- Mia McAulay has left Rangers after more than 100 appearances, ending a lifelong association with the club.
- Leanne Crichton admits she is “extremely disappointed” after Rangers failed to convince the Scotland international to stay.
- McAulay joins a growing list of high-profile departures as Rangers Women continue their transition towards sustainability.
Rangers Women have confirmed that Mia McAulay will leave the club following the expiry of her contract, bringing an end to one of the most successful academy journeys of the women’s programme.
The Scotland international departs having made more than 100 appearances for the club she has supported since childhood. Leaving behind a significant gap in both quality and identity within Leanne Crichton‘s squad.
McAulay’s departure is particularly significant because it extends a growing trend that Rangers have struggled to halt in recent seasons.
Mia McAulay journey to Rangers first team
A product of the academy system, McAulay progressed from youth football into the first team before becoming one of Rangers’ most influential attacking players. Her performances helped deliver domestic silverware, earned international recognition and culminated in the club’s Player of the Year award in 2024.
Announcing her departure, McAulay admitted the decision had been deeply emotional.
“This is the hardest decision I have ever had to make, to leave the club I love,” she said.
“Everyone knows I have grown up supporting the club, and it was a dream to wear the famous blue jersey.”
Rangers wanted to retain Mia McAulay
Rangers were keen to retain the winger, with both Leanne Crichton and Women’s and Girls’ Managing Director Donald Gillies publicly expressing their disappointment at her decision.
“I am extremely disappointed to see Mia leaving the club,” Crichton said.
“Mia believes she is ready for a new challenge.”
Gillies added: “We were keen to keep Mia; however, she believes the time is right for her to leave.”
The latest Womens’ star to depart Rangers
The concern for Rangers is that McAulay is far from an isolated case.
Over the last two years the club has lost a series of established first-team players and key talents.
Rio Hardy, Kirsty MacLean, Chelsea Cornet and Megan Bell departed last season alongside former head coach Jo Potter. Before that, Rachel McLauchlan, Emma Watson and Sam Kerr also moved on.
The reality is that Rangers Women are operating in a changing landscape. The club’s increasing focus on sustainability has inevitably created challenges when competing with better-funded opportunities elsewhere.
Readrangers.com analysis – Jack Cranmer
Gillies attempted to frame McAulay’s exit as evidence of the strength of Rangers’ development pathway.
“In recent years, we have lost some of our most talented youngsters to other leagues,” he said.
“While that is a disappointment, it proves we are doing things right.”
There is truth in that assessment. McAulay’s progression from academy prospect to Scotland international is a success story for the club.
However, for Rangers supporters, the bigger concern is whether too many of those success stories are now leaving just as they reach their peak years.
Following a trophyless season and the disappointment of Scottish Cup final defeat to Celtic, retaining core talent was already a major challenge facing Crichton this summer.
The departure of one of the club’s most recognisable homegrown players only increases the scale of that task.
