Aberdeen Women gave Gers food for thought despite defeat at Ibrox

Aberdeen Women defender Loren Campbell reckons her side gave a good account of themselves against Rangers, despite the game ending in a defeat.

The Dons lost 4-0 against Rangers, as Ibrox hosted their professional women’s team for the very first time.

Like the reverse fixture at Pittodrie, the game felt like more than just getting a result, as more than 4,000 fans looked on – the second-highest domestic crowd for a women’s game.

It had been an occasion that the players were looking forward to as it signals the progress being made in their game, and Campbell reckons it exceeded Aberdeen’s expectations.

And while it ended in a disappointing result, the defender felt it was not a disappointing display against the SWPL 1 league favourites.

Campbell said: “It was even better than we thought it would be; the atmosphere was fantastic.

“We have to thank Rangers for inviting us here, but I think we deserved to be.

“I think we gave a good account of ourselves – obviously the result didn’t go our way and it was two silly goals to give away in the second half – but we competed well.

“For them to be fully professional and we’re not, it shows we’re getting there.”

The Dons had been defensively disciplined in the first half and were unlucky to go into half-time 2-0 down.

However, they conceded just two minutes after the break and again 10 minutes later, leaving them with a mountain to climb if they were to get anything out of the game.

While Campbell admits it left Aberdeen with a bigger challenge than they would have liked, she was proud of the way the players reacted after conceding.

She said: “It’s very hard when you concede so quickly and you have to reset again, but you’re now 3-0 down.

“But for a young team, to not crumble, it shows character and what we’re about.

“Previously that result could have been five, six or even seven, so we’re definitely learning and improving.”

Next up for the Dons is a midweek clash on May 3 with Partick Thistle at Balmoral Stadium, a game that was originally due to be played before Christmas.

Spartans getting beaten yesterday means Aberdeen still sit two points clear in fifth, and will be looking to extend that advantage against the Jags.

Campbell said: “It’s our game in hand so we have to take advantage of that.

“If we’re wanting fifth, we have to beat Partick Thistle.

“They play in a semi-final a few days before it so we have to take advantage of that as well.”

Loren Campbell, left, and Rangers’ Lizzie Arnot.