Celtic produced a Hallowe'en treat to beat Rangers 1-0 and book their place in the SWPL Cup semi-final, with Charlie Wellings’ second-half strike proving decisive in the derby clash.

Fran Alonso’s side started brightly, with Jacynta looking to get a shot away in the opening minutes, before Jodie Bartle picked out Wellings with a well-timed defence-splitting pass for the striker to slot the ball past goalkeeper, Jenna Fife, but Brianna Westrup was there to clear the danger for the home side.

The Hoops were unlucky not to take the lead on 20 minutes following another good move. Clarissa Larisey drove towards the box before slipping it for Rachel Donaldson who delivered the ball into the box, but Jacynta couldn’t make the connection and despite Jodie Bartle’s attempts in the second phase, the hosts cleared to safety.

Rangers began to grow a little more into the game, with Westrup going closest when she headed into Celtic keeper, Chloe Logan’s hands from the corner, while for Celtic, Olivia Chance’s threaded through ball for Wellings had too much on it for the Hoops forward to latch on to.

A minute into the second period, there was a blistering break for Celtic. Jacynta cut in through the middle and laid off for Tegan Bowie, on as a substitute at the start of the second-half, but Shen Mengyu knocked the cross just wide at the near post.

Rangers had a chance moments later when a Zoe Ness shot when just past the post, but on 56 minutes, Celtic got the breakthrough as Wellings drilled in a low shot from distance which the Rangers keeper could do nothing to prevent nestling in the net.

Shortly after the hour mark, Wellings looked to turn provider, delivering a great cross for Larisey, but she couldn’t quite stretch enough to direct a shot on target.

Into the last 10 minutes, Kathleen McGovern looked to capitalise on another error from Fife, who was drawn out by Wellings at the corner of the box, but her shot from range was denied by the keeper who recovered just in time.

Celtic remained resolute in defence in the closing stages, while always looking dangerous on the attack, and the final whistle signalled a first semi-final appearance in the competition for the Hoops since 2018.

Fran Alonso’s side have a busy week ahead of them, with a midweek match against Hearts before they play Rangers again in the league next Sunday.

CELTIC: Logan, Shorts, Clark, Hayes, Bartle, Chance, Shen (Craig 83), Donaldson (Bowie 46), Jacynta (McGovern 75), Wellings, Larisey (Warrington 90+4).
Subs: Johnstone, Toland, Olafsdottir Gros,

Hallowe'en treat as Hoops beat Rangers in League Cup clash