[tab:Match report]
Alan Burrows at Ibrox Stadium
Motherwell crashed to a disappointing defeat at Ibrox this afternoon as goals from Healy, Aluko and a Craigan OG gave Rangers a 3-0 victory.
The Steelmen had kept it tight for 35 minutes but lost a poor goal, with Northern Irishman Healy turning inside the area and slotting past Randolph.
Sone Aluko doubled the home advantage ten minutes after the restart, the winger firing a low shot home from just outside the eighteen yard box.
McCall’s men never really got going and Stephen Craigan completed the scoring when he turned Lee Wallace’s effort into the net from almost underneath the crossbar.
‘Well made just one change from the side that lost 2-0 to Hearts at Tynecastle on Christmas Eve.
Irish defender Tim Clancy came back into the team in place of Omar Daley; the Jamaican International forced to accept a place amongst the substitutions. The former Killie man would slot in at right-back with Hateley operating in a midfield holding role.
There was a perfectly observed minute silence before the match for the Rangers fans who tragically lost their lives in the Ibrox Disaster of 1971. But it wouldn’t be long before the home fans were making noise after forcing a corner after just thirty seconds. Motherwell survived but the hosts would go on to dominate most of the opening exchanges.
The first effort at goal came after six minutes; Aluko’s reverse ball to Northern Irishman David Healy but his low shot was blocked by ‘Well stopper Darren Randolph at the expense of another corner. Shortly after, fellow countryman Kyle Lafferty burst through the middle after a neat Papac through ball. Randolph was off his line quick to grab but it would be Lafferty’s last involvement, the striker seemingly pulling up with a hamstring injury before being replaced by youngster Robert Fleck.
Rangers continued to retain the majority of possession but weren’t battering at the door. They did get in one more time before the half-hour mark; Healy getting on the end of a Wallace cross from the left, but again Randolph was off his line smartly to make the catch at the feet of the former Leeds Utd striker.
With eleven minutes to go before the break, Healy passed up another excellent chance in front of goal and Motherwell may have been forgiven for believing this could be their afternoon. Papac did well to round Stephen Hughes on the left flank before hanging up a cross to the back post. The 32-year old striker had the freedom of the six-yard box but headed into the ground and over and the chance was gone.
It was a let off, particularly as the same two players combined again thirty seconds later to put Healy racing in on Randolph. However, the Republic of Ireland International had a great starting position and he was off the mark to smash the ball long downfield.
However, after being thwarted on numerous occasions, Healy finally bettered Randolph to put Rangers ahead. Sone Aluko got the better of Shaun Hutchinson on the right touchline before rolling in his strike partner. The veteran used all his experience to roll Tim Clancy before somehow trundling a shot into the far corner.
The goal actually sparked the visitors to life and ‘Well had a half-chance to draw level shortly after. A Hughes ball in from the left was flicked down by Higdon for the supporting Hutchinson. His low shot was deflected wide for a corner.
Motherwell continued on attacking and could, and maybe should, have got an equaliser when Higdon went close at the back post. Keith Lasley’s neat back-heel allowed Stevie Hammell space on the left to whip in a cross. His inviting ball across the face landed at the sliding Higdon but his shot from eight yards out flew over the bar.
Lasley also had a shot on target that was comfortable for McGregor as the Claret and Amber men finished the half well.
Motherwell opted for two changes at the interval – Omar Daley and Chris Humphrey were introduced to add pace to the Steelmen strikeline – they replaced Jamie Murphy and former Ger Stephen Hughes.
Unfortunately, the second half was pretty much dominated by Rangers and only the brilliance of Darren Randolph prevented an embarrassing afternoon for the Fir Parkers.
The former Charlton stopper had to look bright after just three minutes of the second half – blocking superbly from the on-rushing Lee Wallace after the Scotland full-back got on the end of an Aluko cross.
Rangers looked desperate for that decisive second and their American defender Carlos Bocanegra was denied his first Ibrox goal courtesy of Tom Hateley, the ‘Well man getting back on the line to block smartly after a powerful header.
It looked by then as if it was only a matter of time before Rangers got their goal and it came ten minutes into the second half. Edu, Davis and Fleck combined in the middle of the park before playing in Aluko on the edge of the area. The Nigerian dropped a shoulder, turning inside Stephen Craigan, before unleashing a blistering left-footed strike that flew past Randolph and into the net.
