Rangers return for Redding’s World Cup footballer Nicola Docherty

Nicola Docherty has started her second spell with Rangers. Picture: Michael Gillen

The defender is the latest high-profile signing for the Light Blues who have been building an impressive professional squad for their women’s division this season.

Docherty has left Glasgow City for a return to her former club after landing eight league titles in a row, plus four SWPL Cups and five Scottish Cups. She has also starred in the Champions League for Scott Booth’s side.

She previously moved to Rangers after breaking through at Falkirk Ladies and on her return to the Glasgow club she spoke to the in-house TV channel RangersTV and said: “I am really excited to be here, it is a huge club and a club I have supported since I was a kid.

“I have obviously been at Rangers before and then I left and ventured elsewhere but when the opportunity came to come back I thought it was one I couldn’t turn down.

“In terms of what Rangers are looking to achieve here and the backing the men’s team are giving the women’s team, I think that is only going to be better for women’s football in Scotland and I hope it keeps progressing.”

The 27-year-old is also a key member of Shelley Kerr’s Scotland squad with 20 caps including appearances at the Women’s World Cup last summer where she was given a memorable send-off by family and friends in Birrells Bar.

Women’s and Girls’ Football manager at Rangers, Amy McDonald, said: “Bringing Nicola back to Rangers, her childhood club, was always a priority for us when we started to bring together a squad for 2020.

“Her pedigree speaks for itself in terms of what she will bring, she is a special player and to have her on board is an exciting moment for us.

“She is proven internationally and will add another level of leadership to the group of girls we have assembled here. They can look up to what she has achieved and be inspired, as well as benefit from her ability on the pitch.

“Her acquisition shows that Rangers are attracting top quality players and how much people want to be a part of what we are building here.”