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Motherwell’s last points at home against Rangers were in January 2021, and with a narrow loss in the semi-final on their minds, the Steelmen wanted to start fast.

And start fast they did. In the first-half, they showed ample energy and class, with Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Tawanda Maswanhise dispatching two efforts past Jack Butland.

Rangers made changes at the interval and got one back within the first five minutes of the second-half.

But then, in similar fashion to recent weeks, refereeing controversy would be at the heart of the match. Tony Watt seemed to have given the hosts the lead, but Kevin Clancy blew bizarrely for a foul on the keeper.

With the goal ruled out, Watt thought he scored again but VAR intervened, spotting an offside in the build-up. Rangers then levelled the game minutes later.

Not many chances would come in the closing stages, with the Well having to settle for a point in their final run out of 2024.

Motherwell were forced to settle for a point after conceding a two-goal advantage following a fiercely contested matchday at Fir Park. 

First half strikes from Australian international Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and strike-partner Tawanda Maswanhise had the Steelmen firmly in the driving seat before a double from Hamza Igamane earned a point for the visitors.

However, prior to the Moroccan’s goals, the Ibrox side had to thank VAR for reviewing and ruling out two ‘Well goals.

Following on quickly from their visit to Celtic Park, Stuart Kettlewell made three changes to his starting line-up. Liam Gordon and Stamatelopoulos both recovered from injury concerns, with Andy Halliday returning to face his former club in the Well’ midfield.

Just as the one minute applause, in respect for the 17th anniversary of Phil O’Donnell’s tragic passing ended, Maswanhise posed his first threat on the Gers backline. Gathering the ball midway in the opponents half, the forward dragged the ball past a couple of defenders before curling a high shot towards goal, but the youngster couldn’t trouble Jack Butland in the Rangers goal.

Having tested the untried pairing at the centre of the Rangers defence, it was exposed once again after 16 minutes when ‘Well snatched the lead.

Stamatelopoulos successfully contested a long clearance after the ball broke to Maswanhise, whose pass sent the Australian striker bearing down on goal before stabbing the ball under Butland for his fifth goal of the season.

With 34 minutes on the clock Motherwell doubled their advantage.

Marvin Kaleta’s high ball towards the penalty spot was only cleared as far as Lennon Miller at the edge of the box. Maswanhise showed his flair to work his way through numerous Rangers jerseys before driving the ball into the far corner.

There was a belief that Rangers could only improve in the second half and within five minutes, the Ibrox men had pulled a goal back.

Danilo hammered the ball through a packed penalty box, rebounding from Oxborough’s right hand post, and Igamane lashed one goal back.

The ‘Well boss having protested at Miller’s booking and a VAR review for a possible red card, was himself shown his marching orders before yet another VAR check was required to rule out a Motherwell goal.

Watt’s left foot drive from the corner of the box was pushed round the post by Butland, but when Halliday’s corner landed on top of the Gers crossbar, Butland punched the ball into his own net. `Inexplicably, the referee had ruled that the England  international was impeded..

Five minutes later, VAR intervened again to deny ‘Well a third goal. Dan Casey was adjudged to be marginally offside before Watt smashed the ball into the net at the third attempt.

Rangers responded by grabbing the equaliser after 68 minutes when Igamane fired the ball past Oxborough to cap a remarkable fightback.

It was becoming end to end stuff as both sides chased a winner and when Sparrow broke into the box wide on the right, he had a chance to test Butland, but he dragged his shot across the ‘keeper.

The ten minutes additional time, largely due to the number of VAR reviews, failed to produce a goal in a thrilling extended finish, with both sides settling for a point.

Stuart Kettlewell reacts to taking a point at home to Rangers.

Manager Stuart Kettlewell wants to see some improvements from his team when Rangers come to town on Sunday. The Motherwell boss isn’t fussed about the busy schedule and insists his players are focused on the job at hand.

Kettlewell provides an update on the fitness of the squad.

