Mia McAulay makes ‘awful’ admission after dramatic scenes in Rangers Women’s win vs Celtic Women
Mia McAulay was delighted with the response showed by Rangers Women after an “awful” first-half display in their win over Celtic Women.
The Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) clash was the second Old Firm derby between the two sides in the past couple of months, and a loss could have spelled trouble for Rangers Women.
After losing 3-2 to Hearts Women last time out, the Light Blues dropped down to fifth in the SWPL table, and the victory at Ibrox on Friday has since moved them up to third.
The result leaves Leanne Crichton’s side just six points off league leaders Glasgow City, and there is now real belief they could improve on last year’s third-placed finish.
Rangers Women win thrilling contest at Ibrox
Rangers and Celtic’s meetings have been chaotic in the past, and Friday’s clash proved no different.
Rangers Women came into the match unbeaten in five against Celtic, but they fell behind thanks to Jenny Smith’s second-minute finish.
Laura Berry levelled the scoring just before half-time, before McAulay set up Katie Wilkinson to send the Bears into the lead.
Saoirse Noonan levelled up the scoreline in the 72nd minute, but McAulay then produced a moment of magic that proved to be definitive in the contest.
McAulay raced past the defence and curled a brilliant strike past Celtic goalkeeper Lisa Rodgers.
| Stat | Mia McAulay |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Pass accuracy | 22/25 (88%) |
| Shot accuracy | 2/3 (67%) |
The 19-year-old has registered 10 goal contributions in 11 league matches, and her best moment for the Light Blues shirt came on Friday.
McAulay signed a new Rangers contract in 2023 after making 13 appearances as a 17-year-old in the 2023-24 season.
The future is bright for McAulay, and her latest goal has made her the hero once more in a Rangers shirt.
Whilst the match ultimately went their way, Rangers Women were poor for much of the match, and McAulay didn’t hold back on her assessment.
Mia McAulay slams Rangers Women’s first-half performance
The Old Firm Derby was available on Sky Sports, and fans would have been fearing the worst after a shaky display in the first 45 minutes.
McAulay was proud of the second-half comeback, but insisted that her side must do better throughout the game if they want to win the league.
She told Sky Sports: “The win is very important. We’ve had a rocky start; some of the results we’ve had, we’ve not been happy with. So I think tonight’s a statement of how we can play.
“We were awful in the first half, but I think it shows the character we have in the dressing room to come out and win. The girls were great.”
Rangers Women face Motherwell in East Kilbride on 23 November, and the Old Firm should spur them on to close the gap on the league leaders.
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