Deja blue as double act pick up where they left off
ON the brink of adding a ninth summer signing, Joe Dodoo, to bolster scoring options, Rangers relied on a deadly duo from last season to conjure the classy finishes that topped a superior second half display and saw off Motherwell.
James Tavernier, from full-back, and striker Martyn Waghorn were good for 43 goals between them in Mark Warburton’s first campaign.
There is the promise of more from the former Wigan duo this season as they publicly put behind them their rejection of fresh contract terms.
These trusted talents reverted to type with two technically superb strikes as Rangers recovered from a rusty opening period to survive a series of scares and prevail over the fifth-best team in the top flight from last term’s league campaign.
There lies ahead a more complex yet compressed path, via four Group F games in nine days, on the road to Hampden in this revamped Betfred Cup format.
But claiming a Premiership victim on the opening day confirms that Rangers look capable of going all the way, just as they did as a Championship side en route to last season’s Scottish Cup Final.
New signings Niko Kranjcar and Josh Windass were integrated in the second half to give a hint of the new talent at Warburton’s disposal, leaving Motherwell to wish they had converted one or two from the litany of chances they enjoyed in the first period.
Clint Hill, Lee Hodson and Matt Gilks will now start against Annan Athletic on Tuesday. Joey Barton, who watched the first half at Fir Park from a seat in the main stand, will make his Rangers debut at some stage of the Ibrox tie.
Yesterday, though, Warburton’s men stayed true to last season’s vintage as Harry Forrester for Gedion Zelalem was the only difference to the side that lost to Hibs at Hampden. So it’s fair to say not much had changed early on. Rangers were vulnerable at the back and slick going forward.
Although Waghorn twice went close late in the half, the visitors were fortunate not to conceded once or twice as Motherwell stole in behind four times in the opening 17 minutes.
Andy Halliday cleared off the line from Lionel Ainsworth after Marvin Johnson’s pace on the break exposed the Rangers defence.
Wes Foderingham’s glow-in-the-dark gloves stood out and stopped Scott McDonald before turning another Ainsworth drive round the post.
Chris Cadden dragged wide when sent clear by Ainsworth. McDonald was unmarked at the near post and any kind of connection would have given Motherwell — who handed first starts to Richard Tait, Ben Heneghan and Carl McHugh — a half-time lead.
Rangers emerged determined to pin Mark McGhee’s side back and they broke the deadlock within three minutes. Tavernier, who scored Rangers’ first goal of last season at Easter Road and was ever-present in their title triumph, showed that none of his attacking danger had waned over the summer break.
Waghorn cleverly drew a clutch of Motherwell defenders to him to the right of the penalty box before feeding the ball back to his mate. Tavernier connected with a glorious right-foot dig high into the far corner of the net.
Forrester, who smacked the crossbar, joined Kenny Miller in making way as the hour mark heralded something fresh for Rangers.
Almost a fresh-air shot, in fact, from Kranjcar as the substitute was unable to make a graceful contribution with his first touch. His muffed effort saw Lee Wallace follow up with a fierce hit from close range that was well blocked by Craig Samson.
However, the Croatian’s quality passes and vision for the remainder of the contest, plus the bustling work of fellow sub Josh Windass, augur well for when both players merge into the mix of Warburton’s gameplan.
Barrie McKay added to the Rangers missed opportunities by blazing over from eight yards.
There was no pre-season feeling about the mood on the touchline as McGhee grabbed fourth official Kevin Clancy by way of protesting about Tavernier’s lunge on Johnson. Referee Steven McLean let the Motherwell boss off with a lecture.
Minutes later, McGhee actually owed the officials after two let-offs for his team.
First, Samson darted out his area with abandon to blatantly block from Waghorn with his left elbow. This was red-card territory for the keeper and a free-kick for Tavernier to strike — but bafflingly neither were awarded.
Heneghan was also fortunate to escape sanction as he leant into McKay’s shot with his arm in the penalty box.
Rangers went about correcting the scoreline by fair means. Right on 90 minutes, Waghorn collected from Michael O’Halloran and, from 20 yards, curled a delightful low finish off the inside of Samson’s right-hand post.