Celtic Women Stage Dramatic Comeback to Draw 2-2 with Rangers

Celtic Women showed tremendous resilience as they fought back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw against Rangers in a thrilling encounter at Broadwood.

The home side got off to a dream start, opening the scoring just four minutes into the match. Despite falling behind early, Celtic immediately looked to respond, with Hayes trying to find Ashworth-Clifford with a cross-field ball, but the winger couldn’t quite take it under control. The Hoops continued to press, with Gallacher having a chance to equalise, but her shot failed to find the target. Cross then made a dangerous run down the byline, delivering a tempting ball across the box, but Ashworth-Clifford couldn’t get on the end of it.

Rangers took a 1-0 lead into half-time, and they doubled their advantage in the 64th minute from the penalty spot, leaving Celtic with a mountain to climb.

However, the Hoops refused to back down, and within five minutes, Caitlin Hayes’ side pulled one back. Kit Loferski was fouled in the box, and Natasha Noonan stepped up to calmly slot the ball home from the spot, making it 2-1 and reigniting Celtic’s hopes of a comeback.

Just four minutes later, Celtic nearly found an equaliser when a corner kick wreaked havoc in the Rangers box. The ball fell to Ross, who narrowly missed the top corner as the visitors pushed for a leveller.

With the clock ticking down, Celtic made a double substitution in the 82nd minute, bringing on Celya Barclais and Maria Carstens as they searched for the all-important second goal. It proved to be a masterstroke, as Barclais grabbed the equaliser just five minutes from time. The French defender reacted quickly to a loose ball in the Rangers box, smashing her shot off the inside of the post to level the score at 2-2.

The late goal completed a remarkable fightback from Celtic, earning them a valuable point in the derby and ensuring they remain unbeaten against their city rivals this season. It was a hard-fought draw that keeps pace in the SWPL title race.