Celtic inflict four year first on Rangers as 741-day trophy drought comes to an end at Hampden
Celtic inflict further pain on rivals Rangers with 1-0 Scottish Women's Cup final win at Hampden Park
Celtic inflicted further pain on rivals Rangers as they ran out narrow 1-0 winners in the Women’s Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park despite playing with 10 players for the bulk of the second half.
In a game of few clear-cut chances, it was Morgan Cross’ close-range finish that sealed victory for Celtic in the 27th minute as Grant Scott claimed his first trophy as manager following his appointment in December.
In the opposite dugout, the result caps off a season of frustration for Rangers boss Leanne Crichton in her debut campaign in management. Pipped to the SWPL title by Hearts last weekend on the final day, she saw her side lose 2-1 to Glasgow City in the Sky Sports Cup final back in March. Celtic, who ended the league season in fifth, were aiming to win a first major trophy since their maiden league title victory 741 days ago.
Rangers enjoyed comfortable passage into the final, sweeping aside Montrose 3-0 in the semi-final, while Celtic edged out city rivals Glasgow City 3-2 after extra time. The Gers had enjoyed the upper hand in games between the two sides this season, tough with Crichton’s side winning all five previous games against their rivals, including a thumping 4-0 victory just a fortnight ago.
And it was Rangers who enjoyed the bulk of the possession in the opening minutes, with Mia McAuley cannoning a shot back off the post on 12 minutes, after being teed by Laura Berry. However, Celtic opened the scoring shortly after when Cross connected to an inch-perfect cross from Saoirse Noonan to slide into the net.
Scotland international Emma Lawton saw red just before the half-hour mark for a second bookable offence after a foul on Calliste Brookshire, while further chances would fall to McAuley, Berry, and May Cruft. However, it was not to be for Rangers as Celtic stood firm, meaning they have now failed to win one of the three available trophies in Scottish women’s football for the first time since the 2021/22 campaign.
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