Rangers 0 Hibs Women 1

Hibs Women secured their first league title in nearly two decades with a historic 1-0 victory over Rangers at Ibrox.

The tense all or nothing encounter was settled via Linzi Taylor’s second half strike, gifting the team their first trophy since 2019.

After a tense 4-2 win over Celtic midweek, the catalyst to setting up this showpiece finale, head coach Grant Scott named an unchanged starting line-up.

Rachael Boyle appeared on the bench for the first time since an away win over Montrose in February after a spell on the sidelines, and Academy graduates Jessica Ramsey and Isla Taylor also made the bench. Both making their professional debuts earlier in the season; the youngsters were not born the last time Hibs won the league back in 2007.

Aware that a draw would secure their first league title in almost 20 years, Hibs weren’t resting on their laurels. Kathleen McGovern’s early ball into a turbulent penalty area caused some concern for the hosts, while a hopeful 40-yard piledriver from Lauren Doran-Barr gave Rangers ‘keeper Jenna Fife something to think about.

Noa Schumacher was also active down at her end. A complacent pass was almost intercepted by Rio Hardy, before Mia Macauley had Ibrox braced for impact with a low drive from the left. The American shot-stopper made herself big to deny the youngster and keep the nerves settled.

A 30-yarder from Nicola Docherty was also well kept out by Schumacher, who was looking to finish her first season of professional football in style.

A goalmouth scramble surely had many Hibee hearts in mouths. Siobhan Hunter, Michaela McAlonie and captain Kirsten Reilly were all denied, before Adams went close after 28 minutes with a powerful effort that was well held by Fife at her near post.

Coming out at half-time well aware that results elsewhere meant Rangers might well throw the kitchen sink at Hibs, Grant Scott rolled the dice by replacing an already-booked Caley Gibb with Stacey Papadopoulos upon the restart.

Hibs remained composed and ready for a title fight. Reilly’s soaring shot from range smacked the topside of the crossbar prior to an acrobatic manouvere from McGovern failed to break the deadlock.

Aware that time was beginning to turn against them, Rangers needed to commit bodies forward. In the end, that proved to be their downfall.

No doubt having a sixth sense to commit herself forward, Linzi Taylor soared goalwards, leaving any thought of defensive duties firmly behind her. Meeting Kathleen McGovern’s cross brilliantly, the summer arrival fired in beneath Jenna Fife with a deft swooping finish. Hibs had lift off.

Pandemonium on the pitch, on the sidelines and in the stands ensued.

Having seen the squad off from Easter Road earlier in the day, the travelling Hibs faithful continued to inject themselves into the game. The players needed it. Committed to playing four minutes of additional time and enduring continuous assaults from the home side, the fans played their part in seeing the girls over the line.

The players gathered on the sidelines, tears began to collect. A generation had passed and, not forgetting that fact, a sea of green and white ran immediately across to the supporters as the full-time whistle blew.

After years of close-but-so-still-so-far campaigns, Hibs were flying high on cloud nine.

Hibs Women, persevered.