Rangers 2-1 Motherwell: Hosts come from behind to keep up pace with Celtic

Rangers survived a scare to go back level with Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic by coming from behind to beat Motherwell at Ibrox.

Devante Cole put the visitors ahead early on with James Tavernier then missing from the spot for the hosts.

Jermain Defoe eventually levelled before the break, with Filip Helander's header sealing victory.

After Celtic's 4-0 rout of Aberdeen, Rangers sit three goals behind in second as Motherwell stay fourth.

While holding the bulk of chances and possession, Steven Gerrard's side were made to work by a Lanarkshire who have not won in Govan in a league match for 22 years.

Reaction & how it happened

Frustrated hosts get job done

Rangers made four changes following their Europa League draw in Porto with Joe Aribo, Scott Arfield, Greg Stewart and Defoe coming in and Ryan Jack, Ryan Kent, Glen Kamara and Alfredo Morelos dropping out.

Motherwell handed Bevis Mugabi a first start as they switched to a three-man central defence. Their wide men were sacrificed but Christopher Long joined Cole up front.

Rangers were restricted to speculative efforts before Stephen Robinson's men took the lead after a move down their left. Allan Campbell helped the ball on to Cole just inside the box and he turned and hit a snap shot which wrong-footed Allan McGregor.

Motherwell continued to frustrate their hosts but had a let-off when the ball was flicked on to Peter Hartley's hand inside the box. Referee Andrew Dallas also ignored another, more hopeful, claim when Liam Grimshaw blocked a cross.

Rangers finally got their penalty in the 37th minute, although Liam Polworth reacted angrily towards Tavernier after being adjudged to have brought him down. The Rangers skipper sent Mark Gillespie the wrong way but the ball bounced off a post.

Barker went off with a shoulder injury just after firing wide of the near post from a tight angle as Kent came on with Motherwell looking like holding on to their lead going into the break.

However, when Steven Davis fired a 25-yard strike straight at Gillespie just before the break, the Motherwell goalkeeper opted to punch away and Defoe returned the ball inside the near post first time.

Rangers brought on Morelos who soon set up a chance for Defoe with Motherwell stretched but the former England striker missed his kick. Hartley did well to put off Morelos as Gillespie saved from the Colombian.

But the goal soon came when Helander threw himself at Tavernier's corner to head into the net from around the penalty spot.

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Rangers

Formation 4-3-3

1McGregor
2Tavernier
6Goldson
5Helander
31Barisic
37Arfield
10Davis
17AriboSubstituted forMorelosat 71'minutes
24StewartSubstituted forOjoat 65'minutes
9Defoe
21BarkerSubstituted forKentat 43'minutes

Substitutes

8Jack
11Ojo
13Foderingham
14Kent
16Halliday
19Katic
20Morelos

Motherwell

Formation 3-5-1-1

20GillespieBooked at 83mins
31Gallagher
24MugabiSubstituted forSeedorfat 81'minutes
5Hartley
4Grimshaw
6Campbell
22DonnellyBooked at 84mins
19PolworthBooked at 42mins
3CarrollSubstituted forTaitat 56'minutes
44Cole
9LongSubstituted forHyltonat 75'minutes

Substitutes

1Carson
2Tait
11Seedorf
14Hylton
15Maguire
16Ilic
17Scott

Referee:: Andrew Dallas
Attendance:: 49,629

Match Stats

Home TeamRangersAway TeamMotherwell

Possession: Home68%; Away32%

Shots: Home22; Away4

Shots on Target: Home5; Away1

Corners: Home5; Away1

Fouls: Home9; Away11

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Rangers 2, Motherwell 1.
90'+6'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Rangers 2, Motherwell 1.

90'+4'
Post update
Attempt saved. Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
90'+2'
Post update
Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Connor Goldson.
88'
Post update
Connor Goldson (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
88'
Post update
Foul by Liam Polworth (Motherwell).
84'
Booking
Liam Donnelly (Motherwell) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
84'
Post update
Scott Arfield (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
84'
Post update
Foul by Liam Donnelly (Motherwell).
83'
Booking
Mark Gillespie (Motherwell) is shown the yellow card.
83'
Post update
Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Liam Donnelly.
83'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Ryan Kent (Rangers) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Borna Barisic with a headed pass.
81'
Substitution
Substitution, Motherwell. Sherwin Seedorf replaces Bevis Mugabi.
80'
Goal!
Goal! Rangers 2, Motherwell 1. Filip Helander (Rangers) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by James Tavernier with a cross following a corner.
80'
Post update
Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Liam Donnelly.
79'
Post update
Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Richard Tait.
78'
Post update
Attempt saved. Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Steven Davis with a through ball.
77'
Post update
Hand ball by Devante Cole (Motherwell).
77'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Liam Donnelly (Motherwell) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
75'
Substitution
Substitution, Motherwell. Jermaine Hylton replaces Chris Long.

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