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The Steelmen return to Premiership action after securing a quarter-final spot in the Betfred Cup last weekend.

But in Steven Gerrard’s Rangers side, ‘Well face a tough encounter against a side who look buoyed by the appointment of their new boss.

More than a name

It may be Gerrard’s first job in management, but the Englishman looks at home in the dugout already.

He may be one of the biggest names in recent Scottish football history, but the Gers boss is transitioning seamlessly in to his latest role in the game.

If there were any doubters, there can be few now, with Rangers enjoying one of the strongest starts they’ve had to a season in a number of years.

Speaking of that solid start…

It has been well documented now that Rangers have yet to fall behind in a game since Gerrard took over this summer.

In their opening 10 games, the Gers have managed an impressive six clean sheets and have only conceded four goals.

Last term, the top scoring side in the league struggled at the back, conceding the most goals of the top seven sides in the table. That problem looks to be resolved.

They’re sharp up top too

Alfredo Morelos has started the 2018/19 campaign in scintillating form, bagging six goals already.

He’s hit a third of his tally of 18 from last season, and he could well smash that total this term.

Add to the mix new signing Kyle Lafferty, and Sunday’s opponents look threatening at the top end of the pitch.

Balancing a busy schedule

It may be August, but Rangers are juggling a busy schedule in 2018/19, and that could pose a few problems.

With one eye on their midweek trip to Russia, and the pending clash with fierce rivals Celtic looming large next weekend, Gerrard may well be forced to rotate his players to maintain fitness levels.

Ex-Steelman Jamie Murphy is out through injury, and will inevitably be a loss for Sunday’s visitors to Fir Park.

Motherwell take on an in-form Rangers side at Fir Park on Sunday, as the Steelmen look to pick up their first Ladbrokes Premiership victory of the season.

Here’s the game in numbers.

Eight

The amount of wins Motherwell have tasted on home soil in 2018 thus far.

There have also been three draws, including against both halves of the Old Firm, and four defeats, against Kilmarnock, Aberdeen, St Johnstone and Hamilton, from 15 matches in ML1.

10

The amount of seasons that have passed since ‘Well failed to record at least one win in their opening three league matches.

That was in Mark McGhee’s second season of his first spell, when the team lost on the opening day at Tynecastle, before losing at home to Aberdeen followed by a 1-1 draw with Dundee United at Fir Park.

The team finally got a victory the following week, when a debut goal from John Sutton gave the Steelmen all three points against Hibernian at Easter Road.

15

The number of nationalities that could possibly be represented when ‘Well meet Rangers on Sunday.

As well as the home nations of Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, there are players from Nigeria, Croatia, Columbia, Mali, Burundi, Spain and others all vying to be involved in the big game.

16

The number of years that have elapsed since Motherwell last overcame Rangers at Fir Park on league duty.

The Fir Parkers last tasted success over their Ibrox counterparts back in the winter of 2002, with James McFadden the only scorer in a 1-0 win.

The Steelmen did have Fir Park twisting, shouting and shaking with a 3-0 home victory over a Stuart McCall led Rangers in May 2015, but that was in the SPFL’s Premiership/Championship play-off final, rather than the league itself.

20

The number of players that have arrived at both clubs during the summer transfer window this far.

Rangers have signed or made permanent eight players and currently have four on loan.

Motherwell have added six new faces to their pool and currently have two on loan: Conor Sammon from Hearts and Tom Aldred from Bury.

Motherwell take on Rangers on Sunday in their third Ladbrokes Premiership match of the season.

Here’s the key information you need to know ahead of the match.

First meeting of the season

Motherwell and Rangers face for the first time in the 2018/19 campaign, with both sides having racked up plenty competitive minutes already.

The Steelmen came through their Betfred Cup group unbeaten and progressed to the quarter finals with a weekend win over Livingston. But they are still looking for an opening league win, having lost to Hibernian and Hamilton.

Rangers have been in Europa League action and are one game away from a place in the group stage, taking a 1-0 lead to FC Ufa next week.

Ticket information

Tickets are still available for Sunday’s Ladbrokes Premiership clash with Rangers at Fir Park.

Kick off is at 12.15pm and the ticket office at the stadium will be open from 9.30am for home supporters to purchase their briefs for the fixture. We are closed on Saturday. Away supporters should contact Rangers directly for ticket sales.

Online sales are available for supporters who hold season tickets or purchased match tickets from the club prior to Monday, August 13.

All other home supporters are asked to visit the ticket office or call on 01698 333333 to purchase tickets.

All fans will have their tickets scanned on entry to the stadium. Please ensure your ticket has a barcode. If not, please contact the ticket office.

Plan ahead if coming by train

Network Rail have warned of mass engineering works on lines in Lanarkshire, mainly affecting travel between Glasgow and Motherwell.

Replacement buses are in operation between Glasgow and Motherwell, as well as to and from other locations in the west.

