Rangers 3-1 Motherwell: Late goals sink dogged Steelmen at league leaders

Motherwell took a shock early lead through Callum Lang but were pegged back through Rangers goals by Kemar Roofe (2) and Cedric Itten at Ibrox Stadium on Saturday.
Callum Lang shoots Motherwell ahead at Ibrox on SaturdayCallum Lang shoots Motherwell ahead at Ibrox on Saturday
Callum Lang shoots Motherwell ahead at Ibrox on Saturday

The first chance arrived after just two minutes when Jermain Defoe’s shot from the edge of the box was parried by away keeper Jordan Archer and Liam Grimshaw put the rebound out for a corner.

Motherwell took the lead on seven minutes when Gallagher's lay off to Stephen O'Donnell set up the attacking fulback to cross to the back post where Lang shot home emphatically.

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The Steelmen had an anxious moment in the 18th minute when Kent’s fired cross from the right was helped on by Defoe but Archer got down well to turn the ball wide.

Tavernier and Davis then combined to set up Kent who headed a great opportunity off target. Roofe then shot weakly at Archer.

In the final minute of the first half, referee Don Robertson waved away Rangers’ penalty appeals when Roofe went down under Lamie’s challenge.

Half-time substitute Joe Aribo got to the byline and crossed for Roofe, whose 56th minute effort was deflected behind for a corner.

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Rangers had a goal disallowed just after the hour when Kent's effort from the edge of the box deflected through to Davis who netted from an offside position.

The hosts then brought on Hagi for Arfield.

Davis had a deflected long range shot go safely into Archer’s grasp on 71 minutes.

But it was 1-1 on 72 minutes when Tavernier's cross from the back post evaded Mugabi and Kent found Roofe who shot home.

It was 2-1 Rangers on 81 minutes when Tavernier's corner was helped on by Hagi to the back post where Itten headed home.

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Nathan McGinley’s long 88th minute throw in was met by fellow sub Devante Cole who headed straight at Allan McGregor.

Roofe blasted home a third for Gers in injury time after dithering in the Motherwell defence.

The result puts Rangers 16 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, while Motherwell remain on 21 points in fifth place.

Motherwell: Archer, Mugabi, Gallagher, Grimshaw (Polworth 84), O’Donnell, Campbell, Crawford (Cole 84), O’Hara, Watt (McGinley 65), Lang (White 75), Lamie (Seedorf 84).

Referee: Don Robertson