Celtic 2-3 Rangers: Visitors recover to beat Elena Sadiku’s side and reach SWPL Cup final

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A dramatic stoppage-time penalty from Rio Hardy sent defending champions Rangers ahead of Celtic in the SWPL Cup final.

The hosts, playing their first game under Elena Sadiku, took the lead thanks to a second-half Chloe Craig penalty after a handball by Kathryn Hill.

Hill equalised and Kirsty Maclean dragged the visitors down only for Craig to kick the scoring.

But Hardy kept his cool in the minute to claim victory.

Partick Thistle host Hibernian in the semi-finals on Sunday, with the final taking place on March 23.

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Reaction & as it happened

Though Rangers enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and chances, Celtic carved some excellent openings in a tense contest.

Hill headed Kelly Clark’s lob off the line after Amy Gallacher’s free kick cleared through visiting goalkeeper Victoria Esson.

Rachel Rowe should have put Rangers in front following Lizzie Arnot’s cutback, the midfielder’s shot going just wide, and Chelsea Cornet was also off target from the edge of the Celtic box.

Celtic struggled to get out but took the lead when Gallacher’s deflected cross landed in the path of Celya Barclais, only for the full-back to volley wide.

Rowe threatened from distance and his ferocious effort up the bar hit the crossbar as he came out.

Cornet and Arnot tested Celtic goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty early in the second half and Shen Menglu fired a shot wide.

The game began in the 53rd minute when Paula Partido’s shot blocked Hill’s arm. Craig gently landed the resulting kick.

Daugherty made a superb double save to keep out Hardy’s efforts but Rangers and Hill forced the ball over the line at the corner after Cornet’s shot was blocked.

And Rangers tightened the screw to take the lead for the first time, Hardy and Maclean beating Daugherty with an emphatic finish.

However, Celtic didn’t finish and Jenny Smith brought down Tessel Middag to give Craig another chance from 12 yards, which she took advantage of.

Still, there’s one last twist. Hardy chased Arnot’s ball and cut it through Caitlin Hayes. Hardy stepped up and led his team.

Jo Potter, Rangers manager: “I told them [the players] before the game, it’s your cup, it’s not mine yet. It’s their cup and we have to do everything we can to keep it and we haven’t won yet.

“There’s still a tough game to play against whoever wins the other semi-final, so it’s a step up from the previous game and we’re much happier to qualify for that final. “

Rangers midfielder Rachel Rowe: “It was a pretty emphatic end to the game. We showed a lot of character and determination. We have a lot of confidence in the team and we try to do it in 90 minutes.

“They had controversial penalties but that is football sometimes. We wanted to win the game and that is what we came here to do. We should have scored a few more but at the end of the day we won.”

Elena Sadiku, Celtic coach: “I wasn’t satisfied with the first half, but in the second half we came out with a clearer brain.

“I think we have to paint with the mentality that even if we score a goal, we have to try even harder and vice versa.

“I think we can learn a lot from this game and as a team. For me, of course, it’s a loss, but it’s also a wonderful informative experience of this game. “

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