Rangers emerged as the victors of a wet and wild game at Fir Park where they took on Motherwell and secured a 2-0 win. This victory has brought them closer to catching up to the current cinch Premiership leaders, Celtic.
Kieran Dowell played a crucial role by initiating and ultimately finishing off the opening goal in just the fourth minute. Shortly after, Todd Cantwell added a second goal in the 16th minute. The first half saw the potential for more goals, but with the wild weather conditions, the early brace proved to be enough for the Light Blues.
This win positions Rangers just two points behind their Old Firm rivals, Celtic, with a game in hand. Their focus now shifts to their upcoming match against Ross County, which will be followed by a crucial encounter at Celtic Park on December 30.
Philippe Clement, who took over from Michael Beale in October, has proven to be a valuable asset to Rangers, going 16 games unbeaten. On the other hand, Motherwell continues to struggle, having gone 15 games without a win and retaining a five-point lead over the second bottom Livingston. With this in mind, boss Stuart Kettlewell is left to wonder how and when they will be able to turn their season around.
A growing injury list amidst a busy fixture schedule prompted Clement to make four changes to the Rangers lineup. Leon Balogun, Cantwell, Dujon Sterling, and Cyriel Dessers were brought back into the team, while the home side remained unchanged.
The night started as a nightmare for Kettlewell’s side when they quickly found themselves falling behind with a goal from Dowell. The pressure continued to mount as Balogun and Goldson posed further threats, ultimately leading to Cantwell scoring the second goal.
Despite Motherwell’s efforts to fight back, Rangers were in control for the majority of the game. Motherwell had a few missed opportunities, and their fightback began to dwindle as the game progressed.
In the second half, Motherwell continued to push for a goal, with Spencer heading wide from a Biereth cross. The home side also called for a penalty, but the referee was unmoved and Rangers breathed a sigh of relief. Toward the end of the game, Dessers managed to find the back of the net twice, but both goals were ruled offside.
Overall, Rangers’ victory against Motherwell reinforces their position as a strong contender in the cinch Premiership. As they now prepare for their upcoming matches, the team’s morale and performance remain high, setting high expectations for their future games.