The Motherwell fans belted out the new Twist and Shout anthem long after the final whistle as the home fans left bewildered with the lower division’s side's hopes of promotion severely reduced. Rangers controlled the game for the opening 25 minutes but they failed to break through. Against the run of play Erwin opened the scoring and the game changed. McManus delivered a two goal lead at the break before an Ainsworth rocket made it three immediately after the restart. McGregor got the late consolation.
Baraclough ‘s starting eleven suggested that there would an attacking formation with the inclusion of two wingers and two strikers but the plan was to play on the break. When out of possession Erwin was left up front and McDonald dropped into midfield. Our 4-5-1 stood firm.
The only early threat came from Miller with a fair curling effort from 25 yards but over the piece Long had few saves to make. Almost half an hour had passed and we had hardly raised an attack but it all changed when Erwin collected wide on the right. The big striker good footwork set him up for a shot and with the aid of a defection off McGregor the ball ended up in the net.
The effect on the game was dramatic. Suddenly there were signs of confidence appearing from Motherwell and we began to string passes together. Ten minutes passed and Johnson delivered a free kick into the box and McManus got a glancing header to beat Bell for a second goal. The huge home support was stunned and the small band in the corner of the Govan stand celebrated.
The expected charge from the home side did not materialise when the teams changed ends and when Pearson nicked the ball in his own half in minute 46 we made the best of the opportunity. The midfielder charged forward and passed to Erwin. Ainsworth made ground on the right and when the ball was delivered to him at the edge of the box he blasted into the net to make the score 3-0.
Motherwell controlled proceedings and Ainsworth should have scored his second but with the goal at his mercy he shot high into the stand. Rangers made their substitutions and settled for the age old tactic of planting high ball after high ball into our area. McGregor headed home to give us an uncomfortable final ten minutes.
The result has to be tempered with some caution given that another 90 minutes awaits at Fir Park on Saturday but there’s no denying that it was a spectacular outcome made all the better for the rarity of a Motherwell win at Ibrox. It might be premature to drink it but we have reason to put the champagne in the fridge ahead of the second leg.
Rangers 1 Motherwell 3
Attendance 49,200 (950)
Team: Long, Hammell(Straker 69), McManus, Ainsworth, Lasley, Law, Erwin(Moore 86), Johnson, Laing, Pearson(Ramsden 80), McDonald