Rangers ran over the top of Hibs in a thumping 7-0 annihilation that highlighted the strength of the SWPL’s side top three sides.
Hibs, historically one of the stronger sides in the women’s game, could not live with Jo Potter’s side who were ruthless in their destruction of the visitors at Ibrox.
The game was effectively over by the break – by which time Rangers were 3-0 up – with the screw turned again in the second period. Kirsty How claimed four, Rio Hardy, Kathy Hill and Megan Bell all chipped in to add their names to the scoresheet.
Rangers looked to quickly capitalise on home advantage as they came out of the blocks but Hibs, to their credit, were able to withstand the early pressure.
Former Celtic winger Tegan Bowie almost gave Hibs a surprise lead when she flashed an effort just wide after running at Rangers before Potter’s side stepped it up a gear with two quick goals to kill off any ambitions Grant Scott’s side had of taking anything.
Hibs were architects of their own downfall after they conceded a sloppy corner – Lauren Dunbar loose backpass conceded the set piece – from which Howat’s low effort squirmed under goalkeeper Katie Fraine. There were more.
Howat was the architect of the second after Fraine couldn’t hold her effort with the ball falling kindly into the path of Rio Hardy who had the easiest of tasks to tap in the loose ball.
As Rangers kept on going, a third quickly followed as Hibs’ resolve collapsed with the Leith side again complicit in the cheapness of the goal conceded.
Fraine didn’t deal with a simple cross and dropped the ball with Howat on hand to ensure Rangers took full advantage of the mistake.
The unfortunate stopper was replaced at the break with Nina Wilson brought on to take the gloves.
Unfortunately for Hibs the change in keeper did not alter the pattern of the game.
Hardy cut the ball back for Howat to claim her hat-trick before Kathy Hill rose above Wilson to head in the fifth. The sixth duly followed with Bell winning and converting with a fine free-kick.
Hibs’ misery wasn’t finished there. As the game edged towards the regulation 90 there was another as Howat completed a memorable afternoon with her fourth and Rangers’ seventh.
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