cornet broke through City's backline and squared the ball across the six-yard box with Howat sliding in to beat Gibson. City appealed for offside but television images showed that Cornet was well on as she ghosted in behind. City's lack of composure when they did get into decent areas undermined any hope they had of hauling themselves back into the game. Nicole Kozlova ought to have burst the net when she was picked out inside the box and, with the goal gaping, she inexplicably hit her effort wide of the target. From there on, Rangers headed to the other side of the park and flirted with a fourth; Gibson had to deny McAulay as the Ibrox side kept at it. For all that Rangers were well on top, Potter remained on edge as she patrolled her technical area constantly barking instructions. Van Diemen's dismissal caused confusion inside the stadium; VAR is not in use across the women's game with the long delay to check van Diemen's foul. Rangers could have had more. Jane Ross, on for her final appearance as she now heads into retirement, unselfishly squared for Rio Hardy who blazed wildly wide when she should have buried it. Rangers could afford to be slack by then. There remain question to be asked over the summer but one suspects their break will offer more relaxation than City's.
Belfast Telegraph
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
NI star helps Rangers put League disappointment behind them with comfortable Scottish Cup success
Jo Potter's side lost the SWPL title race to Hibernian with a defeat by Hibs on the final day of the season last week but they showed their resilience at Hampden Park to retain the trophy. Mia McAulay opened the scoring after 25 minutes before fellow attacker Kirsty Howat doubled that lead 13 minutes later and then, after Rafferty had been introduced at the break, grabbed her second five minutes after the restart. City defender Sam van Diemen was sent off in the 79th minute for denying substitute Camille Lafaix a goalscoring opportunity by hauling her back but the game was gone by then, with the Sky Sports Cup winners assured of a Cup double. The woodwork saw plenty of action in the early stages of the game. McAulay struck the post in the 12th minute with a drive which beat City goalkeeper Lee Gibson and five minutes later Rangers defender Kathy Hill headed a free-kick on to the bar and over. Moments later, at the other end, City's Natalia Wrobel crashed a shot off the crossbar from the edge of the box. However, when 18-year-old McAulay got another opportunity outside the box on a swift counter, she drilled a shot into the far corner of the net. McAulay provided the assist for the second goal, floating a cross into Howat who turned neatly away from Van Diemen before firing low past Gibson, who moments later prevented a third when she blocked a shot from McAulay who had broken free of the City back line. It was a healthy interval cushion for Rangers, who lost captain Nicola Docherty to injury just after the first goal. City were again caught with a through-ball after 50 minutes which left Chelsea Cornet able to roll the ball across goal for Howat to tap into an empty net from close range. In the 70th minute City's Nicole Kozlova somehow missed the target with only Gers keeper Jenna Fife to beat while McAulay missed a chance for her second after being set up by Howat. Van Diemen's dismissal, after referee Dan McFarlane was called by VAR to check his pitchside monitor after initially flashing a yellow, completed a miserable day for City, while 35-year-old striker Jane Ross came on as a late substitute for Rangers in her last game of a stellar career.
The National
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Rangers motor to Scottish Cup win to ease SWPL heartache
Jo Potter's side lost the SWPL title race to Hibernian with a defeat by Hibs on the final day of the season last week but they showed their resilience at Hampden Park to retain the trophy. Mia McAulay opened the scoring after 25 minutes before fellow attacker Kirsty Howat doubled that lead 13 minutes later and then grabbed her second five minutes after the restart. City defender Sam Van Diemen was sent off in the 79th minute for denying substitute Camille Lafaix a goalscoring opportunity by hauling her back but the game was gone by then with the Sky Sports Cup winners assured of a cup double. The woodwork saw plenty of action in the early stages of the game. McAulay struck the post in the 12th minute with a drive which beat City goalkeeper Lee Gibson and five minutes later Rangers defender Kathy Hill headed a free-kick on to the bar and over. Moments later, at the other end, City's Natalia Wrobel crashed a shot off the crossbar from the edge of the box. Read more: Rangers-linked Russell Martin speaks on job hopes Davide Ancelotti branded 'phenomenon' as Real Madrid star gushes over coach However, when 18-year-old McAulay got another opportunity outside the box on a swift counter, she drilled a shot into the far corner of the net. McAulay provided the assist for the second goal, floating a cross into Howat who turned neatly away from Van Diemen before firing low past Gibson, who moments later prevented a third when she blocked a shot from McAulay who had broken free of the City back line. It was a healthy interval cushion for Rangers, who lost captain Nicola Docherty to injury just after the first goal. City were again caught with a through-ball after 50 minutes which left Chelsea Cornet able to roll the ball across goal for Howat to tap into an empty net from close range. In the 70th minute City's Nicole Kozlova somehow missed the target with only Gers keeper Jenna Fife to beat while McAulay missed a chance for her second after being set up by Howat. Van Diemen's dismissal, after referee Dan McFarlane was called by VAR to check his pitchside monitor after initially flashing a yellow, completed a miserable day for City, while 35-year-old striker Jane Ross came on as a late substitute for Rangers in her last game of a stellar career.
