The most recent visit was the great day in May 2015 when goals from Erwin, McManus and Ainsworth set up a 3-1 win in the first leg of the play-off. Many in the away enclave this week will have fond memories of that triumph but it will be a very different Rangers side that we face this time.
Only Wallace and Miller remain from that team as Warburton’s clearout continues. An opening day draw with Hamilton and a win at Dens puts them a point ahead of us as the campaign gets underway.
Ainsworth celebrates his goal at Ibrox - May 2015
Motherwell delivered an under par performance last week against St Johnstone. The manager talked of a lack of energy and pointed to the physical and mental drain that the midweek game at Parkhead had on his players.
There has been no such inconvenience ahead of the Ibrox trip and we can expect to see a more determined effort from the Steelmen. Jacob Blyth got on the pitch for half an hour last week to provide a different option in attack but he is still building towards full fitness and is unlikely to find a starting berth. Stevie Hammell should be back after the calf injury at Rugby Park but Carl McHugh’s head wound sustained in the same game will keep him out.
We rarely win at Ibrox but it could be that the stinging criticism following the manner of the St Johnstone defeat helps to inspire the team. A 1-1 draw will not disappoint.