For a full breakdown of timetable changes, visit Scotrail’s website.

Can’t make the game?

If you’re in the UK, the game will be broadcast live on BT Sport.

If you’re outside the UK and Ireland, you can watch the game live via our new subscription service. Head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk, subscribe and you’ll be able to watch all Motherwell home games and the majority of away fixtures in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Rangers come calling on Sunday as Motherwell return to Ladbrokes Premiership action.

The two teams served up entertaining affairs last campaign and the weekend’s game is already promising to be another cracker.

A record to break

Under the stewardship of new manager Steven Gerrard, Rangers are yet to go behind in a competitive game in 2018/19.

With 10 matches under their belts, the Light Blues have gone 900 minutes of football without conceding first.

A rejigged defence has also kept six clean sheets this campaign and, in the four games they’ve let goals in, they’ve not conceded more than one.

‘Well buoyed

Motherwell’s league season didn’t get off to the ideal start but cup success has continued.

Having come through the Betfred Cup group stages undefeated, a 1-0 win at Livingston in the second round has sent the Steelmen into the quarter finals and lifted spirits.

The ‘Well have also kept shutouts in three of their seven competitive games so far, netting 12 and conceding six.

Goals in store?

While both teams have shown defensive solidity for the most part in 2018/19, there’s still been plenty goals to offer up entertainment to supporters.

Motherwell matches have averaged 2.7 goals per game already this season, while Rangers’ record stands at 1.8.

When it comes to putting the ball in the net, Sunday’s hosts have a record of 1.7 per game, while the visitors’ scoring rate currently stands at 1.4.

Head-to-head

The 2017/18 season served up a mixed bag of results in the Motherwell v Rangers fixture.

The Steelmen got the result in the biggest fixture of them all, with Louis Moult’s double putting his side through to the Betfred Cup final at Rangers’ expense.

Rangers got two wins – one at Fir Park and one at Ibrox – before a barnstorming 2-2 draw later on in the season.

Curtis Main and Allan Campbell had the hosts 2-0 to the good, before James Tavernier and Jamie Murphy scored the goals to take home a point.

Peter Hartley believes Motherwell can make it two wins on the bounce this weekend, as long as everyone in the squad gives maximum effort.

The Steelmen are looking to get their league campaign off the ground after two opening defeats, but are also buoyed by the win in the Betfred Cup against Livingston last weekend.

Our regular Friday quiz is back again this week and the task for you this time is to name all the scorers from the last 10 encounters between Motherwell and Rangers.

Try your luck and let us know on Facebook or Twitter how you get on.

Stephen Robinson believes his side have prepared well in training this week ahead of Sunday’s clash with Rangers. 

The Northern Irishman is eager to see his squad follow up on an assured 1-0 win over Livingston in the Betfred Cup.

And he believes the players are eager to impress in an important league clash with Steven Gerrard’s side.

He said: “There’s good spirits around the place after a win, and we’ve prepared well this week.

“If we lose, there’s a steely determination about our players. They don’t want to let me down and they don’t want to let the fans down.”

Trevor Carson has been called up to the Northern Ireland squad for their upcoming friendlies. 

The stopper, who earned his first cap in the summer against South Korea, makes the cut for Michael O’Neill’s 25-man squad.

They will face Bosnia & Herzegovina and Israel in the upcoming international break.

Manager Stephen Robinson spoke to the broadcast media on Thursday, as Motherwell prepare to take on Rangers in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

The Northern Irishman tackled a wide range of subjects as his side count down to the televised fixture on Sunday.

On Sunday’s match with Rangers at Fir Park

“I am really looking forward to it. We got our first win against Livingston and I thought we played very well. We did [played well] against Hamilton at times, but didn’t quite get the rub of the green, but it was an important and we need to push on and try and get our league season kicked off.”

On Rangers and what to expect

“They’ve started well, there’s no denying it and look a lot more solid. They don’t look as if they are going to concede too many goals. That said, I’ve seen them in a few games and there are areas I feel we can exploit.

“All the talk will be about Rangers, how they’ve changed and what they are going to do. We have to very much make it about us. We’re at home and have to try and take the game to them.”

On what dynamic Kyle Lafferty will add

“I know Laff [Kyle Lafferty] really well. It’s obviously a good move for him. It’s a club he’s always supported, but I try to concentrate on us. We focus on what we can do to try and beat Rangers and how we can take the game to them. We know what their threats are, I’ve seen them four or five times and I plan to go to their European game as well.

“By the time Sunday comes, we’ll have had a very good look at them. We know where they are strong, we know where they have improved but as I’ve said, we also know where we think we can exploit them.”

On being the underdog in the matches

“I often wonder if we’re actually playing in games like this. No seriously, that’s how it is and I am happy with that and, as you say, go under the radar. It’s an important one for us to try and get our league season kicked off.”

