FIRST SWPL TITLE FOR IBROX LADIES
RANGERS women were celebrating last night after claiming their first-ever sWPL title. The Ibrox side drew 0-0 with reigning champions glasgow City at auchenhowie yesterday to clinch the league with one game to spare. It was a fraught afternoon as City fought valiantly to hang on to the title that has been theirs for the last 14 seasons. ‘I am lost for words,’ said Rangers’ sam Kerr immediately after the game. ‘It is the most nervous 0-0 I have ever been involved in. It wasn’t an easy game. It was tough but we are just happy we have managed to see out the result. ‘It has been a big week for the club with the europa League and Jimmy Bell’s death, so to get this point is just amazing.’ Rangers are unbeaten in the league and have been composed and fluent throughout the season. still, there seemed to be a nervousness about them in the opening 45 minutes, with City creating a number of good chances which ensured that Ibrox no1 Jenna Fife was the busier of the two keepers. Claire shine was denied the opening goal when Fife got down to save smartly from the Irish international’s close-range effort. next up was Lauren Davidson, who had a rasping effort parried away by the Rangers keeper, then Megan Foley went close with a header as City pushed for a breakthrough. Rangers’ Jane Ross had a header go over the bar which was the only real notable effort at the other end of the pitch. With the hosts living dangerously, City thought they had taken the lead ten minutes before the break after Ode Fulutudilu, on for the injured Peyton Perea, had the ball in the net only to be flagged offside. The forward had spurned a glorious chance just before that when Priscila Chinchilla played her into the six-yard box but the ball had got stuck under her feet and Rangers cleared. The interval afforded the Ibrox side the chance to regroup, with Malky Thomson introducing Kayla McCoy and Chelsea Cornet into the fray. Brogan Hay went into the book for a foul on Chinchilla but there was more intent from Rangers. Chinchilla, though, shaved the crossbar with a looping cross as City continued the search for a goal. Cornet then forced a save from City’s Lee alexander before an injury to shine stopped the game for a prolonged spell. But Rangers held on for the point to spark scenes of celebration at full-time.