Rangers striker Katie Wilkinson cut a calm but satisfied figure in the Ibrox press room last night after her side’s 3–2 Old Firm victory over Celtic.
In what felt like more than just three points, Rangers rode a Celtic storm, and their own luck, in the opening 35 minutes, going down 1-0 after only two minutes and withstanding heavy pressure, before a Laura Berry strike late in the first half rallied Rangers on to an eventual second half victory.
Wilkinson herself netted a delightful header early in the second period to make it 2-1 to Rangers, before Celtic levelled late on – but the winner would be in blue as Mia McAuley latched onto a Kim Shin-Ji lofted through ball down the left, drove on, cut inside and curled a beauty into the far corner.
“I always enjoy a win at Ibrox, especially in an Old Firm,” Wilkinson said afterwards, still carrying the spark and the smirk of the occasion.
“We went in at half-time knowing if we pulled together and pushed for the things we’d worked on, we’d come out on top.
“That belief showed tonight.”
And belief was the difference. Rangers didn’t fold when Celtic came at them; they held firm, regrouped, and trusted that their moments would come.
It was the sort of response that tells you everything about the mentality of Leanne Crichton’s dressing room – something that has been questioned in recent weeks with defeats to Hibs, Hearts and Glasgow City.
A key moment came from teenage sensation Mia McAuley, one of Rangers and Scotland’s hottest prospects and a player Wilkinson described with genuine excitement.
She 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. When she steps up in an Old Firm moment like that, we’re excited.”
This is what sets Rangers apart: youth stepping up, senior players demanding more, and a squad that refuses to hide when the fixture heats up.
The first half had its challenges, but Wilkinson insisted the team were never rattled.
“We knew we were under the cosh a bit,” she admitted.
“But we trusted each other and the staff. Sometimes in a 90-minute game all you need is belief.
“We stayed around each other, pushed each other, and kept that belief to go and get the three points.”
For Wilkinson personally, leading the line for this club is more than a role; it’s a responsibility she actively seeks.
“You can’t play for a big club like Rangers without feeling a bit of pressure,” she said.
“But that’s what I love. Whether you’re one of two strikers or one of five, you’ve got to push yourself every day.
“As a group, we’re brilliant at pushing each other - and the staff do the same.”
The win puts Rangers back within reach of the title race, but Wilkinson immediately shut down any talk of focusing on their rivals.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do ourselves,” she insisted.
“We go into every game with a winning mentality. We do our job before looking at anyone else.”
That’s the message from inside the camp: focus on yourselves and the league table will sort itself out.
As for the setting? A Friday night fixture under the lights at Ibrox was a welcome change from the usual Sunday afternoon kick-offs – and it is a change Wilkinson relishes.
“Friday night under the lights was good,” she said.
“If we can get more fans down on a Friday night, then happy days.”
This wasn’t just a win for Rangers – it was proof that even with a threadbare squad, they have the quality to defeat any team in the SWPL – and can get back into the race for the title.