Rangers Women kept their SWPL title challenge alive and underlined their progress under Leanne Crichton with a hard-earned 1–1 draw against league leaders Glasgow City at Petershill Park - a result the Gers head coach felt her side were unfortunate not to better.
In a contest that carried major implications at the top of the table, Rangers showed resilience and growing belief, responding to a first-half setback with a late equaliser that their performance arguably merited.
Crichton was unequivocal in her pride afterwards.
“If I'm being honest, probably in the face of it. I think when you come up against a strong Glasgow City side, you know how difficult it's going to be. But I thought we were magnificent today, I really did,” the Rangers boss explained.
City’s quality and experience were evident early on, and Rangers had to ride moments of pressure, with goalkeeper Jenna Fife called into action.
At the other end, the visitors created opportunities of their own, only to be denied by City keeper Lee Gibson at key moments.
Crichton felt the first half goal conceded altered her side’s rhythm more than it should have.
She said: “We were probably a little bit careless in the first half and were chasing it too much, especially when you go a goal behind.
“There was a little bit of nervousness and an urge that you feel you need to really go and get after the game more than we had to.”
The interval allowed Rangers to reset.
“I think it was good to get in at half-time and just compose ourselves and get back to the game plan. I think the chances that we created, I think last week against Hibs was an example of that and we've managed to pick up again this week,” the manager said.
“I think in the final third-middle to the front we've been excellent and that comes right through the team.”
One moment that stood out for the Rangers boss was a decisive stop from Gibson that prevented a momentum swing earlier in the match.
“The save from Lee Gibson at the point in the game is a massive save and it probably keeps us at bay. I think if we go and get the leveller at that point in the game, there's a good chance we're going to take all three points.”
Beyond the result, the display reinforced Crichton’s belief in the trajectory of her squad, many of whom are still in the early stages of their development.
“We’re growing week in, week out and I've said that from the very start of the season. It's not always been easy and when you have a lot of young players in the team, you need to persevere and be patient with that because they won't always get it right,” she explained.
“They're taking in every bit of information, along with the leadership players and the more experienced ones that we've got. The balance of the team is actually really good for us now and the players that we've got coming back as well that have been out through injury are giving us that experience, not just on match days, but on the training pitch daily.
“We're making each other better and I think that's just an example of what's to come.”
While the objective had been victory, Crichton was keen to stress the value of avoiding defeat against the league leaders.
“We knew coming here today it wasn't necessarily about winning the game. Of course, that was the objective, but the fact is we've not lost the game.
“A point for me is still a good result just now. It keeps us in the coattails of Glasgow City with so much football left to play.”
The leveller arrived late and fittingly came from an increasingly influential figure.
New signing Castille Brookshire’s looping effort found the net to secure the point, capping an energetic display that had troubled City throughout.
Crichton was full of praise: “She was great. She's a really exciting player and we're so pleased to have the deal over the line to bring her here.
“She's been enjoying it. I think she's settled in really quickly.
“It’s about personality for me as well. It’s not just about the footballer; it’s about the person and how she’s brought herself and her qualities to the team.
“She started; she came out the traps flying and certainly put Glasgow City on the back foot.
“She did start to tire as the game went on, but I'm glad we kept with it and kept her in the game. That moment of magic is what you're seeing that daily in training. I think it was everything that the team deserved and for her I'm really pleased.”
Brookshire herself was delighted to contribute but framed the moment in collective terms.
“I'm just super excited to help the team get a point. It was a tough game, but I think we had a lot of opportunities, and I knew it was coming.
“If it wasn't me it was going to be someone else on the field so I'm just happy to help the team get a point.”
Asked about the goal, the Greece international admitted it was something of a blur: “I don't really even remember to be honest. [Katie Wilkinson] played a great ball out wide and I kind of just saw an opportunity to shoot and it was getting towards the end of the game and we needed to get something going.”
There was also a sense that Rangers left the pitch feeling they could have taken more.
“Yeah, I think we pushed well throughout the game and I think we deserved more but just glad to get a point and not drop three,” the January signing from Icelandic Premier League side FHL said with relief.
Settling quickly into life at the club, Brookshire highlighted the environment Crichton has fostered.
“It's been crazy but so fun, everyone, the coaches, staff and my teammates have been super helpful adjusting me into the group and making me feel comfortable on and off the field so that's really helped me,” she described.
“Every day of practice is so competitive and that's something I love about it so I just know it's going to continue to push me every single day.”
Rangers drop to third, behind Celtic, who they now trail by two, with the gap on table-topping City still at seven.