Motherwell come close to a famous victory over Rangers
IN recent times there have been three certainties in the life of an average Motherwell fan.
Death, taxes and the sure knowledge their team won’t get anything from a game against Rangers.
The Steelmen went into this one not having won ANY of their previous 36 top flight matches between the pair.
Furthermore, in the last two decades they have only recorded one regular season league win success at Ibrox.
New manager Stephen Robinson arrived with has less baggage, though, and here, the team that was not-that-so-long-ago beaten 7-2 by Aberdeen gave it a pretty good go at doubling the tally.
They streaked into the lead with a goal that was every bit as straightforward as it was startling to the home support.
Rob Kiernan, back in the Rangers side after suspension, conceded a corner, Chris Cadden swung the ball in and Louis Moult rose to head home.
That it really was as simple as that would have been a concern for new Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha.
The hosts didn’t panic but continued with a game plan geared towards attacking with pace and purpose.
One good break, in particular, saw Martyn Waghorn skip past Craig Samson before tumbling to the ground.
Supporters howled for a penalty but whatever the on-form Rangers striker was selling, Steven McLean wasn’t buying and instead reached into his pocket and pulled out the yellow card to book the attacker for simulation.
If they weren’t impressed by that decision, they were furious soon when Mother well midfielder Stephen Pearson received the same sanction for a reckless looking lunge on Jon Toral that left the loan player sprawled out on the surface.
Waghorn was lively and showed decent intent again when swivelling on to a pass from Barrie McKay to shoot just wide.
The sides’ return after the interval revealed a major shake- up by Caixinha who used up all three of his available substitutions.
And the changes were nothing if not adventurous with Joe Garner, Michael O’Halloran and Andy Halliday replacing the defensive trio of Lee Wallace, Clint Hill and Lee Hodson.
The first two, it later emerged, were injured while the third had been suffering from flu.
At the time, though, it was baffling for spectators and disorientating for the players.
“I don’t think I’ve been involved in a situation where we made three changes at the break,” said McKay.
“As a footballers you have to be ready for these things and you just need to get on with it.
“We didn’t really know what formation we were playing – we had two central midfielders playing centre- half so it was obviously a change.”
The back four became a three marshalled by Toral. More important was the impact it made further up the pitch as it delivered an equaliser.
Waghorn moved the ball to Kenny Miller and the striker crossed deep to the back post where the ball was met by the left boot of the in-rushing Garner.
Both sides had plenty of chances after that with Moult netting via a deflection off of Pearson only to see it disallowed for offside.
Otherwise, the goalkeepers were too good with Wes Foderingham’s superb double save from Moult and Scott McDonald the pick of the stops.
The result leaves Rangers 10 points behind Aberdeen and 27 worse off on goal difference.
And while next Sunday’s match at Pittodrie will provide the opportunity to cut into the deficit, a second place finish is looking an increasingly tough ask.
Last word, though, belongs to Motherwell.
“We’re massively disappointed only to be leaving with a point,” said Moult.
“That was probably our best performance of the season.
“We created a lot of chances, we looked strong and they struggled to cope with our formation.”
“But we have got to take the positives. To come here and get a 1-1 is fantastic for us.”