STEVIE LEFT BLUE AFTER GERS SHOW

CEDRIC ITTEN rescued a point for Rangers yesterday in a 1-1 draw at Motherwell as their long run of 15 successive Premiership wins came to an end.

Sub Itten (above) headed home Borna Barisic’s cross 18 minutes from time after Devante Cole opened the scoring on 21 minutes.

But Light Blues manager Steven Gerrard was not impressed by his men.

He said: “We didn’t start the game in the right place.

“We were passive out of possession in too many key areas.

“We got into them at half time and I had to make a sub to send a message as well. That reaction has to come from the beginning of the game.

“But hopefully this will be a valuable point come the end of the season.”

It stretched Gers’ lead back to 21 points from Celtic in second and it was a second successive draw for new Well manager Graham Alexander.

But he felt Rangers’ goal should not have counted.

He said: “But for a potential offside goal we would’ve won the game.

“I’ve seen a still and it looks offside to me.”

Champions Celtic can cut Gers’ lead to 18 points at Livingston on Wednesday.

However the Hoops remain winless in 2021 after they were held to a 0-0 draw at Parkhead by Livi on Saturday.

Manager Neil Lennon and 13 players were absent through self-isolation and coach Gavin Strachan said: “With events that have gone on, the players’ confidence has probably been affected.”

Aberdeen were thrashed 4-1 at Ross County, where Oli Shaw scored twice.

But Dons’ Jonny Hayes, Ross McCrorie and Ash Taylor were all hurt, and boss Derek McInnes said: “We have two players leaving on crutches, it’s been a horrible afternoon.”

New County boss John Hughes said: “I’ve got a committed bunch of boys.”