STV News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Rangers put league disappointment behind them with comfortable final success
Rangers eased league disappointment with an emphatic 3-0 Scottish Gas Women's Scottish Cup final win over Glasgow City. Jo Potter's side lost the SWPL title race to Hibernian with a defeat by Hibs on the final day of the season last week but they showed their resilience at Hampden Park to retain the trophy. Mia McAulay opened the scoring after 25 minutes before fellow attacker Kirsty Howat doubled that lead 13 minutes later and then grabbed her second five minutes after the restart. City defender Sam Van Diemen was sent off in the 79th minute for denying substitute Camille Lafaix a goalscoring opportunity by hauling her back but the game was gone by then with the Sky Sports Cup winners assured of a cup double. The woodwork saw plenty of action in the early stages of the game. McAulay struck the post in the 12th minute with a drive which beat City goalkeeper Lee Gibson and five minutes later Rangers defender Kathy Hill headed a free-kick on to the bar and over. Moments later, at the other end, City's Natalia Wrobel crashed a shot off the crossbar from the edge of the box. However, when 18-year-old McAulay got another opportunity outside the box on a swift counter, she drilled a shot into the far corner of the net. McAulay provided the assist for the second goal, floating a cross into Howat who turned neatly away from Van Diemen before firing low past Gibson, who moments later prevented a third when she blocked a shot from McAulay who had broken free of the City back line. It was a healthy interval cushion for Rangers, who lost captain Nicola Docherty to injury just after the first goal. City were again caught with a through-ball after 50 minutes which left Chelsea Cornet able to roll the ball across goal for Howat to tap into an empty net from close range. In the 70th minute City's Nicole Kozlova somehow missed the target with only Gers keeper Jenna Fife to beat while McAulay missed a chance for her second after being set up by Howat. Van Diemen's dismissal, after referee Dan McFarlane was called by VAR to check his pitchside monitor after initially flashing a yellow, completed a miserable day for City, while 35-year-old striker Jane Ross came on as a late substitute for Rangers in her last game of a stellar career. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Edinburgh Reporter
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Hibernian Women claim SWPL title with victory at Ibrox
Hibernian Women claimed their first SWPL title in 18-years thanks to a superb victory over Rangers at Ibrox this afternoon. Linzi Taylor scored the decisive goal which means Champions League football next year. Head coach Grant Scott insisted that Hibs were heading along the M8 looking for a win even though a draw would have been enough. And his players did just that. Rangers started on the front foot winning multiple corners, but Noa Schumacher managed to clear each one. In a feisty encounter Hibs Caley-Gibb and Rangers Nicola Docherty were both shown early yellow cards for separate offences. Gibb's was for a shirt pull on Mia McAulay and Docherty's for her challenge on Kathleen McGovern. Katie Wilkinson then set up McAulay but Schumacher did well to save. At the other end McGovern sent a teasing ball into the Rangers box but Ciara Grant shot straight at Jenna Fife. McAulay was lucky not to see a yellow card for a petulant push on Gibb after a free-kick was awarded against her. Rangers continued to press forward and McAulay went close with a curled effort from 15-yards and that was the last clear chance of the first-half. Stacey Papadopoulos replaced Gibb, at half time. Eight minutes after the restart Kirsten Reilly's long-range strike struck the crossbar with the Rangers keeper helpless. Eilidh Adams was next to try her luck, but her effort was blocked. In the 57th minute Michaela McAlonie was replaced by Rosie Livingstone. Reilly tried another long-range effort, but Fife saved easily. At the other end Wilkinson fired straight at Schumacher. Chelsea Cornett was shown a yellow card for a late challenge in midfield and from the resultant free-kick the ball fell to Adams who fired over the bar. Ciara Grant was then booked for a late challenge. Brogan Hay and Laura Berry replaced Jodie McLeary and Kirsty Howat with 20-minutes remaining. Two minutes later Hibs took the lead in dramatic fashion, Linzi Taylor collected the ball in midfield, strode forward and slid the ball to McGovern. The Hibs striker kept the ball in before crossing it into the path of Taylor who volleyed the ball past Fife to the delight of the large travelling support. McGovern tried to lob Fif from 25-yards, but the effort was off target. In the 80th minute Adams was replaced by Abbie Ferguson. Hunter then did well to tackle Hardy in the box as the Rangers player was about to pull the trigger from 10-yards. Rangers piled on the pressure and Hunter produced a vital block to deny McAulay. Jane Ross and Lizzie Arnot came on for the last five minutes as a last throw of the dice. Hunter was shown a yellow card for a foul on Hay. In the last action of the game McGovern broke clear on the half-way line and Laura Rafferty deliberately tripped her, earning a red card. As soon as the free-kick was taken the referee blew his whistle sparking wild celebrations. After the final whistle goal scorer Taylor told Sky Sports when asked to sum up her feelings: 'Honestly a bit emotional. I don't think it's set in yet. 'But I am absolutely delighted for that group of players and the fans that have followed us near and far, 'I'm honestly made up.' On her goal she said: 'I remember getting the ball and getting tackled on the edge of the box. I just saw the space and thought I'd take it and luckily my legs had a wee bit left in them. 'I can't believe it. It's the stuff you dream of when you were a wee girl. For anyone watching today, young girls and boys, this is the stuff of dreams. 'I am absolutely delighted. We knew a draw would have got us the win, but we came here for three points and that's exactly what we done. 'A lot of people wrote us off, especially when you look back to the 4-0 game at Easter Road but you look how far we have come as a team. Working together. Everybody's in it for each other. That's from the coaching staff down to the medical team. 'They've kept everyone going throughout the season the sports psychologists. 'This isn't about us as a group of players it's about everybody. As a club they have given us their backing and thankfully we have showed them what we can do. 'For m it's unbelievable. The fans have showed up in their numbers every single week and always made a noise and for us it's probably what has got us over the line most of the time. This is for them as well.' Rangers: Fife, Rafferty, Middag, Docherty, McLeary, Cornet, Maclean, McAulay, Hardy, Howat, Wilkinson. Substitutes: Esson, Hill, Hay, Ross, Arnot, Berry, Lafaix. Hibernian: Schumacher, Doran-Barr, Hunter, L Taylor, Gibb, Reilly, Grant, McAlonie, Adams, McGovern, Morrison. Substitutes: Armitage, Papadopoulos, Ferguson, Tweedie, Notley, Livingstone, Boyle, Ramsay, I Taylor. Like this: Like Related
