Rangers WFC v Glasgow City | Match Programme | 100219

RANGERS WFC VS

GLASGOW CITY

10|02|2019

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

VS

GLASGOW CITY

10|02|2019

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

MANAGERS NOTES AMY MCDONALD

Good afternoon and welcome along to our first game of the SWPL season. I would like to extend a welcome to our visitors today, Glasgow City and their players, staff and fans.

I am excited about this campaign and I can sense that from the team as well. We have had a good pre-season and have been boosted by the ability to keep hold of the majority of our squad from 2018, plus we have made two new additions.

We concluded our pre-season last weekend with a three day training camp and there is a good feeling around the place right now. The team feel probably the most wanted they have for a long long time and that gives you confidence moving into the start of the season.

The Chairman’s pledge at November’s AGM to increase the funding of the Women’s Programme showed intent from the club. I think it is great for the programme as a whole and it shows a real commitment from the club to where they want the Women's Programme to go.

We want to improve on last season’s finish of fourth so we need to just keep pushing. It is a clear message this year to the players that we need to win and we need to gain consistency in our performance. In saying those words often comes a pressure but it is something we need to go forward and do, in every single training session and every single minute of every day.

I think where the Scottish women's game is at is that a lot of the best players are moving down south. So it is on the individual players that are left at the club to improve technically, tactically, physically and to be stronger and better.

Today you will have the chance to see our two new additions, Laura McCartney and Ellis Dalgliesh. Laura is the Under 17 captain for the Scotland National Team. She is a really aggressive player, she can play in a few positions, she has not held back in training and she has got a real maturity about her even though she is quite young.

Ellis is a really experienced full-back who has come in from Celtic and she has looked really good in pre-season, both defensively and going forward. They are two really good additions and it boosts competitiveness for the squad going forward, which we will need.

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GLASGOW CITY

10|02|2019

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

MANAGERS NOTES AMY MCDONALD

Starting our season against the Champions this afternoon is a tough introduction but we have a real opportunity to go and find out where we're at and that'll be our benchmark for where we have to go after that.

I think what Glasgow City have done is shown the opportunities available in this league and now there is a second Champions League place available gives you more incentive to finish higher up the league.

It is Rangers, we want to be successful, it doesn't matter what area of the club you're in, that is just what is expected. I think we need to be pushing for the top two or at least the top three.

We need to be doing better in the cup competitions this year and we need to be competing for both, if not winning at least one. It is something we have spoken about amongst the team and I don't think it is beyond our capabilities. It comes down to mentality of the players and I think that is better now than it has ever been.

It almost seems, moving into the start of the season that it is going to be the most competitive season there has ever been in the country. For us it is one game at a time but with the aim that we want to do better than we have done before.

I hope you enjoy the game.

Am

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GLASGOW CITY

10|02|2019

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

LAST MATCH RANGERS WFC 3 HAMILTON ACCIES 0

IN their final pre-season friendly before the season opener against Glasgow City, Rangers ran out comfortable winners as they scored three against SWPL 2 side Hamilton.

The opening stages of the game saw very little in terms of opportunities from both sides – Hamilton came closest with a couple of long-range efforts. But the Rangers defence stayed strong, which soon allowed them the chances they had been waiting for.

The Gers found themselves taking the lead as early as the 10th minute. Amy Muir ran through on the right wing and her cut back was met by an Accies defender. Carla Boyce was able to nick in with a challenge before the defender could clear and he loose ball was latched onto by the left boot of Clare Gemmell. She fired her shot into the bottom left-hand corner of the visitors net to give her side the advantage.

It took Rangers just four minutes to double their lead and it was a gift after a slip-up from the Hamilton goalkeeper. A goal kick was intercepted by the lively Gemmell and she quickly plays a through ball to Boyce. She rounded the keeper before calmly placing the ball into the back of the net.

Ten minutes later it was almost three. Chelsie Watson hit a perfect free-kick, finding the chest of Jade Gallon, who on the half-volley managed to turn and force the Accies keeper into a fine save, palming the ball away from her net.

The rest of the first-half was played in the middle of the park, with both sides unable to break through. The visitors resorted to a lot of long range efforts to try get back into the game, but they did very little to trouble Jade Baillie in the Rangers goal.

In the second-half Rangers controlled the majority of the proceedings, applying a lot of pressure on the Accies defence. The visitors did not help themselves, causing their own problems as they persisted on playing from out the back. That was despite high pressure from Rangers causing them problems every time.

