GIO’S MEN ARE UP FOR FIGHT
Battling Rangers are over another hurdle... but much stiffer test awaits in Euro clash
THE obstacles keep appearing for Rangers and yet, somehow, they are managing to dodge them. Celtic are still keeping watch in the rearview mirror but they remain within distance in the title race. For now.
First it was a small matter of a first-leg deficit against Braga to overcome in the Europa League quarter-final. Next, it was going a goal behind in last week’s Scottish Cup semi-final against the Premiership leaders. Both challenges faced head on — over extra-time, remember — both tests passed.
At Fir Park yesterday, the sight of Leon Balogun flying into a challenge on Dean Cornelius with a little under half an hour played presented Giovanni van Bronckhorst with another headache.
Enjoying a 1-0 lead thanks to Liam Kelly’s own goal, things threatened to go drastically wrong when Ross Tierney headed in an equaliser before the break.
However, there is strength in this Rangers team. And their secondhalf display did not make it appear that they were the side with a man less. Scott Wright’s strike just after the restart and captain James Tavernier’s penalty — his 80th goal for the Ibrox club — ensured they trail Celtic by three points ahead of the Parkhead side’s trip to face Ross County in Dingwall this afternoon.
Motherwell were dreadful in the second half and did not compete with the visitors, who threatened to be vulnerable given their ongoing striker crisis and the fact there were only three survivors in the starting line-up from last weekend’s triumph at Hampden.
For now, questions hanging over Rangers were answered. Fashion Sakala was a bundle of energy and real menace. Wright helped bundle in the opener and grabbed a goal in a display that will do him no harm.
The hurdles keeps coming for Rangers, starting with their Europa League semi-final first leg against RB Leipzig in Germany on Thursday. Falling flat at this stage simply can’t happen. There is no more room for failure.
Amid his team’s injury problems in attack, Van Bronckhorst stuck with his tried and trusted shape but made eight changes from last week’s Scottish Cup semi-final win over Celtic.
The Dutchman handed a start to Manchester United loanee Amad Diallo — his first in the league since the 3-0 loss to Celtic at Parkhead at the beginning of February — with Sakala and Wright in a front three.
Steven Davis, Glen Kamara, and Scott Arfield were back in the starting midfield, while Balogun returned to defence and Allan McGregor was back in goal.
As well as the injuries to Roofe and Aaron Ramsey, goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin, Calvin Bassey, Ryan Jack, John Lundstram, Joe Aribo and Ryan Kent dropped out of the side and were on the bench. It’s safe to say one eye was on Thursday’s seismic first leg.
Rangers wasted no time in exerting pressure on the hosts. Sakala’s eyes lit up as he charged towards the box on the left and cut the ball inside to Diallo. He appeared to have a clear shot at goal, but Jake Carroll produced a crucial block to divert the ball behind.
No matter. The goal did arrive for Van Bronckhorst’s side in 14 minutes. It was a bit messy, but they all count. Tavernier and Diallo worked a short corner on the left, with the captain swinging in a teasing ball to the back post. Connor Goldson headed it back towards the danger area and Fir Park goalkeeper Kelly fumbled the ball, diverting it towards the goal.
The ball was scrambled in from close range, with Wright claiming it, but Kelly was credited with an own goal.
Motherwell’s reaction to that setback almost led to an equaliser, but McGregor pushed Callum Slattery’s shot from 25 yards wide.
The visitors were soon pressing for a second, and Tavernier drilled a fierce, low effort just wide of the left post.
However, before the hour mark, the match exploded when Balogun saw red. Cornelius had evaded a couple of challenges but couldn’t avoid the defender, who clattered into him on the near touchline in front of the Motherwell dugout.
Van Bronckhorst responded by bringing off Diallo for Bassey as he pondered how his team could withstand playing for over an hour with a man less.
Rangers then yelled for a red card as home defender Juhani Ojala flew in on Wright but only a yellow was shown.
Graham Alexander’s men had the momentum and were level 10 minutes before the break when Carroll delivered from the left and Tierney rose to head home.
Whatever Van Bronckhorst said at half-time worked as his team regained the lead after two minutes of the restart.
Sakala was afforded room to burst through and feed Wright, who took a touch before firing into the bottom-left corner from the edge of the box.
The 10 men edged further clearer from the spot just after the hour mark. Sakala’s pace again caused problems as he darted into the box and was brought down by Bevis Mugabi.
Referee Nick Walsh only booked Mugabi as the last man, given he made an attempt to win the ball, but Motherwell were still furious with the penalty decision.
Up stepped Tavernier, who made no mistake by sending Kelly the wrong way to give Rangers some breathing space.
Aribo and James Sands came on for Kamara and Arfield to offer fresh legs to a team which did not look as if they were a man down.
Motherwell had to go for it, with Kaiyne Woolery, Mark O’Hara and Justin Amaluzor all introduced with over 20 minutes remaining.
But, in truth, there was very little threat from Alexander’s men, who sneaked into the top six thanks to a last-gasp equaliser against Livingston. They’ve still won only one league game in 2022.
Borna Barisic curled a shot wide as Rangers looked comfortable before Sakala was denied.
A far stiffer test surely awaits this week as Rangers aim to shine on the continent again.