We salvaged the season with a second win over the Govan side in four days. The similarities between the two legs were remarkable. Rangers dominated for much of the first half in both clashes but they failed to score. Motherwell got the important first goal and never looked back.
We are staying up, we are staying up!
The manager stood by the same eleven though there were concerns about the fitness of pearson who was receiving treatment to his hamstring right up to kick-off. The visitors started the game, as expected, in command. For the first half hour they were camped in our half with the clear intent of making progress down our right side before launching cross after cross towards Boyd. Whether from open play, free kicks or corners we had to clear our lines. McManus was a towering strength in our back line but the striker nevertheless managed to win a few headers, thankfully off target.
Late in the half we gained some composure and Johnson fired just wide. Just before the break a corner found Zaliukas in space at the angle of the six yard box but with the goa at his mercy he sent the ball into the Cooper Stand.
The second half belonged to Motherwell. Johnson was the catalyst. In 52 minutes he ended a long run from midfield with a deflected shot that looped high toward the goal. Bell was in position to save but his attempted punch failed and the ball found the net. We had the first goal and a three goal cushion.
McCall rang the changes but it took until 66 minutes before Long had to make a save – a comfortable stop from Vuckic. We grew in confidence and another run from Johnson set up Ainsworth for the second. The outcome was now not in doubt and Pearson was replaced by Grant. Johnson was given a standing ovation when he was subbed.
It was fitting that when Erwin was fouled by Wallace the ball was passed to Sutton for the final act of the game. He placed the ball on the penalty spot and thumped it into the net to complete the 6-1 aggregate win.
Lasley was awarded the man of the match award but there were eleven candidates for the honour. It was a great team effort and the reward is another season in the SPFL Premiership – and the bonus of condemning Rangers to another season in a lower division.
The post game unpleasantness that followed will not be an issue when we begin the 2015/16 season on 1 August.
Motherwell 3 Rangers 0
Attendance 9,220
Team: Long, Hammell, McManus, Ainsworth(Sutton 76), Lasley, Law, Erwin(Moore 86), Johnson(Ramsden 84), Laing, Pearson(Grant 74), McDonald