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Lizzie Arnot’s wonder strike put Rangers on the way to a 2-0 victory over Hibernian as they lifted the Sky Sports Cup for the first time.
It was a fitting goal for the first Scottish women’s game to be shown live on Sky Sports, with substitute Kirsty Howat adding a second in the second half of the final at Tynecastle.
There was an early warning signing for Hibs when Kayla McCoy glanced a header wide, before a moment of magic from Arnot (16), who picked up the ball on the left before unleashing an unstoppable effort across the goalkeeper and into the top-left corner.
Rangers continued to assert their dominance, with Howat rattling the crossbar shortly before effectively wrapping up victory with a well-taken shot across goal for Rangers’ second in the 76th minute.
Sam Kerr drew a save from Hibernian goalkeeper Benedicte Haaland in the closing stages, with Arnot and Howat also going close, but it ended 2-0, with Rangers getting their hands on the first piece of domestic silverware on offer this season.
How Rangers lifted the Sky Sports Cup
Rangers fired an early warning shot when Brogan Hay received a short corner and crossed for McCoy who headed just wide with the goal at her mercy.
But Rangers did not have to wait long for the opener after Arnot pounced on a header up field to net her 13th goal of the season. The forward dragged the ball away from a Hibernian defender before smashing across goal into the top corner from 25 yards, leaving Haaland with no chance.
Lizzie Arnot runs away to celebrate her goal to make it 1-0 against Hibernian
Hibernian had the odd foray forward in the first half, but it was Rangers who remained on top with two long-range efforts from Tessel Middag that went over as they were unable to add to the scoreline before the break.
McCoy headed wide again from a Nicola Docherty cross early in the second half, before Hibernian spurned a chance to equalise when Krystyna Freda fired straight at Rangers goalkeeper Jenna Fife.
Middag tested Haaland from a free-kick which the goalkeeper saved low to her left, before McCoy was unable to latch on to a disguised low cross from Hay.
Kirsty Howat scores to make it 2-0 Rangers
Hibernian sent on Liana Hinds and Nor Mustafa as they went in search of an equaliser, but it was Rangers who were still more threatening, with Howat rattling the crossbar from distance.
Howat was then played in by Hay, taking an excellent first touch before shooting low and hard across the goalkeeper to double Rangers’ lead.
Arnot and Howat both had chances to add to their respective tallies, but both fired over as the game ended 2-0.
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