Amy Gallacher and Liv McLoughlinSNS

Amy Gallacher closes down Rangers' Liv McLoughlin

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Broadwood Stadium

Celtic remain top of the SWPL table on goal difference with three games to go after a stalemate with Rangers in the final derby of the season.

Jo Potter's treble hunters knew a win would take them back to the summit and after defeating their rivals last Saturday in their Scottish Cup semi-final, the pendulum had arguably swung back in their favour.

But neither side were able to assert their authority in an evenly-matched affair despite Rangers twice clipping the crossbar and Celtic spurning a pair of promising chances.

It means this topsy-turvy title race will go down to the wire, with Celtic still in pole position to lift their first league title. However, with the SWPL Cup won and a Scottish Cup final against Hearts to look forward to, Rangers will not be giving up their hopes of a clean sweep of trophies this campaign.

Defending champions Glasgow City are six points off the top two.

Rangers swept up at the PFA Scotland awards on Sunday but there were no sore heads among the ranks as the hosts started stronger.

Young player of the year, Mia McAulay, caused havoc down the right flank as she has done so often this season. But it was fellow teenager Eilidh Austin who let fly first and her audacious long-range strike smacked the crossbar.

Celtic were not at their free-flowing, creative best but as ever looked dangerous on the counter attack. Twice, either side of half-time, Tash Flint broke away to bear down on goal but dragged her attempts wide of Vic Esson's far post, before calling the shot-stopper into a couple of fine parries too.

Chances were few and far between in the second half but McAulay crashed an effort off the crossbar as time ticked away.

Player of the match - Mia McAulay (Rangers)

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McAulay's team-mates could have used some of the 17-year-old's bravery on the ball. Her drive and quality were on show in the first-half, before being denied a stunner by the crossbar.

Special strikers sleeping? - Analysis

Elena Sadiku stuck with the same side that drew with Glasgow City in midweek after noting how much more recognisable her team were in comparison to the performance against Rangers at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

While that may have been the case, in the past three games the Swede must be slightly concerned that the zip and freedom synonymous with the league leaders has fizzled out.

Since returning from injury, Amy Gallacher has cut a frustrated figure and has not looked like the effective creator providing wonderful assists just a matter of weeks ago.

It's a bit congested up top for Celtic at times, having lost the fluency and rhythm that allowed for some captivating interchanges earlier in the season.

But the same could be said for Rangers. So far, PFA Scotland SWPL manager of the year Potter has managed her four frighteningly talented strikers to a tee, but Kirsty Howat, Rio Hardy and Lizzie Arnot were noticeably quiet, with Jane Ross off the bench in the second period.

Rangers registered just one shot on target and even that came deep into the game.

What they said

Rangers head coach Jo Potter: "We needed to win today, a draw isn’t really good enough for us. The goal difference is essentially a point for them, which is why we knew the win was more important for us than them.

"This game probably won’t just decide the title.

"We just need to make sure we’re doing our business at our end and hope for the best at the other."

Celtic head coach Elena Sadiku: “It’s a better result for us because we are still top of the league and we have the goal difference.

“This was the game that they could have felt the pressure but the players just need to remember that they have done the good [work] and we just need to keep going and trust ourselves that we can do it."

What's next?

Rangers make the short trip to Petershill Park to take on reigning champions Glasgow City on Sunday (16:10 BST). Celtic host Partick Thistle earlier in the day (12:10), and both games are live on BBC Alba.