BRAND BLUE ERA
SWPL champions finish in style with Old Firm triumph
RANGERS rounded off an incredible unbeaten season by dumping their Old Firm rivals to become the SWPL’s ‘Invincibles’.
The Ibrox side have dropped just four league points with the win over Fran Alonso’s side ensuring that they went through the campaign without losing a single league game.
A Jane Ross double with a Demi Vance free-kick sandwiched in between gave Rangers a commanding 3-0 lead at the break.
A Caitlin Hayes header pulled a goal back for Celtic in the second period but by that stage it was too little, too late for the Parkhead side to force a way back into the game.
Boss Malky Thomson said: “I cannae believe the way we went about things – even coming here, knowing they
CELTIC .............. RANGERS .........
1 3 had won the championship, they never changed.
“That’s the reason why they’ve won the title – their approach never changes.”
It has been a mixed bag for Celtic this season with their third place finishing meaning they lose out on a Champions
League place but they have already banked the SWPL Cup.
The Ghirls have the Scottish Cup Final to contest on May 29 against Glasgow City at Tynecastle, having dumped Gers out of the competition in the fourth round.
And stopper Jodie Bartle insists there’s no time to lament this derby defeat.
She said: “We need to build momentum towards the final and we have to take that from the second-half performance.”
For City, the relinquishing of the title after a 14-year hold gives them ample motivation to ensure that they do not finish the season with nothing to show for it.
Eileen Gleeson’s side rounded off their campaign with a 0-0 draw away to Hibs while Motherwell ended on a high with a battling 3-2 victory over Aberdeen.
Hearts beat Partick Thistle 3-0 and Spartans ran out 2-1 winners over Hamilton Accies.
Spartans beat bottom side Hamilton 2-1 with a goal from captain Alana Marshall, in her 200th appearance for the club.
Meanwhile, Glasgow Women have been promoted to the SWPL after beating Boroughmuir Thistle 3-1.
Goals came from Lucy Ronald, Mhairi Lyle and a penalty by Kaitlyn Canavan, while Novoa Torrente scored for Boroughmuir.
Manager Craig Joyce said: “I’m delighted for everyone involved in the club.
“We weren’t supposed to be here, but we are here, and we went one step further. I’m absolutely delighted.”