Shane Blaney is pleased to be back in the team and playing football, with the Irish centre-back discussing how frustrating it was to spend some time on the sidelines. 

The defender talks about facing Celtic and Rangers back to back, as well the mood in camp.

Motherwell will play their final match of 2024 on Sunday 29 December against Rangers.

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

• Young Adults tickets would ages 14-17.
• Juveniles would be 13 and under
• Ticket Office open from 11am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

There will be no online sales as we need to check they have a continuous purchase history

Supporters are able to buy tickets by visiting the ticket office at Fir Park.

Ticket Office open from 11am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.

Should you be in the UK, it will be live commentary only.

The match is live on Sky Sports.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for this match.

Squad Update

Paul McGinn, Callum Slattery, Steve Seddon, Jack Vale, Ross Callachan and Zach Robinson remain out for this game.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

The Steelmen’s unbeaten run came to an end at Celtic Park on Boxing Day, with Celtic running out 4-0 winners. That was Motherwell’s first defeat since the start of December against Dundee.

St Mirren’s victory over Rangers, alongside Dundee United’s win at St Johnstone, moved Motherwell down to sixth in the table on Thursday night.

Opposition Report

Rangers lost in stoppage time to St Mirren on Boxing Day, as the Gers lost out for the first time in 11 matches. Their strong run of form has saw them overtake Aberdeen and move up to second place in the table.

Summer signing Vaclav Cerny has been pivotal this season for the Ibrox side, with the Czech winger sitting on seven goals already this season.

Motherwell had drawn both of their last two visits to Celtic Park. They were on track for a first-half shutout until the referee awarded a spot kick on the stroke of half-time, which Arne Engels dispatched. 

Tony Watt was unlucky not to convert from Marvin Kaleta’s header towards goals, but just minutes later, Celtic added a second, making it a mountain to climb for the Steelmen.

The league leaders added a third and a fourth before the full-time whistle, ending Motherwell’s unbeaten run. There is no time to ponder, however, with Rangers visiting Fir Park in two days time.

The Christmas spirit failed to last for the Steelmen in Glasgow, as league leaders Celtic swept aside Stuart Kettlewell’s team to extend their lead at the top of the Premiership table. 

Arne Engels broke the deadlock from the penalty spot moments before the half-time break, after Motherwell stopper Aston Oxborough was adjudged to have impeded Hyunjun Yang following the forward’s dramatised fall in the 18-yard-box.

The hosts doubled their advantage, as Engels turned provider, teeing up Liam Scales, who diverted his header to the feet of Daizen Maeda, who coolly slotted his finish into the back of the net. Second-half substitute Nicolas Kuhn struck home the third after his low-drilled strike deflected off of the onrushing Kofi Balmer, wrong-footing Oxborough in the Motherwell net.

Reo Hatate wrapped up the three-points in the latter stages of the game, finding the opposing corner, with a similar low strike on-goal.

The Steelmen had numerous opportunities in the game, but luck proved not to be on their side. Motherwell looked to have a strong appeal for an early penalty claim, as Tawanda Maswanhise went down in the box following contact on the forward’s trailing leg, but the referee disagreed, deeming their to be simulation which earned the 22-year-old a yellow-card.

Motherwell’s clinical touch failed to materialise, as Marvin Kaleta’s diving header ricocheted off of striker Tony Watt, before Watt himself came close to the target after cutting inside from the left-flank, but the striker couldn’t find the yard of space needed to force Kasper Schmeichel into a save.

There will be no time for reflection, as the Steelmen swiftly refocus their attention to the other half of Glasgow, with visitors Rangers travelling to North Lanarkshire on the 29 December at Fir Park.

Stuart Kettlewell speaks post-match on Motherwell’s 4-0 defeat in Glasgow.

Current captain Lennon Miller talks about how it’s been for him to have the armband over the last couple of months. The 18-year-old says he has had to be more vocal on and off the pitch. 

Miller says he has been trying to lead by example, but insists players like Stephen O’Donnell and Paul McGinn have been helping him along.