The game was all over, even with thirty-five minutes left on the clock, although ‘Well did muster up half a chance when Humphrey managed to get the ball in for Nicky Law, the Englishman could only drag a shot harmlessly wide.
That was the only oasis in a desert of Rangers possession and Steve Davis was next to bring out the best in Darren Randolph. Cutting in from the left, the Rangers skipper unleashed a curling shot that 24-year old keeper turned away in spectacular style.
Further saves, from a Fleck free-kick and a Shaun Hutchinson deflection, cemented Randolph’s claim as the best performer on the pitch however he was absolutely helpless to stop Rangers third and final goal.
In actual fact, the Dubliner was incredibly unlucky having pulled off a brilliant stop from Aluko in the build-up. The striker collected and turned Keith Lasley before bulleting a shot from close-range. The keeper managed a terrific hand, turning it away only for Wallace to blast back across the face where the unlucky Stephen Craigan turned into the net from almost under the crossbar.
Just before the end, former Motherwell trialist Salim Kerkar got his obligatory appearance against Motherwell and almost made an immediate impact on his home debut. He collected a neat ball inside the area but his low shot was blocked by Randolph. The impending stramash in the penalty area was eventually cleared by the visiting defence.
It was to prove the last action of an otherwise forgetful afternoon for Motherwell. McCall’s men will now have to bounce back against Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup next Saturday.
[tab:As it happened]
Alan Burrows at Ibrox Stadium
Full Time – Rangers 3 – 0 Motherwell. The long wait for a victory at Ibrox goes on. 31 games and almost fifteen years and counting…
90mins – Two minutes added on which is a shame #enditnow
85mins – Salim ‘I only ever play against Motherwell’ Kerkar comes on and almost scores with his first touch. Another great Randolph save.
85mins – Five minutes to go – I am sure just about everyone, including home fans, would take the FT whistle just now.
80mins – Attendance is 44,893! All very cold I am sure…
77mins – Decent wee half chance for ‘Well – Higdon slides it wide although assistant had his flag up anyway…
76mins – Rangers Sub: McMillan comes on to replace Maurice Edu with 14 minutes left.
GOAL: Rangers 3 – 0 Motherwell (Craigan OG) – Rangers break – Aluko cuts in, smashes a shot which is saved but Randolph. Wallace hits in off Craigan
67mins – Yet again from Darren Randolph. This time from a Shaun Hutchinson deflected effort. Brilliant block…
66mins – Second Rangers goal has killed the game in terms of atmosphere too. Rangers fans look content and have gone quiet.
66mins – Another great save from Randolph, this time from a Rangers free-kick. The big keeper has kept it respectable…
63mins – It’s a grind now for ‘Well…. Rangers are playing keep ball, trying to pick ‘Well off!
62mins – Another brilliant save by Darren Randolph. Turns it away in spectacular style…
61mins – Rangers break again, dangerous cross into the box is cleared at the expense of another corner. Cleared by ‘Well…
57mins – Nice wee move down the Motherwell right. Humphrey gets to the line, knocks it over to Law but his low shot goes harmlessly wide.
55mins – Good play between Davis and Healy allows the former Aberdeen man to cut inside. Rifles home with left foot from edge of the box.
54mins – GOAL Rangers – Sone Aluko
52mins – Humphrey and Daley causing problems with their pace but no real chances at goal yet
48mins – Motherwell break with Daley, Humphrey and Law. Can’t make much of it though and Rangers clear…
48mins – Rangers almost make it two. Corner from the left is headed towards goal. Hateley is there to hook it off the line.
47mins – Great save by Randolph there. Cross from the right by Aluko funds Wallace. His shot is brilliantly blocked by the Irishman,
46mins – Half time change for ‘Well by the way – Omar Daley and Chris Humphrey are on for Stephen Hughes and Jamie Murphy.
45mins – Motherwell kick-off the second half. C’Mon the Steelmen!
HT – Rangers 1 – 0 Motherwell (Healy)
45mins (+1) – Low shot by Lasley from distance is comfortably held by McGregor…
45mins – Two minutes to be added at the end of the first half…
44mins – Couple of corners for ‘Well … Nothing coming of them so far.
43mins – Great chance for Motherwell. Lasley sets up Hammell with a neat back heel. Great cross for Higgy – sliding shot goes over. Wooft!
