Early goals from Todd Cantwell and Kieran Dowell saw Rangers to a 2-0 win at Motherwell, extending the Gers’ unbeaten run under Philippe Clement to 16 games.
“They’re not hanging around here,” was the exclamation from Ian Crocker on Sky Sports commentary as Rangers raced into their match-winning lead inside 16 minutes.
Dowell set the visitors in their way in the fourth minute, firing home a wonderful effort. A neat link-up between Brighton loanee Abdallah Sima and Cantwell saw the latter double Rangers’ lead 12 minutes later.
Liam Kelly made sure the first-half lead was not extended and Motherwell did improve after the break, but did not register a shot on target. They extend their own winless run to 15 games.
Rangers once again go two points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic – the two meet in the Old Firm on December 30, live on Sky Sports – and are now 57 league matches unbeaten against Motherwell.
How Rangers saw off Motherwell
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Kieran Dowell slams his effort into the roof of the net after bouncing the ball off Cyriel Dessers
With barely a quarter of an hour on the clock, Rangers had stormed into a 2-0 lead at Fir Park. It was a fine finish from Dowell for the first, slamming home into the roof of the net via his team-mate Cyriel Dessers with less than four minutes on the clock.
It was then a great connection between Sima and Cantwell for the second. The former cushioned the ball into the midfielder’s path, as Cantwell swept home into the bottom corner.
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Todd Cantwell adds a second for Rangers as he sweeps the ball into the bottom corner from 18 yards
Although holding a commanding lead, Motherwell had Kelly to thank for only being 2-0 down at half-time. The goalkeeper made a string of sensational saves to keep out Dessers, Ross McCausland and Cantwell with fine strikes from all three.
At the other end, Motherwell only had half chances in the first half, but began well after the break. Arsenal loanee Mika Biereth sent a fine cross towards the back post, where Brodie Spencer was waiting. However, his downward header could only be sent wide.
Kieran Dowell celebrates with Abdallah Sima after scoring Rangers’ opening goal at Motherwell
Rangers soon regained control of the possession, but did very little in terms of chance, with Kelly hardly worked in the second half.
Motherwell had a penalty appeal in the 73rd minute as Spencer went sprawling in the area with Ridvan Yilmaz for company, but the referee and VAR denied the claims. There was a scramble in the box soon after too, but Rangers managed to hack the ball away.
Todd Cantwell scored Rangers’ second goal against Motherwell
However, Dessers did have two late goals ruled out for offside. The first – coming after a lovely through ball from Yilmaz – saw him move just a beat too early. The second was a harder call as Dessers rounded Kelly to slot home, but VAR ultimately denied him again.
What’s next?
Motherwell’s next Scottish Premiership game is away to Aberdeen on December 27, while Rangers host Ross County.
Both matches kick off at 7.45pm.
