Confirmed: Rangers Women set for Sky Sports Cup semi-final clash with Celtic
Rangers Women have had their Sky Sports Cup semi-final opponents confirmed, with Jo Potter’s side set to face Celtic away in an Old Firm clash.
The Light Blues advanced into the final four clubs in excellent fashion with a 7-0 win over second-tier outfit Boroughmuir Thistle on Sunday (12 November), while Glasgow rivals Celtic breezed past Glasgow City in a 3-0 win.
Rangers have already faced the Hoops once this season in the Scottish Women’s Premier League, with Potter’s side coming from behind to win 2-1, thanks to second-half goals from Kirsty Maclean and Rio Hardy.
Partick Thistle will face Hibernian in their first-ever appearance in the semi-final phase, with both fixtures set to be played on or before 21 January and the final will be played in March at Tynecastle Park [Sky Sports, 16 November].
Opportunity
Just like in the men’s game, Rangers normally have to beat Celtic at some stage of every competition to have any chances of lifting silverware. This time, the Old Firm clash is set to occur in the semi-final stage rather than the grand final at Tynecastle next year.
Potter will be hoping her side can help her lift her first piece of silverware since arriving at Ibrox this summer and will fancy her side’s chances of reaching the final after they managed to beat Celtic in the league earlier this season.
While every game will be different and this one will be on the green side of Glasgow rather than in front of the passionate Rangers fanbase at Ibrox, the Light Blues should be able to take plenty of confidence into what could be a season-defining match.
Hardy is in some of the best form of her career so far, with 20 goals in her first 12 appearances this season and has already opened her account against the Hoops this season, she could well be crucial to Rangers’ chances of retaining their Sky Sports Cup title.
Potter’s side have already managed to beat Hibernian this year, breezing past them with a 7-0 win earlier this year, but are yet to face Partick Thistle. Should the Gers beat Celtic, they’ll back themselves to beat whoever they face in the final.
In other Rangers news, Peter Grant has admitted he was surprised that the Light Blues didn’t make a move for Lawrence Shankland this summer