A determined Motherwell recovered from an early James Tavernier goal to take a deserved point thanks to Emmanuel Longelo’s long overdue equaliser four minutes from the end of an exciting encounter.
The opening day of the Scottish Premiership League season brought former Norwich City teammates head-to-head for the first time as managers.
And despite a draw, it was Well boss Jens Berthal Askou who took the honours after a terrific performance that left Russell Martin’s men hanging on for a point at the end.
Starting with the same eleven who proved a match for Hertha Berlin, the Steelmen
Brave and confident from start to finish, the home side immediately pressed Rangers towards Jack Butland’s goal.
There was an early touch for Calum Ward at the other end when he raced across his line to push Tavernier’s curling free kick round his right-hand post.
Butland was then forced into his first save to prevent an own goal. Nasser Diga’s outstretched boot directed Tawanda Maswanhise’s cross towards his keeper with Apostolos Stamatelopoulos lurking behind him.
The ‘Well goal then had a scare when Danilo’s snapshot from 20 yards skimmed the top of Ward’s crossbar.
The next threat after 13 minutes, though, was on target as Rangers opened the scoring.
And following a positive start from the Fir Park side, it was a careless moment that led to the goal.
Paul McGinn, attempting to play out from the back, needlessly conceded a corner. And when Joe Rothwell crossed the ball into a packed box, Tavernier rose to nod the ball down and beyond Ward.
To their credit the Fir Park men stuck to their game plan and gradually gained more of the play around the visitor’s penalty area.
Midway through the half, Elliot Watt’s switch of play sent Longelo into the box, and his low-angled drive had Butland at full stretch to save.
A couple of minutes later a quick break on the right opened up for Koutroumbis to find Stamatelopoulos and Maswanhise racing through the middle, but the Australian’s cross was just too strong.
Minutes from half-time another cross from the right, this time by Maswanhise, saw the ball rise above Elijah Just in the six-yard box.
After Danilo’s header gave Ward his first comfortable save of the second half, the Steelmen resumed their pursuit of an equaliser as they peppered Butland’s goal with a series of goal efforts.
Firstly, Longelo’s free kick found Stamatelopoulos beyond the six-yard area, but he could only blast the ball over the bar.
Then Calum Slattery’s free kick found Koutroumbis rising at the back post only to power his header wide of goal.
Stamatelopoulos then had an angled drive blocked by Diga before Well came close to an equaliser.
McGinn, looking to atone for his earlier error, worked a 1-2 at the edge of the box before curling a low finish, which was heading inside Butland’s left-hand post until the Gers keeper at full stretch superbly palmed the ball away.
As the Well fans acknowledged the players’ efforts, Stamatelopoulos had another drive blocked, this time by John Souttar, before the Australian striker came agonisingly close to finding the net.
From the left side of the box Just floated an inviting ball into the six-yard box, but although Stamatelopoulos tried to cushion his header, the ball drifted inches over the bar.
Liam Gordon’s injury after 72 minutes forced Stephen O’Donnell to replace him in central defence.
But Well were still determined to find an equaliser, and with just over ten minutes remaining, after a hard-working shift and standing ovation from the home fans, Stamatelopoulos made way for Ibrahim Said.
Finally, four minutes from time, the Steelmen were rewarded.
Longelo’s mazy run across the box was ended, but when Koutroumbis fired the loose ball towards the goal, it was deflected into the path of the former Birmingham City player, who swerved a wonderful drive beyond the diving Butland.
As four minutes of additional time was indicated, a double substitution by Askou almost found a winner.
Two minutes later Said sent Sparrow into the box, and his clever touch with the outside of his right boot looked to evade Butland until another superb save denied Motherwell three points they probably deserved after dominating the second-half.
Motherwell Team: Ward, Koutroumbis, Gordon (71′), McGinn, Longelo, Watt, Fadinger, Slattery, Just, Maswanhise, Stamatelopoulos (78′).
Motherwell Subs: Oxborough, Wilson, O’Donnell (71′), Balmer, Whyte, Halliday, Ross, Said (78′), Sparrow.
