New Rangers boss Leanne Crichton takes on former Glasgow City colleague and team-mate, Leanne Ross.

by Stuart Mitchell

The Scottish Women’s Premier League’s top two go head-to-head this Sunday as Rangers take on Glasgow City at Ibrox Stadium.

Both are the only clubs that remain unbeaten in the league this season, with Rangers leading the table, a point ahead of Glasgow City who have played a match less due to their involvement in Europe.

It’s Gers boss Leanne Crichton’s first season in charge and will lead the players out at the iconic stadium for already the second time this campaign. Ibrox was also the venue last month, in the only league game that the leading side failed to win, a 2-2 draw against Hearts.

Clare Gemmell played for both is a former Rangers captain and the ex-midfielder has been highly impressed with the start made by the new Rangers boss:

“She brings a lot of experience of the league, which is really good for the players, and particularly players that have not played in this league before. It’s quite a young squad and she brings a calmness and always comes out and gives her support to the players.

The biggest thing that has impressed me is she come in and lost an awful lot of players from last season, probably seven certainly that quite frequently comes across in the starting lineup for Rangers last year, so she’s had a lot of adapting to do.”

Clare Gemmell (@ClareGemmell on X) regularly features as a pundit on BBC Alba and BBC Scotland’s SWPL coverage

Experience from Internationals such as New Zealand goalkeeper, Vic Esson and Netherlands Tess Middag departed in the summer, along with Scottish stars Chelsea Cornet, Kirsty MacLean, Kirsty Howat and Jane Ross, who retired. Rio Hardy also moved on, with Hardy and Howat combining for 49 goals in all competitions last season.

Gemmell, who also wore the colours of City, thinks that this weekend’s clash will be a huge one for the manager and her players with the way Leanne Ross’s side have started the season:

“There is no doubt that it’s Leanne Crichton’s biggest test so far against Glasgow City. You know, how many titles have they won over the years, they came close last season, they got a Champions League spot for second place, and the fact that it’s at Ibrox as well, probably puts an additional pressure on the team and her to go and win the game.

I do think they’re going to be very difficult to beat on Sunday. I think City are going to give them a big big game, and to be honest with you, I think if Leanne Crichton can come away with anything from the game on Sunday then she’s done well.”

Glasgow City have won all five of their league games so far, along with a couple of 3-0 victories in the inaugural Europa Cup against Athlone Town. The only match the Petershill Park club failed to win this season, was a 2-0 defeat away in the UEFA Women’s Champions League versus Austria Wien.

This is Leanne’s [Ross] third season in charge and at the time she probably inherited a squad that probably maybe wouldn’t have been all inclusive as players that she would have chosen.” said Gemmell.

She added: “I think now particulaly this season, it’s probably the first time where we’ve seen a really strong side, a lot of depth in it, and all probably players that are suited to Leanne’s style of play.

Glasgow City narrowly missed out on adding another SWPL title to their trophy cabinet last season, finishing three points behind Champions and long time league rivals, Hibernian.

“The mindset is certainly there, it’s a winning mentality that she’s managed to install in the team. She’s got a lot of experience along with youth coming in and a lot of talent. I just think that they’re really really strong this year, so I definitely think they’re going to be the team to beat.”

Alan Brown of the Rangers FC Women’s Supporters Group, and Glasgow City matchday assistant and supporter Katie Rogers spoke about the start of each teams season so far, and Sunday’s massive game: