Motherwell 1-2 Rangers: Ibrox side win after Liverpool humiliation
Motherwell #Motherwell
Stuart McKinstry’s late free-kick caused a nervousness to set in for the Rangers players
Rangers survived a late Motherwell rally to bounce back from their Liverpool mauling with victory in the Scottish Premiership.
Malik Tillman and John Lundstram put the visitors into a commanding lead following a lacklustre first half at Fir Park.
Stuart McKinstry’s deceptive free-kick set up a grandstand finish, but an increasingly nervous Rangers held on.
The Ibrox side go two points behind leaders Celtic as Well sit eighth.
The result means Rangers return to winning ways in the wake of their 7-1 defeat to Liverpool, but Giovanni van Bronckhorst will still have much to think about after a tense 90 minutes.
The first half was almost a non-event, which Motherwell would have undoubtedly been happier with. Ryan Kent and Tillman could claim a couple of half chances, but the reaction to that record loss at Ibrox was not one the Rangers manager would have hoped for.
There was a small sign of intent at the start of the second half when Borna Barisic’s cross found the head of Antonio Colak, but the Croatian uncharacteristically planted his header well wide.
Motherwell went up the other end and gave Rangers a scare when Kevin van Veen drilled a low effort to force a good low save from Allan McGregor. It was Well’s first touch in the Rangers box all day.
However, the game eventually got the moment of magic it so desperately needed when Tillman picked up in his own half. Waltzing forward, he remained unchallenged before throwing his hips, dancing into the area and chipping over Liam Kelly.
The Motherwell mood deflated and Rangers thought the game was wrapped up when Lundstram nodded in from a Barisic corner, with a big help from the toe of Van Veen.
Motherwell’s McKinstry didn’t read the script, though. From a free-kick deep on the left, the Leeds United loanee curled the ball straight over the head of McGregor for his first goal in claret and amber.
But the goal wasn’t the one he dreamed of, as it would only prove consolation as Rangers, who retreated to defend their slender lead, hung on.
Player of the Match – Malik Tillman 
Tillman’s goal provided a spark to the game and he was probably Rangers’ biggest threat all game, but that wasn’t a huge accolade this afternoon. Unconvincing Rangers edge to victory – analysis
A lot was made pre-match of the reaction that Rangers would have to that Liverpool loss, and they walked out the tunnel as a side that were still hurting.
Their pride had been damaged and they weren’t ready to roar back to winning ways. But they still carved out a win.
They were tentative in attack, waiting and waiting for something to happen. Eventually it did, and they have Tillman and lackadaisical Motherwell defending to thank.
It looked like the game was done and dusted until McKinstry’s goal gave Well belief, but they could not properly test McGregor again and Rangers return to Ibrox with a precious three points.
What’s next?
Motherwell host Celtic on Wednesday night (18:15 BST) in the League Cup, while Rangers welcome Dundee (20:15).
Player of the match
GossSean Goss
Motherwell
Squad number27Player nameGoss
Squad number1Player nameKelly
Squad number9Player namevan Veen
Squad number17Player nameMcKinstry
Squad number16Player nameMcGinn
Squad number15Player nameJohansen
Squad number26Player nameTierney
Squad number8Player nameSlattery
Squad number24Player namePenney
Squad number4Player nameLamie
Squad number23Player nameMorris
Squad number5Player nameMugabi
Squad number18Player nameCornelius
Rangers
Squad number4Player nameLundstram
Squad number71Player nameTillman
Squad number9Player nameColak
Squad number26Player nameDavies
Squad number37Player nameArfield
Squad number38Player nameKing
Squad number10Player nameDavis
Squad number17Player nameMatondo
Squad number31Player nameBarisic
Squad number14Player nameKent
Squad number2Player nameTavernier
Squad number23Player nameWright
Squad number1Player nameMcGregor
Squad number20Player nameMorelos
Line-ups Motherwell
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Kelly
16McGinn15Johansen4Lamie24Penney
8Slattery27Goss
23Morris26Tierney17McKinstry
9van Veen
Substitutes
Rangers
Formation 4-2-3-1
1McGregor
2Tavernier38King26Davies31Barisic
37Arfield4Lundstram
17Matondo71Tillman14Kent
9Colak
Substitutes
Live Text
Match ends, Motherwell 1, Rangers 2.
90’+6′
Second Half ends, Motherwell 1, Rangers 2.
90’+3′
Steven Davis (Rangers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90’+3′
Foul by Josh Morris (Motherwell).
90′
Dean Cornelius (Motherwell) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
90′
Ryan Kent (Rangers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
90′
Foul by Dean Cornelius (Motherwell).
89′
Substitution, Motherwell. Dean Cornelius replaces Callum Slattery.
87′
Leon King (Rangers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
87′
Foul by Leon King (Rangers).
87′
Stuart McKinstry (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
86′
Attempt missed. John Lundstram (Rangers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Borna Barisic with a cross.
83′
Attempt missed. Stuart McKinstry (Motherwell) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left from a direct free kick.
83′
Foul by Steven Davis (Rangers).
83′
Sean Goss (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
81′
Offside, Motherwell. Sondre Johansen tries a through ball, but Bevis Mugabi is caught offside.
81′
Substitution, Rangers. Alfredo Morelos replaces Antonio-Mirko Colak.
79′
Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Scott Wright.
78′
Foul by Malik Tillman (Rangers).
78′
Callum Slattery (Motherwell) wins a free kick on the right wing.