Raging Jo Potter boots Rangers dugout as SWPL title hopes at risk of going up in smoke
An incensed Potter told her players they have to do better or risk being shown the door this summer
An irate Jo Potter booted the Rangers dugout after watching her team slip to third in the SWPL table following a 1-0 defeat to Glasgow City against Hibs.
Brenna Lovera's first-half penalty was the difference between the sides and, with Hibs beating Motherwell 2-0, it means that Grant Scott's side now have a three point cushion at the top.
With four games to go, Rangers are five points off the summit. And Potter was fuming as her team allowed City to leapfrog them into second spot.
She was seen booting the dugout towards the end of the game and said after the match: "We've got to fight for everything. There won't be some easy decisions that have to be made going forward. That's our job and our staff's job to come to terms with that.
"The players will know themselves their levels weren't up to it tonight. They've got to do better if they want to be playing in a Rangers shirt regularly."
Leanne Ross urged caution in the aftermath of the win as she stressed that there is still a long way to go across the remaining games.
"It has been scrappy and tense at points this season between the top five," said Ross. "There have been points dropped all over the place this term.
"They emptied the tank tonight in terms of their effort and I am pleased with all the players. I couldn't have asked for any more of them, including those who came off the bench.
"Psychologically it is a big result to take but I have just said to the players that there is nothing settled now. We need to go again at the weekend (against Celtic). There are four huge games still to go."
Lovera was more bolshy as she insisted that there is ample belief that City can go on and claim the title.
"It’s basically a cup final every time you show up," she said. "I think a game like this, on a pitch like this, with the amount of pressure that’s on the game, if you can’t show up and want it and desire it then you don’t deserve to have it.
"It's just the desire and the want. And there's a ton of belief in that locker room that we can play around people and we can make nights like tonight happen every night."
The lead was fairly reflective of the opening period with City the more menacing of the two sides. Rangers enjoyed ample possession in the second period but could do little with it.
It was notable that Lee Gibson did not have a notable save to make.
In the other games, Celtic left it late to take all three points against Hearts. Amy Gallacher cancelled out a Bruna own-goal before Maria McAneny netted a 93rd minute winner.
At the bottom end of the table, Montrose beat Queen’s Park 4-0. Spartans came from behind to draw 1-1 with Aberdeen while Partick Thistle are currently best of the rest with a 1-0 win over Dundee United.