(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)
Match

The utterly bizarre reason why Rangers Women vs Celtic Women kickoff has been delayed by five minutes

Rahul Lakhani
Rahul Lakhani

Rahul has covered Rangers on Ibrox News since joining Breaking Media in March 2025. He has previously written for Goalkeeper.com, Planet Football, Snack Media, GRV Media and others since graduating from the University of Edinburgh in 2021. During his time in Edinburgh, Rahul would regularly trek across to Glasgow to watch Rangers in action at Ibrox, during the days of Pedro Caixinha and Steven Gerrard's managerial spells.

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Russell Martin's Rangers just drew with Celtic in a dismal Old Firm display, but the Women's side will have a chance to beat their bitter rivals very soon.

Rangers Women are set to face Celtic Women on Sunday, September 7, and Leanne Crichton will aim to do what Martin could not in beating rivals Celtic.

The Old Firm clash will take place at New Douglas Park, home of AFC Clyde and Celtic Women, with the two sides separated by two points at the top of the Scottish Women's Premier League table.

Kick-off has now been delayed by five minutes days in advance, and there is a bizarre reason behind this decision.

Rangers manager Russell Martin on the touchline.
Russell Martin failed to win his first Old Firm (Credit: Imago)

Celtic Women vs Rangers Women delayed

Old Firm glory is at stake in this upcoming clash, and minimal disruption to the game will be necessary as the two bitter rivals face each other.

However, the build-up to the match will be disrupted in the most bizarre way possible, as the UK Government will be carrying out a nationwide emergency test event at 3 pm, which will send an emergency alert to every phone in the country.

  • Celtic Women vs Rangers Women will now take place at 3.05pm on Sunday, September 7.
  • The nationwide alert will take place at 3pm, with every phone set to emit sound and vibrations.

With the game originally set to kick off during this alert, the SWPL have now announced that kick-off will be delayed by five minutes to ensure that the game remains unaffected.

"This delay to kick-off has been made to accommodate the national test and to minimise disruption for players, match officials, our broadcast partner, and supporters," they announced in a statement.

Rangers
Crichton became Rangers Women manager in August

Rangers Women can leapfrog Celtic in Old Firm

Celtic Women have enjoyed a 100 per cent record this season with three wins out of three, while Rangers are two points behind, having drawn 2-2 with Hearts on matchday two.

A win away in this fixture would see Rangers leapfrog their rivals to claim top spot in the table, but it will not be easy.

Rangers did finish above Celtic last season, but in third place as Glasgow City won the title, and they changed manager to bring in Crichton to replace Jo Potter.

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Leanne Crichton
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