Rangers produced a laboured performance to secure their third victory on the bounce with a slender 1-0 win over Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.
Michael Beale’s side, who beat St Johnstone last weekend before opening their Europa League group stage account with a narrow win over Real Betis on Thursday, soaked up a period of late pressure form the visitors to cling on for maximum points.
The only goal of the match came arrived after 24 minutes when Rabbi Matondo’s effort took a wicked deflection off striker Cyriel Dessers to wrong-foot the keeper and settle a nervy Ibrox crowd.
Sam Lammers had a volley fly inches wide of the target before Liam Kelly denied Dessers and Lammers in quick succession in the second half.
The Steelmen almost earned a share of the spoils when Blair Spittal’s goal-bound shot was cleared off the line by Gers skipper James Tavernier inside the final five minutes, shortly after Jack Butland made a terrific double save to thwart Oli Shaw.
The result lifts Rangers above their opponents into third place in the league table but their performance levels will need to improve drastically if they are to avoid dropping further points.
Here’s our post-match Rangers player ratings from Ibrox:
Unused subs: Robby McCrorie (GK), Ridvan Yilmaz, Dujon Sterling, Zak Lovelace.
9. Rabbi Matondo - 5/10
It was his deflected strike that seemed destined to find the net had it not deflected off Dessers. Afternoon was cut short after 38 mins, forced off with a knee injury after attempting to play on. Photo: Mark Scates - SNS Group
10. Sam Lammers - 7/10
Always looked to make something happen in the final third. Lacked some composure in front of goal but this was more like it from the Dutchman. Subbed. | Getty Images
11. Scott Wright - 7/10
Handed a rare chance to impress from the outset for the first time since November last year, the former Aberdeen winger was heavily involved before being subbed. | AFP via Getty Images
12. Cyriel Dessers - 6/10
Found himself in the right place to score the winning goal, but still hasn’t won over the Gers support. A workmanlike shift but more needed from the Nigerian. Subbed. Photo: Rob Casey - SNS Group