Rm Match Report

[Bazza 21]

Rangers 3 vs. 3 Motherwell

The Champions Title Party was a sell out and the expectant crowd were up for a good celebration all that was needed was a game of football to keep them in the mood.

Rangers duly delivered in the first half as they went on the instant offensive. Davis was the midfield orchestrator in his more favoured central role as he probed constantly at the Motherwell back line but it was another change to the side that saw the first goal. Naismith had been selected on the right side of the midfield and he was instrumental in both goals as he first sent through a telling pass to Boyd who held the ball, turned and fired into the bottom corner and then crossed from deep for Lafferty who stabbed the ball into the net.

At two nil the celebrations could get moving in earnest and made half time a lot more pleasant experience.

Motherwell weren’t just here to make up the numbers though and came out all guns blazing in the second half. After making a huge come back in midweek, a two goal deficit mustn’t have seemed too big a mountain to climb and within the first few minutes of the half Rangers were pinned back to two one.

Novo had other plans in mind though as he came on for Miller. His tremendous run down the right, drive into the box and final cross finished in the simplest of tap ins for Lafferty’s second. At 3-1 Rangers were cruising and the game was over. Or so we thought.

Motherwell are proving very resilient and pulled another goal back when Weir managed to slice the ball into straight to the opposition who had an empty target to aim at. 3-2. An acceptable outcome to Rangers and their fans but there was to be another twist in the tail ads Motherwell went clean through on goal, Alexander came out but realised he wasn’t getting the ball. He duly pulled back only to see the cheat of a forward swan dive through mid-air and turned to see the Ref point to the spot.

The fans came to see the Champions claim the title with the football only being a secondary thought but to see six goals in the pre trophy attraction was just an added bonus.

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RM’s verdict:

Alexander: - 8 Made three terrific saves in the second half and were extremely unfortunate to concede the same number. Was livid with the penalty decision, which in truth meant little but to winners mean everything.

Whittaker: - 7 Drove at the Motherwell back line all day and tried hard to get his trademark screamer. Never quite came off for him.

Broadfoot: - 5 Has to be lacking a huge amount of match practise but still stepped up to help Rangers over the line.

Weir: - 6 Will be fairly devastated that his back line squandered three goals, one that he laid on a plate. Still a miraculous achievement to have played every minute of every SPL goal this season.

Papac: - 6 Good to see him back in the team to celebrate the title win after being a stalwart of the campaign. Not his best game ever but played ok.

Naismith: - 7 A really good game by Naismith today with two good assists and a couple of rasping shots. Could be a big player for us next season.

Davis: - 7 Had a good game in his more central role and made some good drives forward. Works his socks off too which never really gets seen.

Edu: - 6 Played well in the first half but started to get overrun by the game in the second. Another player that will be a big bonus with a full pre-season and run in the team.

Lafferty: - 8 Had a terrific game with two goals and ran the Motherwell back line ragged in the first half.

Boyd: - 6 Scored a typical Boyd goal in the first half which only highlighted the dominance at the time. Linked well with Miller most of the game and could have sealed it right at the death.

Miller: - 6 Another good shift from Miller today and was unlucky not to score. Had to go off in the second half with a slight injury.

Subs:-

Novo: - 5 great play by the wee man to set up number three.

Thomson: - 3 Brought on for the atmosphere more than anything else.

Smith: - 3 Couldn’t make a mark on his last day for the club.

Rangers: - Alexander, Whittaker, Broadfoot, Weir, Papac, Naismith, Davis, Edu (Thomson 72), Lafferty (Smith 78), Boyd, Miller (Novo 58).

• Substitutes: - Gallacher, Thomson, Novo, Smith, Fleck, Little, Stirling.

Goals: - Boyd 17, Lafferty 40, 70.

• Motherwell: - Ruddy, Jennings, Craigan, Saunders, Hammell, McGlinchey (Murphy 46), Hateley, Coke, O'Brien (Humphrey 74), Sutton (Forbes 81), Jutkiewicz.

• Substitutes: - Fraser, Humphrey, Murphy, Fitzpatrick, Forbes, Hutchinson, McHugh.

Booked:- Craigan

Goals: - Murphy 51, Jennings 90, Jutkiewicz 93.

Att:- 50,321

Ref:- B Winter