Rangers 5-0 Aberdeen: Ross treble as holders set up Glasgow City tie in Women’s Scottish Cup final

Jane Ross scored a hat-trick as holders Rangers beat Aberdeen 5-0 to set up a Women’s Scottish Cup final meeting with Glasgow City.

Rangers bettered City’s 4-0 semi-final defeat of Motherwell but Sunday’s tie was not quite the commanding performance the score suggested, with Rio Hardy and Lizzie Arnot also on target.

Sunday’s favourites applied pressure right from the off and, while Aberdeen goalkeeper Annalisa McCann and the Dons defence held firm by keeping out efforts from Arnot and Katie Wilkinson, the underdogs succumbed after nine minutes.

Mia McAulay raced down the right and laid the ball on a plate for Ross, who from six yards got her side off the mark.

In a rare foray forward, Aberdeen’s Kerry Beattie burst down the wing and sent in a fine ball for Francesca Ogilivie. Unfortunately for her, 15-year-old May Cruft, on her second competitive start for Rangers, was there to snuff out any danger.

Arnot should have doubled Rangers’ lead on 33 minutes, but she showed an uncharacteristic lack of accuracy in front of goal.

However, they scored again when keeper McCann came out for a long ball, Ross got their first and unselfishly squared for Hardy to roll into an empty net.

It was a cruel blow for Aberdeen, who had been defending well and growing into the game.

Half-time substitute Brogan Hay headed towards Ross, who controlled the ball with her chest before finishing early in the second period.

As the game wore on, Aberdeen were clearly tiring against their full-time opponents but Eva Thompson did brilliantly to put in a timely tackle just as Cruft was about to unleash a shot.

Rangers did add some shine to their performance. Ross sealed her treble after pouncing on a rebound, McCann’s save from Arnot falling to the Scotland international almost on the goal line.

And Ross turned provider for Arnot at close range in the closing minutes.

Aberdeen will take some positives from their first ever Hampden appearance, as they now look to maintain their top-flight status.

Rangers perhaps weren’t at their best but are through to their third Scottish Cup final in as many seasons and still have a chance of a domestic treble after sealing the SWPL Cup in March.

And they will meet future Hampden opponents City in Wednesday’s SWPL encounter, which is live on BBC Alba, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

Rangers trail SWPL leaders Hibernian by two points and are one point in front of City.