Mia McAuley lit up Ibrox on Friday night with a breathtaking late winner as Rangers defeated Celtic 3–2 in a dramatic Old Firm showdown, and the teenage forward admitted she was “buzzing” after delivering one of the defining moments of her career.
Speaking to Rangers TV after the match, McAuley struggled to hide her excitement at scoring the decisive goal on the biggest stage.
“Buzzing. There is no better feeling than scoring at Ibrox, there’s no better feeling than playing at Ibrox, there’s no better feeling than winning at Ibrox, and to do it against Celtic, it’s amazing,” she said.
McAuley’s winner was not only full of individual composure, but it was also straight from the tactical adjustments Rangers boss Leanne Crichton made at the break.
Recalling the strike, she said: “I just remember Shin-ji picking up the ball. We pointed out at half-time that the opposite side was on the whole time when we won the ball back, and Shinji came on and she’s done it perfectly.
“She played it right to my feet and I think my eyes lit up. I just tried to put it back in the net, and it went in.”
It was a cold, clinical, classy finish from a player who thrives in this fixture.
Rangers had to fight for the win, battling through a difficult first half before equalising before the interval and taking control after the restart.
McAuley praised the team’s mentality.
“The first half we were not great, but we got the goal before half-time and I think that shows the character in the dressing room,” she said.
“To come out in the second half, go ahead, they come back level and us to get the goal again.
“I think it shows the character in the dressing room. The girls were great tonight.”
McAuley already has a habit of shining in Old Firm matches, but she admitted this one was special.
“I just love scoring goals but tonight was special, especially at Ibrox.”
On a freezing Glasgow night, the Rangers support still came out in force, and McAuley concluded that their backing made all the difference.
She said: “Yeah, they really came in numbers today. It was great.
“They really got behind us, it really is a 12th man for us. The fans were great tonight.”
Playing under the lights at Ibrox remains one of the squad’s favourite experiences.
“I love playing at Ibrox and I think the team does too,” she added.
McAuley’s match-winning moment only reinforced what her teammates already know, including striker Katie Wilkinson, who spoke glowingly about the young forward after full-time.
Wilkinson said: “She’s quality. She’s handled the pressure. She’s young, but when she gets it right, she can be unplayable.
“We’re pushing her every day to get better, and when she steps up in an Old Firm moment like that, we’re excited.”
It was the perfect summary of a special night for one of Rangers’ brightest rising stars: a fearless finish, a crucial derby winner, and admiration from the senior players around her. A star not in the making – but already shining at Ibrox.