- Celtic defeated Rangers Women 1-0 at Hampden to win the Women’s Scottish Cup.
- Morgan Cross scored the only goal, ending Rangers’ 11-match unbeaten Old Firm run.
- Rangers finish a season without silverware for the first time since 2021.
Celtic defeated Rangers in the Women’s Scottish Cup final this afternoon at Hampden Park, leaving the Gers trophyless and ending their 11-game undefeated run over the Hoops.
Leanne Crichton’s side were looking to bounce back from their humiliating 6-0 defeat to Glasgow City on the final day of the SWPL season. A result with meant they once again failed to become champions. However, they had a chance of redemption against Grant Scott’s Celtic at Hampden.
Crichton made two changes as the Gers looked to win a third successive Scottish Cup.
Rangers had the first big opportunity to break the stalemate; Laura Berry had the freedom of Hampden to drive into on the right flank. She laid it off to the onrushing Mia McAuley who arrived at the edge of the area. Her strike beat Adeliade Gay but struck the post before being diverted clear.
Celtic strike first in Old Firm Cup final
But it would be Celtic who struck first. Rangers failed to clear their lines several times, and Saoirse Noonan took advantage of the ball breaking off May Cruft to deliver a cross to Morgan Cross at the back post. The Hoops forward sticking out a toe to direct it home.
Having won the previous four rounds without conceding, the opener was the first goal Crichton’s team had conceded all tournament. Winning the previous games 24-0 across the season.
McAuley twice tested Gay but was unable to beat the American as Celtic went in ahead at the break.
Second half numerical advantage for Rangers Women
Crichton kept the team unchanged after the restart and the Gers kept the pressure on with McAuley and May Cruft each forcing saves from the Celtic keeper.
Jenny Smith forced a good save from Jenna Fife at the other end immediately after her introduction. However, Scott would need to reshuffle once again after Emma Lawton received a second yellow card after a foul on Castille Brookshire.
Rangers would push for a leveller but the closest they came was when Gay punched a Brookshire corner off her own bar. With Crichton’s side lacking any real forward-thinking creativity despite their numerical advantage.
Brookeshire fired over late on but Celtic held out through the six minutes of stoppage time to regain the trophy for the first time since their Old Firm final win in 2023.
Readrangers.com analysis – Jack Cranmer
Rangers end a season without silverware for the first time since 2021, having also lost the Sky Sports Cup final to Glasgow City.
Pressure now intensifies on Crichton after a season of decline on the park for Rangers Women. In previous years the cups have been where the Gers have had success – this year they have ended with nothing.
