Rangers Women return to Scottish Women’s Premier League action for the first time since the New Year as they welcome league champions Hibernian to Broadwood Stadium in a top-of-the-table six pointer for Leanne Crichton’s side.
Hibs, now managed by Noelle Murray after Grant Scott’s shock departure to Celtic last month, won the league title for the first time in almost two decades at Ibrox, defeating Jo Potters Rangers side 1-0 on the final day to secure the trophy.
The visitors defeated Rangers 3-2 at the Meadowbank Stadium back in October – A Katie Wilkinson double had seen the Light Blues two up in the first half before a fightback from the Hibees side to take the three points left Crichton bemused at her side.
Rangers currently trail undefeated league leaders Glasgow City by ten points, having played a game less, while the reigning holders sit a further six points behind in fifth place – with both teams needing victories to keep their title hopes alive.
The match is being held at Broadwood – the ladies makeshift home for selected fixtures this season due to the conditions and a quickfire run of home fixtures for the men’s side at Ibrox – with a 4.10pm GMT kick off.
Rangers Women goalkeeper Jenna Fife spoke to the club via their official website prior to the match – insisting there is belief within the squad that they can not only defeat their opponents today – but challenge for the league crown.
She said: “It is massive, we have got three games in Hibs, Glasgow City and then Celtic.
“Ultimately we are hoping to get six points from the first two games - Then a place in the final, that is what we want.
“I think we can achieve that; we have got the belief that we can achieve that.
“If we can do that then it will set us up very well for the upcoming games but we know they are not going to be easy games, they are very difficult games as have proven from previous meetings with all these teams.
“We have got enough in the squad to be able to do that.”
Speaking on the previous fixture and her sides collapse in Edinburgh she said: T”hat was a mad game, I think we were so solid the first half. 2-0 up and then just towards the end of the first half we have given away a goal and we have just not come out the second half and played the way we can and we have ultimately lost the game.
“We were really disappointed, but we know how we can play and if we play like we did in the first half we will have no issues.
“We will just be looking to go into the game, keep a clean sheet first and foremost for me but go and score goals and really put on a performance.”
She also praised manager Crichton – who arrived in the summer, saying: “I have to say she has been very good; she has brought a lot to the team; everyone has bought into her ways of playing and she has just brought a calmness to the squad.
“I think we are all really enjoying playing under her.
“The start of the season was a bit of a whirlwind with manager and player changes.
“Everything was going on; we had injured players at the start of the season so it was a bit of a difficult start, but I think we have really regrouped since then.
“We have been really good on the pitch; we need to continue that going into the next couple of games because they are massive.”
Hibs striker Elidih Adams spoke about her sides excitement ahead of the match.
Speaking to Hibs TV she said: “We know that a game against Rangers is always a good game for the neutrals anyway.
“We know it'll be another tough game, but one we're all really looking forward to.”
The match is available to stream via Rangers TV via a subscription or can be caught live via BBC Alba from 4pm.