As the SWPL1 heads into the last five fixtures, the race for the title is yet to cool off. Glasgow City are in a bid to win their 14th league trophy in a row, meanwhile Rangers and Celtic are still chasing the reigning champions. Scott Booth’s Glasgow side are four points clear of Rangers who sit second, and five of Celtic.
Hearts and Motherwell are still battling it out at the bottom, while Spartans and Hibernian are looking to secure fourth place.
This season there is more than just a trophy at stake. For the first time, Champions League football will be awarded to the second-place team as well as the league champions. This gives Malky Thomson and Fran Alonso another goal to strive their team towards.
Slipped from Rangers’ reach
In the game of the season, Rangers hosted Glasgow City at Auchenhowie in a chance to edge closer to silverware. The last time they met was prior to the four-month break after Christmas, due to the safety concerns surrounding Covid-19.
At Broadwood Stadium, the Light Blues ran riot in a ruthless 5-0 win that featured goals from Megan Bell, Zoe Ness, Lizzie Arnot and former City stars, Kirsty Howat and Carly Girasoli. Following the match, people deemed it ‘the changing of the guard’ – meaning that it was now Rangers who looked to start dominating Scottish football.
Celtic hand Rangers a final lifeline
Now five months on, Rangers are praying that Glasgow City slip up before their meeting at the end of the season. They had the chance to keep the league in their hands when they brought them to the Rangers Training Centre last week, but a Priscila Chinchilla brace just before half-time snatched all three points.
It was Celtic’s turn to cause an upset on Wednesday, just four days later. Despite both Celtic and Glasgow City getting a penalty, the score-line remained 0-0 at full-time. Rangers’ rivals essentially handed them a much-needed life line if they want to remain title contenders.
For the last time this season, the Hoops will travel to Milngavie to make it three Old Firm wins out of three. If they do, it could be Celtic who walk out to European football next season.
