Old Firm battle sees Rangers reach a fourth Sky Sports Cup Final

The SFU is committed to helping promote the women's game in Scotland. To that end, one of our women's team has kindly written this report (in real-time) on the enthralling semi-final of the Sky Sports Cup and we encourage all other women's clubs to share it. And, this being Scotland, just in case anyone thinks we're taking sides, fear not, there will be reports on Celtic women and other women's clubs in the months ahead!

The first ten minutes of the match are quiet, with both teams clearly settling into the game. Rangers looking to see how new Celtic manager Grant Scott is setting his side up and Celtic are trying to find their rhythm.

The first big chance is in the 10th minute as Fife launches the ball upfield: there’s miscommunication from the Celtic defence which allows Mia McAulay to meet the ball first but Rodgers manages to clear the ball away - an early warning shot to Celtic about the danger of Mia, not that they needed it after recent displays from the youngster in these fixtures.

11 minutes on the clock sees Celtic’s first chance as McAneny heads the ball towards goal but it is saved easily by Fife.

If at first you don’t succeed seems to be McAneny’s motto as she gets on the scoresheet with 17 minutes on the clock. A mix up in the Rangers defence sees McAneny first to react to give Celtic the lead in the semi-final.

The lead doesn’t last long before the next big moment! On 23 minutes it’s a penalty to Rangers. Katie Wilkinson steps up to the spot and sticks the ball into the back of the net to equalise. Game on!

The game doesn’t stay level for long with Celtic taking the lead once more, this time Emma Lawton gets on the scoresheet to make it 2-1 to Celtic with 26 minutes gone.

The game is a proper Old Firm game, with tackles flying in, free kicks given and both teams up for it.

The craziness of the first half continues; 38 minutes into the game and this time it is Celtic who get a penalty as Morgan Cross is fouled in the area. The Celtic striker Pritchard steps up and strikes is home as cool as you like and Celtic go further in the lead, making it 3-1 to the away team.

Laura Berry receives a yellow card on 40 minutes as the young striker is in about the action.

There’s 44 minutes on the clock and Celtic look to be going in with a comfortable lead, but Rangers are trying to mount a comeback, which they do manage through youngster Laura Berry. Lovely work from the Rangers midfield to set up Laura who makes no mistake with the finish.

Shortly after the half time whistle goes for a well-deserved breather for fans and players alike. At half time its Rangers 2-3 Celtic.

It would seem like Rangers would come out firing in the second half after closing the gap just before half time, but this is not the case as Celtic are the next team to have a couple of chances. The game seems to be a bit flat as Celtic are cruising through the game with Rangers getting a chance here and there to try and draw level.

Leanne Crichton is the first to make a change as Leah Eddie comes on for Mengwen on 57 minutes.

Around half an hour to go in the match and Mia McAulay comes close but hits it just wide.

With not much happening at this point further changes from Rangers as LaFaix and Hill come on for Rafferty and McAulay

Celtic finally turn to their bench to make a change on 79 minutes Pritchard makes way for Noonan

84 minutes sees further Celtic changes as Cross is off for Smith

Rangers are pushing to draw level as they look for reinforcements, Sabajo comes on for McLeary on 85 minutes

Lafaix comes close and should have Ranger’s level - a stramash in the box sees the ball bobbling around the box, it drops to Lafaix but she just hits it wide

Four minutes added time is announced with it seeming like Celtic just had to hold on

91 minutes on the clock and the Rangers fans are going wild as Laura Berry draws the game level! Rangers win a corner kick; it’s nodded onto the crossbar from Wilkinson and Laura Berry is in the right place at the right time to tap it in!

3-3 is the score at full time which means we head to extra time. It’s already been a fantastic game with lots going on, the game really has had everything in it.

Extra time starts and with 100 minutes on the clock, it looks to be Celtic’s day as they get another penalty! This time Noonan steps up, strikes the ball but it is saved easily by Jenna Fife. The Rangers fans go crazy as if they’ve scored. A fantastic save by Jenna Fife to keep her side in the game

111 minutes and Lisa Rodgers is called into action, Nicola Docherty takes a shot from outside the box and it looked to be her first goal in a couple of seasons but she seen it get tipped just over the bar by Rodgers who keeps her side in it - some fantastic goalkeeping on display today

3-3 at the end of extra time and its penalties to decide who goes into the semi-final against Glasgow City

Penalties:

🔵Wilkinson steps up first and scores

🟢Kelly Clark steps up and scores

🔵 Laura Berry steps up next and scores her penalty

🟢 Walsh steps up, Jenna Fife saves it

🔵 Shin Ji sticks her penalty away

🟢 Robertson also scores

🔵 Brookshire scores!

🟢 McAneny steps up and Jenna Fife saves it to send Rangers into the Sky Sports Cup Final

A fantastic game for the neutral and exactly what we want to see in Scottish Football. Two teams going toe to toe and throwing everything at it!

RANGERS starting 11: Fife, Mengwen, Pegram, Rafferty, Docherty, McLeary, Shin Ji, McAulay, Berry, Brookshire, Wilkinson

SUBS: Kelly, Eddie, Hill, Sabajo, Lafaix, Connolly-Jackson, Boyce

CELTIC starting 11:  Rodgers, Lawton, Clark, Walsh, Luke, Robertson, Momo, Gallacher, Mcaneny, Cross, Pritchard

Subs: Gay, Richardson, Ross, Smith, Westin, Noonan, Dawson, McGoldrick

Congratulations to Rangers who take on Glasgow City in the final. More details below.

Sky Sports Cup Final:

Glasgow City v Rangers

29th March at 3PM

Fir Park