Glasgow City 1-1 Rangers
By Gethin Thurlow for Impetus at Petershill Park (25/1/26)
Above: Callie Brookshire hitting her incredible goal Photo: @RangersWFC on X
New signing for Rangers Calliste Brookshire scored a late equaliser in her first start to the club, as they drew with SWPL leaders Glasgow City, keeping the gap at seven points.
The Teams
After a comfortable win over Partick Thistle last time, City would face their first big test of the year without the key centre back partnership of Lana Golob and Kimberly Smit. Golob missed out on the squad altogether, with Emma Brownlie taking her place. Amy Anderson returned to the midfield, while Emily Whelan started on the right wing ahead of Sofia Maatta. Lisa Forrest was Leanne Ross’s choice up front once more.
For the visitors, January signing Callie Brookshire started for the first time on the left wing, with Quinty Sabajo getting a rare start in that numebr 10 position. This pushed Kim Shin-Ji back into the holding midfielder role alongside Jodi Mcleary – with May Cruft dropping to the bench.
The Action
Within five minutes, Rangers had their first chance. A poor touch from Brownlie allowed new signing Brookshire to run through one-on-one with Lee Gibson. Gibson dived in aggressively, winning the ball back for her team. Glasgow City went straight down the other end, winning a corner from which Evans headed right at Jenna Fife.
The game was very transitional, with both teams pressing high and looking to enter the box as soon as they won the ball. After Eilidh Austin was lucky to avoid a yellow card for pulling Amy Muir back cynically, Glasgow City came close from the ensuing free kick. Wrobel was found on the six yard line, and worked the ball towards Forrest and Kozlova, but the Rangers defence scambled it away for a corner.
After defending two City corners well, Leanne Crichton’s side counterattacked, and Eilidh Austin was played in behind the defence. She shot early, unable to cause any issues for Gibson. They kept the pressure, and were particuarly having success down the left with Brookshire. Linda Motlhalo’s tackle kick started a quick move from City. Whelan picked up the ball and drove directly at the opposition backline. Providing width, striker Forrest took up Whelan’s position on the right and was subsequently picked out. Slashing a low cross along the box, it took a cruel deflection off Claire Rafferty, inching past the wrong-footed Jenna Fife in goal.
A few minutes after the goal, Lisa Evans had to depart with an injury, allowing the more classic defensive fullback Chloe Warrington to come on in her place.
Despite the goal, the game continued to be a high-quality end-to-end affair, with neither side ever retaining any form of sustained pressure or dominance for more than a few minutes. While Rangers looked comfortable in possession working their way through City, the hosts had a ruthless edge to their attacks. There was an intuitive understanding of where any other player would be and what they were thinking at any point. They combined effortlessly and quickly, which allowed them some mismatches. This was especially effective down the left with Muir, Kozlova and Motlhalo.
Shortly before the break, the second-placed team looked to have levelled the game, as Wilkinson rolled Laura Berry through, and she slotted her left-footed shot into the bottom corner, past Gibson. However, celebrations were cut short when the offside flag went up. There was still time for another Glasgow City attack, as Whelan’s cross flew over Kozlova waiting in the middle. Finally, a breathless first half was drawn to a close.
The second half started the same way, with both teams getting in on goal early. Wrobel had two tame efforts – when perhaps there were better passes on, while Katie Wilkinson had her first shot. With Smit glued to her all day, she found it dificult to get free in the box. On this occasion, he tight pressure of the defender forced her to shoot while turning on her left foot, and she couldn’t get any power on it.
Much like last week against Hibs, given Laura Berry’s striker abilities meant she played more as a wide striker than a winger – which allowed Austin space to provide the attacking support she did last time out. Amy Muir however was enjoying a fantastic afternoon on and off the ball, getting the better of Austin in both phases of play.
The scoreline started to affect the game, as Rangers accrued more chances and possession for the first time in the game. This City defence is no joke though. There’s a reason they’ve conceded significantly fewer goals than anyone else. Part of the reason for their success is the willingness and ability of attacking players like Kozlova and Motlhalo to help out in defence. They packed out the box when it was required, frustrating the away side who were determined to find their two strikers inside the area.
Another reason is the goalkeeper sitting behind them. Lee Gibson is always a cool and composed figure at the back, but this time round she showed her acrobatic shot-stopping ability. Laura Berry had a shot from close range which rose towards the top corner, somehow Gibson reached out her left hand and powered the ball past the post.
At the other end, Fife made a game-saving stop. When Nicole Kozlova runs through on goal, you know where it’s usually going. Fife made a great adjustment, getting her right foot down to stop the shot and keep her team in it.
That save proved to be worth it just moments later, as Rangers went down the other end. The ball found its way to the left hand side, and after an airael duel Callie Brookshire found herself alone at the corner of the box. she curled what initially looked like a mishit cross towards goal, but the ball just nestled perfectly for Rangers, dropping into the far corner to leave City stunned.
Rangers had the best of the last five minutes, but there were no clear-cut chances for either side and it ended with a draw, which was an acceptable-but-not-ideal result for both sides.
Player of the Match Kimberly Smit
SWPL top goalscorer Katie Wilkinson was kept oh so quiet in this one, and that was down to the brilliant defensive work of Kimberly Smit. Without her usual partner Lana Golob, Smit was given the responsibility of staying on Wilkinson for the whole afternnon. That was all she did – go wherever the English striker went, never giving an inch of space of second of time to her.
A major reason for City’s astonishing record this year and this game is the reliable defence. If you rarely give up chances and goals, results are going to to your way. Smit was at the heart of the today, and the only goal was nothing to do with her. If they can keep Celtic in two weeks time and the other challengers post split as quiet in attack as they did today, it’s hard to see how Glasgow City can lose this title.
Where this leaves the teams
Coming at the start of a season-defining run for City, the nature of the draw will be frustrating, but avoiding a loss was crucial and it keeps them still clear at the top of the league. A win would have put that lead over today’s opponents into double figures, and it was looking to be heading that way, but they will have a commanding lead as we approach the split. The defence performed excellently today, and the goal was a bit of a fluke – certainly not something you’d blame on the back five.
A loss would have been catastrophic, and given how Rangers’ attack looked unable to break through City all day, they have to be satisfied with a draw. While it does let rivals Celtic jump two points ahead, they have to make the same trip in two weeks. keeping the gap at seven points was crucial, they need to stay in play by the time the split comes, and then it’s anyones game.
Teams: GLASGOW CITY (4-3-3): Gibson, Evans, Brownlie, Smit, Muir (c), Motlhalo, Anderson, Wrobel, Whelan, Forrest, Kozlova. Substitutes: Warrington (for Evans 24′) Harrison (for Forrest 80′), Maatta (for Whelan 80′)
Scorer: 1-0 Rafferty (own goal) 16′
RANGERS (4-2-3-1): Fife, Austin, Pegram, Rafferty, Docherty (c), McLeary, Shin-Ji, Berry, Sabajo, Brookshire, Wilkinson. Substitutes: Eddie (for Pegram 54′), Cruft (for Sabajo 54′) Lafaix (for McLearly 78′),
Scorer: 1-1 Brookshire 85′
Referee: Mark Daly
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