On the Rangers’ threats for the game

“They don’t concede many goals, they are a very disciplined, well-organised side. It’s obvious the new manager and the staff have emphasised that so far this season. They have threats up front, you have already seen what Morelos can do and they’ve brought Laff [Kyle Lafferty] in.

“They’ve got various options, they’ve got different ways, formations they can play and different people they can put in, so we’ll try and be as well prepared as we can for what will come.”

On whether on not Rangers can challenge for the title.

“It’s not for me to say who can challenge for the league title, it’s for me to worry about Motherwell, about kicking our league season off and making sure we go into Sunday with a game plan for trying to win it. It’s not for me to assess Rangers’ chances of winning the league, I am the Motherwell manager and that’s my sole focus.”

On whether last weekend’s win gives the team added confidence going into the match.

“It’s amazing the atmosphere around the place when you do win a game. Obviously everyone was disappointed after the Hamilton game and that was magnified one million times because it’s your local rivals. However, we knew the good things we did in that and what we had to improve on and I felt we did that against Livingston.

“The atmosphere around the place since has been really good, really positive and there’s no fear factor from us. We genuinely believe we can go in and give them a real game.”

On showing Rangers “no respect”

“I am not sure about showing them no respect. I’ve got the upmost respect for every club we play against. So respect yes, but fear factor, no. We’ll try our best to impose ourselves and our game on them.”

On pyrotechnics after Police Scotland’s Chief Constable’s comments on pyrotechnics

“To be honest, I have no knowledge of how dangerous they are. It’s not my area of expertise, I tend to try and stick to what I know. What I would say is that I think Scottish football is very safe and I’d have no problems taking my children to matches.

“As a matter of fact, both are coming to the game this Sunday and I have no concerns. I don’t know if I am in a position to overrule the Chief Constable as it were, he’ll know better than me I suppose.”

On whether pyrotechnics have disrupted any matches

“Personally speaking, they haven’t disrupted any games I’ve been involved in. If anything, they add colour, but I am obviously not an expert on whether they are dangerous or not. All I can speak from is my own experiences and they haven’t caused a problem in any game I’ve been involved.”

On Gary Holt being appointed Livingston manager

“I wish any manager taking any job the very best of luck. It’s such a difficult industry with a severe lack of patience. He’s got experience, he knows the Scottish game and I wish Gary all the very best, expect in games against us, of course.”

On Kenny Miller and if he is of interest now he’s a free agent

“I’ve got a lot of depth in that area at the moment. Ryan Bowman will be available for the game on Sunday having trained all week. You never rule anything out in football, but I certainly wouldn’t discuss who I want to bring to the club in this setting. It’s something I try to keep in house out of respect for everybody.”

On two players included in the Scotland Under 21 squad

“Their inclusion is thoroughly deserved in my opinion. We gave Allan a rest last weekend as he hasn’t had a break all summer. He played five games for the U20s and was terrific, as he was when he came on last weekend. Chris Cadden has gone from strength to strength and I sure Alex [McLeish] will be very aware of both when it comes to the full squad.”

On whether both can progress to the full Scotland squad

“I do – I’ve spoke to Alex at games and he’s very aware of both boys. It’s only a matter of time, but it’s obviously important that both keep doing the business for Motherwell and keep producing their best form and if they do, I am sure they’ll get their just rewards.”

What other teams news do you have ahead of the game

“Ryan Bowman is available for selection as is Liam Grimshaw. We’ve still got Charles Dunne, Craig Tanner and Liam Donnelly missing, but we have a bigger squad than we did last weekend!”

On whether Rangers’ early season performance / Gerrard is good for the game

“It certainly raises the profile of the league in terms of live matches, publicity and the amount of press it gets. Hopefully, in turn, that brings additional finances into the game, which improves the overall structure of Scottish football that, for me, is very much on the up. If anyone is contributing to that, whether it’s Rangers, Aberdeen or anyone else, then of course we welcome that.”

On the different challenge posed by Rangers after the summer overhaul

“You’ve said it – they have an overhaul so they’ll obviously be a different team with different players. Every manager that comes in has a different way of doing things, different way of playing and a different way to set up, so they’ll be different in that aspect.

“Again, it’s not for me to comment on whether they’ve improved or haven’t improved under previous managers. That’s none of my business as I say Motherwell and winning games is my sole focus and I will concentrate on us without worrying too much about what goes on with anyone else.”

Andy Rose is the latest player to join us for a coffee and a chat, as we build up to the weekend game with Rangers.

The midfielder discusses the win over Livingston, going toe-to-toe with the Light Blues and his experiences of taking on Steven Gerrard.

Our interview was filmed at the Windmills Cafe in Motherwell.

Windmills is a social enterprise cafe in the heart of Motherwell which is committed to ensuring young people with learning disabilities have equal access to meaningful work experience opportunities. For more information, visit Windmills Cafe’s website.