Celtic stay top of SWPL but Old Firm draw leaves title-race on a knife-edge

Rangers and Celtic have played out a goalless draw that leaves the destination of the SWPL title on a knife-edge going into the last three games.

Both sides were equal on points going into the game at Clyde’s Broadwood stadium with the Hoops leading the way on goal-difference.

And that’s how it stayed after a hard-fought 90 minutes on Monday afternoon that keeps Celtic’s slender lead intact.

The league leaders also have a more favourable run-in with Rangers still to play last season’s champions Glasgow City away as well as games against Hibernian in Edinburgh and a home game against Partick Thistle.

Meanwhile Celtic have two home games against Partick Thistle and Hibs and an away trip to Hearts.

In the six Old Firm games this season Jo Potter’s side have won three, with two coming in cup competitions, and Elena Sadiku’s women winning one with the other two ending in a draw.

Celtic fans set off pyro in the away end during the match at Broadwood. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group) SNS Group

Rangers had most of the early possession in the first-half – but both sides had good chances to break the deadlock with the best of those going Celtic’s way.

Eilidh Austin came closest for the home side when she smacked a shot off the bar from range that looked as if it was in all the way before hitting the woodwork.

Celtic’s best chance fell to Natasha Flint who will feel she should have done better with a lobbed effort that went over the bar with Rangers also forced to defend a flurry of corners.

It was all square going into the break, just as it was when they last met at Hampden just over of a week ago in the lacklustre semi-final that Rangers eventually won 2-0 to reach the Scottish Cup final.

Celtic started the second-half on the front-foot and Flint had a good curling effort well saved by Victoria Esson.

Flint was again involved when she raced on to a through ball and tried a shot from a narrow angle, but Esson produced a finger tip save to keep it out and force a corner.

Tess Middag had Rangers first real effort of the half when she connected with a Rachel Rowe cross in the box, her her looping header was just over and landed on the top the net.

As the game entered the last 20 minutes it was Celtic very much in the ascendency as they looked for the goal that would make them firm favourites for the title.

Rangers on the other hand were struggling to get out of their own half and were forced to defend their box for long periods, but still managing to hang on.

But Potter’s side have had a lot of success from late goals this season and they made another push in the last ten minutes when they enjoyed their best spell of the half.

And Mia McCauley came close to grabbing a late winner with a last minute strike that came crashing back off the bar.