Barry Ferguson’s homecoming changed into a Rangers actuality verify as Motherwell battled to a 2-1 Scottish Premiership win over the ragged residence aspect at Ibrox.
The Mild Blues got here from 2-0 all the way down to beat Kilmarnock 4-2 at Rugby Park on Wednesday night time within the former Gers captain’s first recreation in cost as interim boss, and once more they fell two behind after errors led to objectives from Luke Armstrong on 9 minutes and Tom Sparrow on the half-hour mark.
Striker Cyriel Dessers supplied hope within the 54th minute with a scientific end however this time they may not full the comeback towards Michael Wimmer’s well-organised Steelmen, and the now acquainted sound of boos rang around the stadium following a exceptional third successive residence defeat.
Ferguson now has to show his consideration to the primary leg of the Europa League last-16 tie towards Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in Istanbul on Thursday night time and, whereas Rangers have saved most of their finest performances this season for the European stage, an enormous enchancment in current type will likely be required in Turkey.
Again-to-back defeats at Ibrox to Queen’s Park and St Mirren had introduced Philippe Clement’s time as Gers boss to an finish and Ferguson spoke in his programme notes of bringing again ‘the successful mentality’ to the Govan membership.
There was no much less drama towards the Lanarkshire aspect because it quickly turned clear the duty he has on his palms.
The previous Clyde, Kelty Hearts and Alloa boss took a bow earlier than the sport which befell on Armed Forces Day at Ibrox with a consultant of every department of the armed companies main the groups on to the pitch.
Nevertheless, Ferguson was left fuming when the house aspect fell behind after solely 9 minutes.
As Rangers tried to interrupt shortly from a nook, Dessers misplaced possession to Kai Andrews and, when Dan Casey’s tame-looking shot was fumbled by Gers keeper Jack Butland to Luke Armstrong, the Effectively striker slid the ball in and was in a position to rejoice correctly after a prolonged VAR verify confirmed he was not offside.
It was the third recreation in a row that Rangers had conceded the primary aim at residence they usually nearly conceded one other within the twenty third minute however Sparrow hit the side-netting after being performed in by Callum Slattery.
Nevertheless, when the identical two Effectively gamers mixed in the identical state of affairs on the half-hour mark, after skipper James Tavernier – making his five hundredth look for the membership – had initially misplaced possession, Sparrow confidently drilled the ball low previous Butland.
Ibrox was once more surprised however the response was tepid.
Dessers volleyed into the side-netting from a Tavernier cross within the thirty second minute and Effectively keeper Ellery Balcombe tipped a strong drive from Mohamed Diomande over the bar for a nook which got here to nothing.
Ferguson made three modifications for the second half with Leon Balogun, Nedim Bajrami and Tom Lawrence on for Robin Propper, Hamza Igamane and Ianis Hagi.
Rangers acquired again within the recreation when Casey failed to chop out a Ridvan Yilmaz go into the field and the ball fell to Dessers who hammered a first-time shot previous Balcombe.
As Rangers pushed laborious for the equaliser the Fir Park ‘keeper did effectively to push a Bajrami drive previous the submit for a nook which was defended.
Nonetheless, the house aspect saved driving ahead nevertheless it was with work-rate greater than guile.
Wimmer introduced on the contemporary legs of Moses Ebiye, Harry Paton and Davor Zdravkovski they usually helped bolster the guests, whereas Rangers’ Brazilian striker Danilo changed Diomande and he quickly had an opportunity however opted to go to
Dessers and he was crowded out.
Dessers chipped over Balcombe within the 79th minute after a Danilo flick however the offside flag was up, confirmed by a VAR verify.
Within the remaining, determined levels, Danilo had a shot saved by Balcombe at his close to submit and Tavernier volleyed excessive over the bar following a nook however the Steelmen held agency.
