Stuart Kettlewell’s impressive unbeaten start as Motherwell boss came to an end as Rangers fought back from a goal down to eventually emerge comfortable winners from an enthralling match, as ‘Well played the final 15 minutes with 10 men.
On the back of two consecutive home wins the Fir Park men headed into this mid-day cinch Premiership clash in a confident mood especially after Kevin van Veen gave them the perfect start with his 18th goal of the season. And although James Tavernier equalised midway through the first half, the Steelmen were still very much in a position to produce a shock at the break.
Even after Fashion Sakala put the visitor’s ahead, ‘Well showed great resilience with Bevis Mugabi forcing an equaliser. However a quick double from Todd Cantwell and Malik Tillman, allied to Callum Slattery’s red card, undid Motherwell’s early promise and contribution.
Following a two week break since their win over Ross County, Kettlewell resisted the temptation to freshen up his side, making only one change with Dean Cornelius coming in for the injured Jon Obika.
From the kick-off ‘Well opted for a high press with Liam Kelly intent on sending the ball deep into the Rangers’ half.
And within three minutes the home side had made the dream start.
Sean Goss curled the ball over the visitor’s back four into the path of Max Johnston who quickly sped towards the right hand side of the box before firing the ball low across Allan McGregor’s goal. It was begging a touch which Van Veen duly supplied stabbing the ball home to silence the Rangers’ fans packed behind the goal.
As the Motherwell players closed down the space and harried for possession, Michael Beale’s men had no rhythm to their game and posed little threat on the home goal.
Indeed, it took a tough challenge from Ben Casey after 20 mins, which earned him a booking and provided Tavernier with the first opportunity to whip the ball into Kelly’s area.
That came to nothing but two minutes later the Rangers’ captain netted the equaliser after a couple of poor decisions from the Fir Park men.
Callum Slattery may have got a touch of the ball but his sliding tackle on John Lundstram at the corner of the box cost him a yellow card and a free kick.
Having curled one home from an identical position against Livingston, Kelly should have been more aware as Tavernier lined up to take the free kick. But the ‘Well ‘keeper showed too much of his goal to his right and the Rangers captain accepted curling the ball low into the corner with Kelly sprawling to keep it out.
The Rangers’ fans expected that to be the lift their side needed but an onslaught failed to materialise as Kelly was asked to produce only a couple of saves before the interval.
The first came in the 33rd minute when Casey’s headed clearance found Lundstram 25 yards from goal and his low shot on the volley forced a good reative save from Kelly to beat the ball away. Other that the ‘Well stopper had only a routine save to hold a low drive from Ridvan Yilmaz.
Motherwell were prepared to give possession to their opponents and attack on the counter with speed and three minutes from half time a quick through ball released Van Veen. But as he headed unchallenged towards McGregor his heavy first touch allowed the ‘keeper to collect the ball and leave the game level at the break.
That changed within a minute of the restart when the Ibrox side took the lead.
Tavernier sent an inviting ball across Kelly’s goal and Sakala rose highest to power his header into the net much to the relief of the away fans behind the goal.
Four minutes later the Steelmen almost came up with a quick reply. Van Veen chased a hopeful ball out to the touchline before before turning and whipping a pass into the path of Casey galloping unchallenged towards goal but the ball was too far in front of the central defender.
With 53 minutes played Kettlewell decided that more height was needed in the heart of the home defence sending on Bevis Mugabi for Paul McGinn.
And it proved to be an inspired substitution – at the other end of the park. Van Veen’s tenacity forced Lundstram to concede a corner. James Furlong then floated the ball into a packed box and as the visitors failed to clear the danger in their six-yard box, Mugabi forced the ball low past McGregor.
The Rangers’ ‘keeper was almost caught out three minutes later when he raced out of his box to cut out a long ball. But Van Veen got there first and his delicate lob over the stranded McGregor floated just wide of goal.
It was end to end action and two minutes later Rangers were back in front.
A low ball into the box found efforts from Kent and Colak blocked by Kelly but when the ball rebounded to Cantwell he slammed it high into the net.
There was still a sense that the Fir Park men might reply with another equaliser but it was the visitors who scored again to ensure all three points were heading back to Govan.
This time it was the Gers’ subs who made an impact Morelos cutting the ball back to Tillman who hammered the ball high past Kelly from 15 yards for a spectacular finish.
Although Mikael Mandron and Ross Tierney were brought on in the hope of recovering the situation, ‘Well’s cause was made impossible when Slattery was shown a second yellow reducing the home side to 10 men for the final 15 minutes.
