Morgan Cross scored the only goal of the game to earn 10-woman Celtic a 1-0 Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final win over rivals Rangers at Hampden Park.
Cross gave Grant Scott’s side the lead with a close-range finish against the run of play in the 27th minute.
Rangers continued to dominate and were handed a boost when Hoops defender Emma Lawton was sent off in the 58th minute after being booked for the second time.
Leanne Crichton’s side, who finished runners-up in the league, piled on the pressure, but a spirited Celtic outfit held firm to end an 11-game wait for a win over Rangers.
The Light Blues, who had won the trophy the last two seasons, dominated the first half and struck the woodwork after 11 minutes when midfielder Mia McAulay latched onto a Laura Berry pass and drove the ball against the outside of a post from 14 yards.
Poor defending allowed Celtic to take the lead.
Rangers could not clear their lines and when Saoirse Noonan picked up possession, her cross to the back post saw Cross throw herself at the ball in front of Nicola Docherty and guide the ball in at the far post.
Calliste Brookshire set up McAulay 15 yards out but her effort was straight at Celtic goalkeeper Adelaide Gay.
Rangers took control of the game again when it resumed after the break but the decisive pass or final decision remained lacking.
A Berry drive from 18 yards was smothered by Gay, who then saved a McAulay header moments later.
At the other end, Celtic substitute Jenny Smith’s first action was to test Jenna Fife with a decent drive from 20 yards, after more indecision in the Rangers defence.
A hard-fought game became more difficult for Celtic when Scotland defender Lawton was shown a second yellow card for another foul on Brookshire as she tried to break clear.
Rangers piled forward and Kim Shin-ji headed a Brogan Hay cross onto the top of the net.
Gay then punched a Hay cross against her own crossbar before the ball was cleared to safety and Rangers had a penalty claim denied when McAulay went down in the box in added time but despite endless huffing and puffing, Crichton’s side drew a blank.
PA
