Leanne Crichton shares what she ‘really enjoys’ about life at Rangers Women amid emotional ties
Rangers Women manager Leanne Crichton has opened up on her personal connection to the club.
Crichton took charge at Ibrox last summer after leaving her role as assistant manager at Glasgow City.
The former Scotland international earned 72 caps during her playing career, before taking on a joint playing and coaching role at Motherwell – becoming assistant manager under Leanne Ross with Glasgow City in 2024.
Rangers currently sit second in the Scottish Women’s Premier League, five points behind her former club ahead of the league’s return next Sunday.
Leanne Crichton reflects on lifelong Rangers connection
A Glasgow native, Crichton admitted that stepping into the role has given her a new perspective on the club she grew up following.
“You grow up in the East End of Glasgow and Rangers is a part of everything that I’ve probably ever done or followed in football,” Crichton told A Level Playing Field.
“Memories right from the beginning. And Ibrox, managing a team in Old Firm games, then going to watch the men’s team, the first couple of weeks being in the job, and going into the directors’ box,” she added on the special moments in charge of the club.
“You just see things differently,” said the 38-year-old, before outlining that despite the pressures coming with the role, managing Rangers is something that she is able to fully invest herself in.
“It’s a job at the end of the day, but thankfully it’s one that again I can emotionally invest in, and really enjoy it.”
Rangers remain in the hunt for SWPL glory
Crichton’s side remain firmly in the title race ahead of the league’s return on 15 March.
Rangers sit five points behind league leaders Glasgow City, and level on points with Celtic in third place.
This storyline is made even more intriguing given the relationship between Crichton and City boss, the aforementioned Ross, with the Rangers boss previously working as her assistant before making the move to Ibrox last summer.
In what has become a master versus apprentice battle, the pair will meet several times before the end of the campaign with two pieces of silverware on the line.
Rangers host Glasgow City in a crucial league clash on 22 March, before the sides go head-to-head again in the Scottish Women’s League Cup final at Fir Park just a week later.
Then after a big run-in, the two clubs are set to meet on the final day of the league season on 24 May, where Rangers could have the chance to topple their city rivals if they are able to get within touching distance.
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