Having broken her two-month goal drought last week, Workington’s Rio Hardy scored again to help Rangers reach the Scottish Women’s League Cup final as they overcame Celtic 2-1 in a gripping Old Firm semi-final clash at Hamilton, writes John Hastings.
It is the second season in succession that Rio has given cup semi-final grief to Celtic, having scored a last-minute winning penalty in the corresponding fixture 12 months ago.
After a cagey; goalless opening 45 minutes, the second half was only three minutes old when Rio raced on the end of a high delivery from Brogan Hay to steer the ball into the net and stun the Celtic defence for her 15th goal of the season.
That goal boosted Rangers’ confidence and three minutes later Katie Wilkinson made it 2-0 with a scintillating 25-yard free-kick to put them comfortably in the driving seat.
Rangers began to boss the game, happy to close out play and despite a very late Celtic goal, they indeed held firm to book their place in the Final, where they face Hibernian on March 22 – the venue will be confirmed in due course.
Speaking to Rangers TV after the match, Rio said that there was nothing better than scoring against Celtic and that she was looking forward to the Final and aiming to help Rangers retain the trophy won last season – with Rio scoring – against Partick Thistle in a 4-1 romp.