The Gers came close on a number of occasions, with many chances going wide of the Hamilton goal, or forcing the keeper into action. But there wasn’t much they could do when Rangers finally managed their third goal of the game.

In the 91st minute a corner was floated onto the edge of the six yard box and in a cluster of players Chelsie Watson got above the rest to head home for Rangers and add the final touches to a comfortable victory.

RANGERS: Baillie (GK), Dalgeish, Donnelly, Watson, Inglis, Gemmell, Ohara, A. Muir, J. Gallon, Napier, Boyce. Subs: L. Gallon, Coakley, Cunningham, C. Muir, Ramsey (GK), Honeyman

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GLASGOW CITY

10|02|2019

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

IT’S A REALLY EXCITING TIME SARAH ROBERTSON

Striker Sarah Robertson says there is a sense of excitement amongst the current Rangers squad.

Chairman Dave King committed to improved investment in the Club’s Women’s programme at November’s AGM and the players are already seeing the benefits.

The boost came at a good time as January’s pre-season came around and Robertson told RangersTV there has been a spring in the Gers’ step during their preparations – they have even gained some new followers after a successful weekend training camp.

Speaking to RangersTV at the SWPL launch the 21-year-old said: “Pre-season has gone well.

“We had a good training camp at the weekend and we got taught a lot in that to take into the season coming.

“The camp was across whole weekend, after training on the Friday night we stayed in a hotel close to Ibrox and it was good to have the full team together.

“It was quite strange to all be together away from training and it was beneficial. Amy (McDonald – Head Coach) put in place a lot of meetings that were very worthwhile and spoke a lot about professionalism and how we are going to go into the season.

“Dave King spoke about the investment into the women’s team at the AGM and the women’s game never usually gets spoken about so for us even to be talked about is amazing.

“It is a really exciting time and it is great Rangers are investing in it because it is a really big time for women’s football right now.

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GLASGOW CITY

10|02|2019

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

“Because of the men’s game on Saturday some Northern Irish fans were staying in our hotel and they started speaking to us in the foyer.

“I think they were quite surprised by what we were saying to them about our football and they were asking how we played so we said come and watch us! Quite a few of them then came to watch our friendly on Sunday which was brilliant to see.

“I would say to fans that haven’t come to watch us yet to just come down. I know some people don’t know the standard of women’s football and can be quite hesitant to come and watch it but it’s a great day out for the family and it’s affordable so I would just say come and see us!”

Rangers finished fourth in SWPL 1 last season, behind Glasgow City who have won the title for 13 seasons on the trot, Hibernian and Celtic.

They will face reigning champions City in their first fixture of the 2019 campaign this Sunday but Robertson is happy to be facing the Champions League side so early.

She said: “We are confident for the season, especially after last season which was one of our highest finishes so that has given us a lot of confidence.

“We have had a good wee pre-season and we are really confident, we know we can take results off the top teams, we are really excited.

“We have Glasgow City in our first game so it is a real test for us but one we are all looking forward to and we are definitely ready to take them on.

“We are always going to need to play them sometime so if we are playing a team at the bottom of the league or the top we will approach the game the same way we do each time. We will take it as it comes and we will be ready for every game.”

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GLASGOW CITY

10|02|2019

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

CAPTAIN’S NOTES CLARE GEMMELL

Preseason this year has been one that has challenged the players not only physically but mentally, which all of the girls have taken in their stride.

From finishing the campaign last season until now, you can see the developments made by the players, both individually and as a group, in terms of roles and responsibilities on the pitch.

There is a strong culture within our team which makes the time we spend together enjoyable. This continues to be driven forward by the staff and players.

There is a real determination to be successful this year and I believe we have the right group of players to achieve that.

The first game of the season against Glasgow City will undoubtedly be challenging, but it is one that will allow us to gauge how far we have come as a group of players.

I think it is important that we approach the game with belief and bring all of the things we have been working on in pre season into the game.

Our team is full of talented players and if we apply ourselves in the correct manner, we can achieve a positive result in this game.

Enjoy the game,

Cla

GLASGOW CITY

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10|02|2019

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

GETTING TO KNOW AMY MCDONALD | RANGERS MANAGER

Where did you grow up?

Cambuslang What team did you support growing up?

Rangers First team?

Clyde Boys Club – I was the only girl Favourite Player?

Ally McCoist First football strip?

Rangers - I think it was the McEwan’s Lager one Best player you’ve played with?

