Rangers Women’s team manager Leanne Crichton voiced her disappointment at the low attendance for Sunday’s home defeat against Scottish Women’s Premier League title rivals Glasgow City.
Less than 5% of Ibrox was filled for the 4.10 pm kick-off, with the men’s team playing away at Livingston at 3 pm. The overlap of fixtures drew away a significant number of potential spectators, as the men’s game away to Livingston, was still ongoing until half-time of the women’s match.
Despite being the home side at Ibrox, Rangers were defeated by a late winner from City’s Ukrainian forward Nicole Kozlova, whose volley at the back post was the only goal of the game.
Speaking to the media post-match, Crichton addressed the low attendance but praised the opportunity to play at Ibrox, saying: "It's obviously a brilliant opportunity for us. I just wish on these types of afternoons that we could get more fans in bums-on-seats.
“In terms of the environment, the pitch, and the chance to go out and express yourself as a footballer, it's one of the best."
With Rangers men’s team now competing in the Europa League after being eliminated from the UEFA Champions League, Thursday fixtures, and subsequently Sunday league games, often clash with most SWPL fixtures.
This presents a direct challenge for the women’s side, affecting both attendance and the ability to play at Ibrox. If the men’s team has a home game on a Sunday, they take priority, forcing Crichton’s side to play at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld, a move that also impacts attendance due to travel.
Rangers Women do have a dedicated following, mainly younger fans, but a significant portion of their support filters down from the men’s side. Many of those supporters would attend the women’s matches if there were no scheduling conflicts, meaning these clashes affect both visibility and revenue.
Should the SWPL be more flexible in these situations? Games have been moved to Saturdays before due to player availability, and next year’s end-of-season playoff matches are scheduled for Friday 29 and Saturday 30 May.
The question is one of equality: does moving the women’s fixtures to avoid clashing with men’s games risk making them appear secondary?
The women’s game is growing rapidly in Scotland, and every effort should be made to get more eyes on Rangers’ young, exciting, and talented side. If fixture adjustments are needed to achieve that, so be it, more fans through the turnstiles are good for the game and for business, no matter which day of the week they attend.