Cedric Itten rescues 1-1 draw for Rangers against Motherwell
Cedric #Cedric
Cedric Itten rescued a draw for Scottish Premiership leaders Rangers against resolute Motherwell to restore their 21-point lead over Celtic.
The substitute headed in Borna Barisic’s cross and scored against Well for the fourth time this season.
Devante Cole had put the hosts ahead in the first half from Tony Watt’s cross.
Itten’s leveller prevented Motherwell becoming the first side to beat Rangers in the league this term, with the hosts moving off bottom spot.
Cole also temporarily kept his team in front by clearing Connor Goldson’s header off the line.
Graham Alexander made it two draws out of two since taking over at Motherwell, who are only the third team to take points of Rangers this season and are ahead of bottom side Hamilton Academical on goal difference. The Steelmen also have games in hand over the sides around them.
Rangers’ sequence of 15 successive league wins comes to an end and defending champions Celtic could cut their deficit to 18 points when they visit Livingston on Wednesday.
It was a quiet opening from both sides and Motherwell netted at the end of a concerted period of possession with Watt delivering low for Cole to knock home in the six-yard box. Cole had been involved earlier in the move and was rewarded for carrying on his run.
Rangers had barely carved out an opportunity until Barisic’s excellent cross from the byeline was headed just wide by Alfredo Morelos.
That chance perhaps showed the visitors how best to attack but instead they persisted with low crosses that were mopped up gladly by the Well backline.
Ianis Hagi volleyed wide after the break and another from team-mate Steven Davis – making his 300th Rangers appearance – was blocked.
Ryan Kent burst inside from the left to test Well goalkeeper Liam Kelly and the pattern for the second half was quickly being established.
Cole then prevented a goal by clearing Goldson’s header at a corner and Goldson’s next effort, a shot, was kept out by Kelly.
But Rangers finally found the right formula when Barisic’s cross from deep on the left was nodded in by Hagi’s replacement Itten. Alexander said post-match he felt the Swiss striker was offside.
The visitors continued to push as legs tired on both sides and Jermain Defoe, who had come on for Morelos, drew a save from Kelly deep into stoppage time.
Man of the match – Tony Watt 
Watt (right) set up the Cole goal and worked tirelessly for his team in defence and attack What did we learn?
Motherwell had led and created chances in their draw with St Mirren last weekend and it will be a frustration for Alexander that they were again pegged back.
Rangers’ defensive record this season has been strong but they have lost more goals on average as the season has worn on.
The Cole goal was reminiscent of Callum Lang’s opener for Motherwell when the Steelmen lost 3-1 at Ibrox – a low ball from a wide area – and it is unlikely to have gone unnoticed by future opponents.
Going forward, the intricate passing that had been the catalyst for Rangers’ goals in last week’s win over Aberdeen was largely nullified by Alexander’s tactics. Still, they persevered and got the goal their endeavours merited.
What did they say?
Motherwell manager Graham Alexander: “But for a potential offside goal, we win the game. At the time I couldn’t see it but I’ve seen a still in the camera and he’s offside it looks like to me.
“I have pride in the team, in the players, in the club, really, because there was a lot of help behind the scenes to prepare for this game. I thought the team were fantastic. It’s another point on our total. The two games that we’ve had, we’re unbeaten.”
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard: “We haven’t managed to stretch our lead today but at the same time we haven’t lost anything either.
“You’ve seen two sides of us today, a first half showing that wasn’t us and wasn’t good enough but the second half was an awful lot better.”
What’s next?
Motherwell are away to Aberdeen on Saturday (15:00 GMT), when Rangers are at home to Ross County (15:00).
Player of the match
WattTony Watt
Motherwell
Squad number32Player nameWatt
Squad number44Player nameCole
Squad number31Player nameGallagher
Squad number13Player nameKelly
Squad number16Player nameMugabi
Squad number6Player nameCampbell
Squad number33Player nameO’Donnell
Squad number19Player namePolworth
Squad number17Player nameSeedorf
Squad number3Player nameCarroll
Squad number8Player nameCrawford
Squad number4Player nameLamie
Squad number14Player nameLawless
Squad number15Player nameMaguire
Squad number25Player nameMacIver
Rangers
Squad number11Player nameItten
Squad number10Player nameDavis
Squad number31Player nameBarisic
Squad number6Player nameGoldson
Squad number26Player nameBalogun
Squad number2Player nameTavernier
Squad number9Player nameDefoe
Squad number18Player nameKamara
Squad number1Player nameMcGregor
Squad number17Player nameAribo
Squad number7Player nameHagi
Squad number20Player nameMorelos
Squad number14Player nameKent
Squad number21Player nameBarker
Line-ups Motherwell
Formation 4-3-3
13Kelly
33O’Donnell16Mugabi31Gallagher3Carroll
6Campbell8Crawford19Polworth
17Seedorf44Cole32Watt
Substitutes
Rangers
Formation 4-3-3
1McGregor
2Tavernier6Goldson26Balogun31Barisic
18Kamara10Davis17Aribo
7Hagi20Morelos14Kent
Substitutes
Live Text
Match ends, Motherwell 1, Rangers 1.
90’+5′
Second Half ends, Motherwell 1, Rangers 1.
90’+4′
Foul by Connor Goldson (Rangers).
90’+4′
Devante Cole (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90’+3′
Attempt saved. Jermain Defoe (Rangers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by James Tavernier with a cross.
90’+1′
Attempt missed. James Tavernier (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Joe Aribo following a corner.
90′
Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Stephen O’Donnell.
88′
Substitution, Rangers. Brandon Barker replaces Ryan Kent.
84′
Borna Barisic (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
84′
Foul by Steven Lawless (Motherwell).
84′
Substitution, Motherwell. Barry Maguire replaces Robbie Crawford.
83′
Substitution, Rangers. Jermain Defoe replaces Alfredo Morelos.
82′
Foul by Cedric Itten (Rangers).
82′
Bevis Mugabi (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
80′
Substitution, Motherwell. Ricki Lamie replaces Liam Polworth.
79′
Attempt missed. Allan Campbell (Motherwell) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right following a corner.
78′
Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Leon Balogun.
76′
Attempt blocked. James Tavernier (Rangers) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is blocked.
74′
Steven Lawless (Motherwell) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
74′
Leon Balogun (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.