Rangers Women completed a cup double at Hampden yesterday, with a 2-0 win over Hearts in the Scottish Cup Final.
Jo Potter's side headed to the national stadium desperate to clinch the Scottish Gas Cup after the bitter disappointment of losing the league on goal difference to Celtic just last week. The team were just minutes away from the title before a late goal robbed them of that glory. In truth, the league had been lost several weeks before with some disappointing games allowing a commanding lead to slip away.
Injuries and a loss of form have severely impacted the team and that was reflected in Potter's team selection. Rio Hardy, the side's top scorer, was relegated to the bench from the start.
Potter's picks featured a few surprises with Mia McAuley, the young player of the year, also missing out on the starting 11 alongside Rachel Rowe, Jane Ross and Sarah Ewans.
Rangers lined up in a 4-3-3 with Brogan Hay and Lizzie Arnott high and wide. Hearts chose to flood the midfield and the player-for-player battle ensured a tense opening while both sides wrestled for control.
An early slip from Charlotte Parker-Smith almost presented Kirsty Howat with a chance but the Hearts stopper would recover the situation. Nicola Docherty and Arnot would both have attempts in the subsequent minutes which demonstrated the intent Potter's side carried in the early stages. Soon, they would have their rewards.
After 25 minutes came a moment that would light up any cup final. Rachel McLauchlan took a chance and took a shot from all of 25 yards to find the top corner in spectacular fashion. It was an unstoppable effort full of quality, establishing a lead that Rangers deserved for their early dominance.
Unbelievable | #ScottishCup 🚀pic.twitter.com/hncXIXMWDx
— Rangers Women (@RangersWFC) May 26, 2024
Hearts had a header from the corner soon after which Victoria Esson easily saved before Howat sent a header just wide at the other end. Howat had the biggest opportunity just before half-time as she sent an effort wide when entering the box.
READ MORE: Inside Jo Potter's Rangers rise: Board buy-in, tactical detail and England experience
The second-half started as the first had finished, with Rangers in the ascendancy. Hardy, a 60th-minute substitute, was straight through with almost her first touch but couldn’t find the finish after entering the fray. Rangers rarely let up after taking the lead and it was only a matter of time before their second of the day arrived when Arnot placed the ball into the bottom corner from outside the box.
Rangers were comfortable on the day with a 2-0 victory more than deserved against a resilient Hearts side who have made every encounter difficult this season.
It ensured that Rangers Women ended the season on a high. They will carry regret for the manner in which the league title was surrendered but with two trophies to show for it's now full steam ahead to rectify that during next season.
Rangers | #ScottishCup 💙 pic.twitter.com/aRTXOBxeMX
— Rangers Women (@RangersWFC) May 26, 2024
Potter revealed afterwards that Philippe Clement was one of the first to arrive and congratulate her pitchside following the victory. Talking to the press assembled she explained that they are both working under the same umbrella, united to chase success for the football club.
"It's a tremendously proud moment and my family who are here," Potter added speaking to the BBC.
"You can see what it means to the players. I bang on about how good they are and how good they can be. To do a double is never easy and we've never won this cup. To give it a new home is big for the club the players and one we can kick on from, we can keep going and going and who knows what we can do.
"It was hugely important to win after last week, you don't want to finish on a low and to finish with a trophy is massive. There was always pressure because we were expected to win but I needed the players to feel that, good players can play under pressure."
Potter herself has delivered two trophies and Champions League qualification. For her, just like Clement, the league will be all that matters next season.
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