A Morgan Cross goal was enough for the Hoops who went down to ten in the second half when Emma Lawton was sent off

Kelly Clark of Celtic lifts the 2026 Scottish Gas Women’s Scottish Cup

Morgan Cross ended Celtic’s Rangers hoodoo as the Hoops claimed the Scottish Cup at Hampden against Leanne Crichton’s side.

Cross netted the only goal of the game as she drifted in front of Gers skipper Nicola Docherty to convert a Saorise Noonan cross midway through the opening period.

Celtic survived the dismissal of Emma Lawton – sent off for a second yellow just before the hour mark – with Grant Scott’s side standing firm against everything Rangers threw at them.

And the Celtic boss was thrilled to sign off for the season with the Scottish Cup after a tough league season.

“These are special moments when you celebrate with your staff and your players and I am delighted for this team,” he said.

“We have been off it in the league. knowing we’ve beaten the four teams above us in the league to win this trophy tells you there is real character about this team and hopefully now there’s belief.

“At times, we have at times questioned each other as a group, but I see the players everyday and I don’t think there’s a lack of belief.

We just needed to show it. But we showed it yesterday and I am delighted for everyone involved.”

While Scott has not been involved in the long run against Rangers – yesterday was the 12th time the teams have met since Celtic last won – he admitted it is a relief to put it to bed.

“It’s never been something I’ve carried,” he said. “I think mentally for the players, it maybe lingers around but we were focussed every time we played Rangers.

“I never thought there was ever an indication that we couldn’t do it. Look, it’s a non-story now, we move on.”

Rangers had a late shout for a penalty when Mia McAulay went down in the box.

Leanne Crichton

Gers boss Leanne Crichton was more irked about the lack of bite in front of goal than she was about the lack of VAR involvement to give a penalty.

“I thought it looked 50-50,” said Crichton. “I would need to see it back. It was a game we dominated and we think we should have got something from it but it is what it is. We had VAR team and if there was something to be seen the VAR team and Abbie [Hendry] would come to the right decision.

“It was a sore one for us. We had so much control in the game and dominated in huge spells.

“We were toothless in a moment and we have not created enough at the top end. There is a difference between creating chances and creating high quality chances and we passed up the opportunity to do that.

“It is tough.

“No-one wants to stand pitchside and watch your biggest rival lift silverware, something that you felt you could have gone and won yourself. The players watched that.

“They suffered. And it will be the lasting memory of the season for them. And it is how they digest that. The one thing you can’t coach in football is character and it is up to the players now to go and recognise that, process it and see how they respond.”