41min – Wee half chance for Motherwell. Ball from Hughes, knocked down by Higdon for Hutchy (I think). Shot blocked and Rangers clear.
36mins – It’s hard on Motherwell but Rangers have turned the screw in the last five minutes.
36mins – Edu does well to pick up. Slips in the veteran striker who holds off Hutchinson, turns and trickles the ball into the net.
GOAL – Rangers 1 – 0 Motherwell (Healy)
36mins – Healy then races through 1 on 1 but Randolph is out to clear his lines. Another let off but Rangers look dangerous.
35mins – Great chance for Rangers. Good work by Papac on the left. Cross to the middle was perfect. Healy free header but puts it over.
33mins – Motherwell’s best chance so far. Law manages to break and slips in Lasley on the flank. With numbers in the middle, cross goes over
32mins – Loads of ball in and about the Motherwell box but Craigan and Co doing their best to deal with it.
26mins – Hutchinson hangs a long, deep cross towards the middle but McGregor claims with little problem.
20mins – Game has hit a bit of a lull. Sure no one of Claret and Amber persuasion will mind that too much. Rangers look dangerous on break.
16mins – Murphy breaks from midfield but is crudely brought down – incredibly, no foul. Think Euan Norris might have forgotten his whistle?
14mins – Good Rangers move. Edu feeds Wallace down the left. His low ball forces Crags to knock it out for a corner.
12mins – Wallace bursts down the right with Clancy on the chase. His low ball is well plucked by Randolph with Healy close by. Good save…
9mins – Looks to be a bad one for Kyle Lafferty. N.Irishman goes off on a stretcher to applause from all corners of the ground.
8mins – Lafferty is down injured for Rangers and looks as if he is going to come off. His replacement looks to be Fleck.
8mins – Rangers Lafferty bursts through the middle but he is thwarted by Randolph who is off his line quickly.
6mins – Rangers on the attack… Aluko slips Healy in but his low shot is well blocked by Randolph at the expense of a corner.
3mins – Motherwell have some play deep in Rangers half. Cross from the right but Higgy is flagged offside.
2mins – Sorry, referee Norris!
2mins – Motherwell break but Murphy is fouled. Nothing given. Rangers break, Wallace goes down… No foul. Fair play to referee Muir.
1min – Rangers get things underway – attacking the goal to the Broomland Rd Stand. Early cross forces Hutchinson to clear for a corner.
[tab:Reaction]
Rangers manager Ally McCoist:
“It was a very good performance and result and a great start for us to 2012. I felt we dominated the vast majority of the game, had a lot of chances and scored three good goals and it could have been more.
“When Kyle Lafferty went off it forced us to play the ball on the deck and I felt we did that very well. I thought David Healy had a terrific game in terms of his positional sense and holding the ball up.
“We hadn’t been doing that well enough in recent weeks but David allowed us to get up the field and attack better than we have been recently. I allowed Aluko, Fleck and Wallace – who was terrific all day – to get forward and, of course, David got a good goal too to put us ahead.
“He also had a header over the bar and a left foot saved and that’s the type of player David is but I thought his general play was excellent. I thought it was great goal from Aluko. It was a well-worked goal and Aluko did so well to create that half yard to shoot.
“The third goal is Lee Wallace’s goal for me. I thought he was terrific down that left hand side. He did well to score at St Mirren, he was unlucky not get one at Celtic Park and I’m giving him the goal today.
“He was very good from start to finish. The players had been under pressure after getting some criticism in the last two games and they more than answered it today. It’s only one game and the hard work started today but I was very pleased.”
Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:
“I am hugely disappointed. We’ll probably not have a better chance in coming here and getting result. When you look at it, no Jelavic in the teamsheet, Lafferty gets off early on. But we just weren’t at the races.
“Is it the belief? Do we have to score the first goal? I’ve seen plenty of teams come here and play well and frustrate Rangers. Even at 1-0, Rangers have lost late goals.
“If we’d have got the first goal, it would’ve been interesting to see what would’ve happened with the crowd and their players. But with them getting it, it gave them a lift and it certainly set us back in our tracks.
“Our big players didn’t perform and it was disappointing all round.
“This probably is the most disappointing one I’ve had even though we’ve been beaten heavier because I really genuinely believed we could have a chance if we had played at our best, or at least been defensively strong, battling in midfield and creating chances. We did neither of all them three.”
[tab:Man-of-the-match]
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