Caitlin Hayes scored a 99th-minute equaliser to reject safeguarding champs and title competitors Rangers a crucial success in the Scottish Women’s Premier League at Broadwood Arena.
In the very first SWPL video game to be revealed live on Sky Sports, a first-half objective from Brogan Hay (36) looked set to be the distinction, however Caitlin Hayes’ strike in the ninth minute of interruption time restored a point for Fran Alonso’s side.
The outcome suggests leaders Glasgow City, who beat Hibernian 2-0 on Saturday, end the preliminary of components following the SWPL split 8 points clear of Celtic in 2nd and 9 ahead of Rangers in 3rd.
Brogan Hay caught a protective mix-up to put Rangers in front in the very first half. Picture credit: Malcolm Mackenzie/SWPL
How Celtic rejected Rangers important win
After Glasgow City moved 9 points clear at the top of the table following their 2-0 win at Hibernian on Saturday, Celtic and Rangers both understood anything aside from a triumph in the 3rd Old Company clash of the season would be a considerable blow to their title possibilities.
While the very first conference in between the 2 competitors ended 0-0 in November, Celtic beat Rangers 3-0 last month however it was Malky Thomson’s side who controlled the opening phases of Monday’s video game.
Rangers made a positive start however were lucky not to fall back in the 14th minute when goalkeeper Jenna Fife’s clearance was charged down by Natasha Flint, just for the ball to rebound behind for a goal-kick.
Celtic hardly ever threatened in the very first half however desired a charge 7 minutes later on when Lisa Martinez got the incorrect side of Caitlin Hayes from a corner and appeared to pull her challenger to the ground. Nevertheless, referee Steven MacDonald waved away the appeals and without any VAR in operation, the video game stayed goalless.
In spite of that occurrence, it was Rangers who managed most of the contest. Captain Kathryn Hill saw 2 efforts consistently conserved by Pamela Tajonar prior to the hosts deservedly took the lead in the 36th minute, albeit in lucky scenarios.
Hay commemorates after providing Rangers the lead versus Celtic. Picture credit: Malcolm Mackenzie/SWPL
Celtic skipper Kelly Clark attempted to eliminate Emma Watson’s low cross from the left, however rather she took the ball far from Tajonar who had actually scampered her line to gather, leaving Brogan Hay with a basic tap-in to put her side in front at half-time.
Celtic enhanced after the break however were not able to develop any specific possibilities. Flint fired well over prior to the hour mark while Hayes saw her header quickly gathered by Fife 7 minutes prior to full-time.
American forward Set Loferski, whose finalizing was revealed on the day of the video game, was presented in the 70th minute however it wasn’t up until the last seconds that the visitors made what might now end up being an important point.
A confident ball forward from the back triggered Rangers’ defence issues and as Fife hurried out to clear the ball, it rebounded off Hayes, permitting the Celtic protector to take advantage of an empty objective to begin joyous events.
With 9 video games staying following the SWPL split, both Rangers and Celtic will still think they can ferret out unbeaten leaders Glasgow City, however Monday’s outcome unquestionably favours the 15-time champs.
Somewhere Else in the SWPL
Leaders Glasgow City stay leading after their 2-0 win at Hibernian on Saturday, while Hearts beat Partick Thistle 1-0 in the other top-six component.
In the bottom half, Motherwell won 4-1 versus competitors Hamilton Academical, Spartans beat Dundee United 1-0 and Aberdeen got rid of rock-bottom Glasgow 3-1.
What’s next?
Rangers Women host Hibernian in their next SWPL match on April 2, with kick-off at 4.10 pm. Celtic play Partick Thistle in the house on the exact same day, with the earlier kick-off time of 3pm.