Two goals inside the first 15 minutes ensured all three points were heading back to Govan, as Rangers won 2-0.
‘Well fans had to endure horrendous weather before the midday kick-off and their afternoon didn’t get any better as two goals from Kieran Dowell and Todd Cantwell set up the Ibrox side for a comfortable win.
And although it was a much improved, competitive performance from the Fir Park side in the second half, the damage was done and the game lost in that opening 15 minutes.
Weather wise it was anything but a Christmas Eve setting, as torrential rain and a blustery wind welcomed both teams on to an otherwise impressive looking Fir Park pitch.
However, the fans shared some festive cheers as the ‘Well Bois, bedecked in Santa hats and the Rangers fans packed in the Tommy McLean stand joined in some Christmas songs.
Stuart Kettlewell retained the same line-up which came close to ending the team’s winless run against St Mirren last week.
But the Fir Park boss was left raging as his side made a dreadful start to what should have been a tough test for Rangers.
The players might have found it difficult to adapt to the atrocious conditions, but within four minutes Philippe Clement’s men had found the back of the ‘Well net.
Harry Paton lost possession to Kieran Dowell at the edge of the box and the young midfielder raced on to a return pass from Cyriel Dessers, before firing the ball high past Liam Kelly from 12 yards.
It was the worst possible start for the Steelmen, searching first their home league win over Rangers in 21 years.
The chances of ending that statistic was all but erased after 15 minutes Rangers doubled their lead.
Poor defending in front of Kelly’s goal allowed Cantwell to swiftly tuck the ball low inside the ‘keeper’s right hand post.
Still trying to recover from that dreadful opening, the first threat on the visitor’s goal came after 20 minutes when Callum Slaterry’s 25 yard drive skidded past Jack Butland’s left hand post.
Even allowing for the difficult conditions, ‘Well’s decision making and use of the ball was poor.
Careless play from Bevis Mugabi in the centre circle allowed Dessers to race through on goal and only a fine save from Kelly kept the score at 2-0.
Biereth carried play to the other box and only Leon Balogun’s sliding tackle inside the six yard prevented the Arsenal loanee from testing Butland.
However, Kelly was by far the busier ‘keeper and it took two fabulous saves to deny Ross McCausland and Cantewell from extending the visitor’s lead before the break.
Having struggled with the conditions in the first half, Mugabi remained inside for the second, with Paul McGinn, wearing a protective face mask, taking his place in the centre of the ‘Well defence.
That coincided with a much more positive re-start from the Fir Park men.
Within two minutes Georgie Gent delivered a low tempting cross from the left and Balogun was forced to scoop the ball over his own crossbar as ‘Well fans finally had something to raise their hopes of a fightback.
And three minutes later the Steelmen came close to pulling a goal back. Biereth floated the ball towards the back of the six-yard area and Brodie Spencer’s diving header sent the ball back across goal and just beyond the far post.
Kettlewell made his second substitution after 62 minutes replacing Paton with a more attack minded Oli Shaw.
With the intention of snatching a third goal to kill the game Rangers then made a double substitution after 70 minutes but it was the Ibrox defence that looked increasingly nervous.
And in the 73rd minute Motherwell’s best move ended with Ridvan Yilmaz clumsily barging into the back of Spencer as he prepared to fire the ball across the box. VAR’s review deemed it wasn’t a penalty and a couple of minutes another review for a possible penalty was called upon.
Blair Spittal’s free kick into packed six-yard area sparked off a goal mouth melee with ‘Well players claiming for a handball but once again VAR agreed with the referee’s decision to wave play on.
Although the Steelmen pressed until the final whistle for a consolation goal to show for their second half efforts they failed to force a single save from Butland, as Kelly remained equally untroubled at the other end throughout a blustery second forty five.
