Banyana Banyana’s Linda Motlhalo was the star of the show as her assist led to a goal that ensured Glasgow City Women reclaim their league title in Scotland – this after Lauren Davidson scored in the 92nd minute for a 1-0 victory over defending champions Rangers Women on Sunday (21 May 2023).
Three teams started the final day of the season in contention for being crowned champions – but two of them were facing each other – Glasgow vs second-placed Rangers at Ibrox, while Celtic, who were lying third, took on Hearts at Parkhead.
Glasgow were on 80 points, while Rangers and Hearts were level two points adrift.
At the stroke of 90 minutes, Celtic were on top of the table as they were leading 2-0, and a foregone conclusion that they had won their first league title, with Glasgow City and Rangers cancelling each other out on 0-0.
And with that in mind, the organisers started making their way to Parkhead with the trophy.
But when the South African international threaded a delightful pass to an unmarked Davidson in the Rangers box, who made no mistake from close range, the travelling part with the trophy had to change direction, leaving a lot of heartbreak at Parkhead.
No one would have scripted it this way, but Glasgow City won the championship with two minutes left on the clock in referee’s optional time.
This was their 16th league title and qualifies them for the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Celtic – who were so close yet so far and are yet to lift the league trophy – finished second, and also secured Champions League football next season, while Rangers ended third.
This is Motlhalo’s first league title abroad after joining the Scottish giants in January this year, following three years spent in Sweden.
It is also her second major gold medal within a year after helping the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana to glory in the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in July last year when they were crowned continental champions in Morocco.
She will be hoping for more success when the South Africans take part at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August.
The league title is also the first for former captain Leanne Ross who was appointed permanent head coach of Glasgow City Women in March this year. She was in charge on an interim basis following the sudden departure of former coach Eileen Gleeson in December.
As a player, Ross won 27 trophies with the Scottish giants.
Interestingly, the win on the final day of the season is also the first for Glasgow City over Rangers in their last 10 meetings: there have been five losses, four draws and this win, which perhaps mattered the most.
HEAD-TO-HEAD MATCHES (LAST 10 MATCHES)
21.05.23
Rangers W 0 – 1 Glasgow City W
19.04.23
Glasgow City W 1 – 2 Rangers W
29.01.23
Rangers W 0 – 0 Glasgow City W
20.11.22
Glasgow City W 1 – 1 Rangers W
08.05.22
Rangers W 0 – 0 Glasgow City W
06.02.22
Rangers W 3 – 1 Glasgow City W
17.10.21
Glasgow City W 1 – 1 Rangers W
06.06.21
Glasgow City W 2 – 0 Rangers W
09.05.21
Rangers W 0 – 2 Glasgow City W
13.12.20
Glasgow City W 0 – 5 Rangers W
Scottish Women’s Premier League Results:
Sunday, 21 May 2023
Rangers W 0 – 1 Glasgow City W
Celtic W 2 – 0 Hearts W
Dundee United W 1 – 1 Hamilton Academical W
Motherwell W 3 – 0 Aberdeen W
Spartans 2 – 0 Glasgow W
Partick Thistle W 1 – 2 Hibernian W
Summary:
- Glasgow City crowned champions after scoring in referee’s optional time
- FINAL STANDINGS:
- Glasgow City 83 points
- Celtic 81 points
- Rangers 78 points
- Top-six results:
- Celtic 2-0 Hearts
- Rangers 0-1 Glasgow City
- Partick Thistle 1-2 Hibernian
- Bottom-six results:
- Dundee Utd 1-1 Hamilton
- Motherwell 3-0 Aberdeen
- Spartans 2-0 Glasgow Women
- Glasgow Women relegated
- Hamilton Accies face play-off with SWPL 2 runners-up Gartcairn
HERE IS WHAT THEY SAID (speaking to the BBC):
Glasgow City manager Leanne Ross:
“It was an absolute rollercoaster today, but all credit to the players. They massively stuck to the game plan and gave it everything they had and I’m so proud of them for getting over the line in the last minutes there.
“The girls stuck together and they still believed. They deserve to go up there and lift that trophy today.
“We had that steely focus and I’m just delighted we got those three points to secure the title. I’m so pleased for the players. They’ve done all the hard work.”
Glasgow City keeper Lee Gibson:
“This one is pretty special to be fair. From how disappointing our season was last year, to come away with absolutely nothing and exit the Champions League so early… we were under pressure.
“Nobody thought we’d come first or second this year. It’s so pleasing. We don’t half leave it late a lot of the time! We led for a long time since Christmas and been far ahead but I’m just so excited for where this team can go. I don’t think we were ever panicked. We were just disappointed at how we lost to Celtic and Rangers, and we only had ourselves to blame. Our performances against them this side of the year weren’t good enough. We knew we would have chances but also needed to defend well today.
“I’m just delighted Lozzie [Lauren Davidson] stuck it away, she’s been our hero all year with the amount of goals she’s scored. I’m so delighted for everyone involved at this club. A lot of people write us off, but we’re winners.”
Rangers manager Malky Thomson:
“It was a difficult game to play in and we knew we needed a win. We had to throw a bit of caution to the wind at the end. We pushed Hannah [Davison] further forward and that left us vulnerable to the counter.
“I’m proud of the girls and where they’ve come from. We have to dust ourselves down and look to the next campaign.
“We must convert our chances when we have a lot of the ball. We played some really good football but we need to be clinical.
“The big prize is the league for Rangers. But we’ll look forward to next Sunday and competing for the Cup.”
Celtic manager Fran Alonso:
“I’m devastated. Record crowd again. Those people in the stadium deserve everything. I never wanted anything more than giving them the league title.
“The same for the players, they’ve been incredible this season. For me, they deserve that reward but congratulations to Glasgow City. Winning away to Rangers at Ibrox is so, so hard and they did it.
“When I heard the fans cheering, it was the happiest moment. I thought we were going to do it. We’ll have to get ourselves back and realise that we are second and at least we’re in the Champions League.
“But it’s a hard thing to take because the girls did everything they needed to. We could have scored more.
“I’m extremely proud of my players. Whoever stepped in wore the Celtic shirt with pride and passion and heart and they made us all proud. It is heart-breaking for me to see them not win the title. It’s football and not everyone can win.”
By Matlhomola Morake