Julie Fleeting (Former Arsenal & Scotland star) Music taste?

Cheesy Favourite app?

Probably Outlook because I get that many emails!

Biggest influence?

My grandparents Pets?

A chocolate brown Cocker Spaniel called Luna who is a lunatic.

First football game?

A Rangers UEFA Cup match against a team from Ireland if I remember rightly Favourite meal to cook?

Takeaway!

Who do you compare your game to?

A Bruno Alves style defender, someone who liked a good slide tackle and if you could get the ball and the player then you were on to a winner

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GLASGOW CITY

10|02|2019

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

FIXTURES & RESULTS Feb-19

Sun 10 Feb 14:00 SWPL Rangers WFC VS Glasgow City Sun 17 Feb 12:00 SWPL Stirling University WFC VS Rangers WFC Sun 24 Feb 14:00 SWPL Cup Partick Thistle WFC VS Rangers WFC

Mar-19

Sun 10 Mar 14:00 SWPL Sun 17 Mar 13:00 SWPL Sun 31 Mar 14:00 SWPL

Apr-19

Wed 17 Apr 19:00 SWPL Sun 21 Apr 13:00 SWPL Sun 28 Apr 14:00 SWPL

May-19

Sun 5 May 14:00 SWPL Wed 15 May 19:00 SWPL Sun 19 May 14:00 SWPL

Aug-19

Sun 4 Aug 14:00 SWPL Sun 18 Aug 14:00 SWPL Sun 25 Aug 14:00 SWPL

Sep-19

Sun 8 Sep 14:00 SWPL Sun 22 Sep 12:00 SWPL Sun 29 Sep 14:00 SWPL

Oct-19

Sun 20 Oct 13:00 SWPL Sun 27 Oct 14:00 SWPL

Nov-19

Sun 3 Nov 14:30 SWPL Sun 17 Nov 13:00 SWPL

Rangers WFC VS Forfar Farmington Ladies Hibernian LFC VS Rangers WFC Rangers WFC VS Celtic FC Women

Motherwell LFC VS Rangers WFC Spartans LFC VS Rangers WFC Glasgow City VS Rangers WFC

Rangers WFC VS Stirling University WFC Forfar Farmington VS Rangers WFC Rangers WFC VS Hibernian LFC

Celtic FC Women VS Rangers WFC Rangers WFC VS Motherwell LFC Rangers WFC VS Spartans LFC

Rangers WFC VS Glasgow City Stirling University WFC VS Rangers WFC Rangers WFC VS Forfar Farmington Ladies

Hibernian LFC VS Rangers WFC Rangers WFC VS Celtic FC Women

Motherwell LFC VS Rangers WFC Spartans LFC VS Rangers WFC

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GLASGOW CITY

10|02|2019

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

SWPL LEAGUE TABLE

SWPL LAUNCH EVENT All Scottish Women's Premier League clubs were represented at Hampden this week for the annual launch event for the league.

National TV, radio and print media were present, with Sarah Robertson representing Rangers ahead of the season kicking off today.

RANGERS WFC VS

GLASGOW CITY

10|02|2019

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

RANGERS WFC

GLASGOW CITY

1. Khym Ramsay

3. Karsey McGlinchey

2. Gill Inglis

4. Hayley Lauder

3. Amy Muir

5. Murron Cunningham

4. Chelsie Watson

6. Jo Love

5. Lauren Gallon

8. Leanne Crichton

6. Ellis Dalgleish

9. Kirsty Howat

7. Brogan Hay 8. Holly Napier 9. Nicole Pullar 10. Jade Gallon 11. Chantelle Brown 12. Sarah Robertson 14. Hayley Sinclair 15. Terri Donnelly 17. Clare Gemmell © 18. Carla Boyce

SCOTTISH WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE RANGERS V GLASGOW CITY BENBURB 10.02.2019 TODAYS OFFICIALS REFEREE Ross Birrell ASSISTANT REFEREES John McKean James Hesketh

11. Nicola Docherty 12. Jenna Clark 16. Leanne Ross © 18. Sam Kerr 19. Joanne Paton 20. Carly Girasoli 21. Jordan McLintock 23. Megan Foley 24. Lara Ivanusa 25. Erin Clachers (GK)

19. Laura McCartney

29. Lee Alexander (GK)

20. Hannah Coakley

32. Lidija Kulis

21. Jade Baillie 22. Caitlin Ohara 23. Hannah Robertson