SPL: Rangers 2-1 Motherwell 21/09/08

[DavidMc]

Rangers v Motherwell
Scottish Premier League
Sunday 21st September 08
Ibrox Stadium

Rangers' Kevin Thomson and Kyle Lafferty return from injury ahead of Sunday's Scottish Premier League visit by Motherwell.

But Sasa Papac is suspended, Steven Whittaker misses out through injury and Chris Burke is not yet match fit.

Motherwell so far report no injuries following Thursday's Uefa Cup defeat by Nancy in France.

Defender Brian McLean remains a long-term absentee, while recent signing Maros Klimpl is short of fitness.



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Rangers: (from) McGregor, Broadfoot, Bougherra, Weir, Dailly, Davis, Edu, Adam, Mendes, Beasley, Novo, Miller, Boyd, Darcheville, Alexander, Aaron, McMillan, Fleck, Lafferty, Thomson.

Motherwell: (from) G Smith, Quinn, Hammell, Craigan, Reynolds, Malcolm, Fitzpatrick, Hughes, Lasley, McGarry, Porter, Sutton, Clarkson, D Smith, O'Brien, Connolly, Murphy, Nielsen.

[DavidMc]

Difficult game today, although I think we will score a few (maybe 3-0) today because I think Motherwell will feel the effects of thier midweek UEFA Cup game against Nancy in France.

Smith will probably begin with a forward pairing of Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd. Kevin Thomson will hopefully return from injury although the midfield is strong enough now should he need some more time to recover.

[DavidMc]

Rangers 2-1 Motherwell

Second-half goals by Steve Davis and Nacho Novo extended Rangers' home record to 21 matches undefeated.

Motherwell started with three strikers but generally failed to create enough chances from which they could profit.

In 57 minutes Kris Boyd rose to flick on a long ball into the path of Kenny Miller, who passed to the advancing Davis to shoot past Graeme Smith.

Substitute Novo bundled the ball over with 15 minutes to go and Well's David Clarkson grabbed a late consolation.

Motherwell made the short trip from Lanarkshire having lost narrowly away to Nancy in the Uefa Cup on Thursday.

The hero for the Claret and Amber then was keeper Smith and the highlight of the first half was his save from Miller on 32 minutes.

Kirk Broadfoot, operating at left-back with Sasa Papac suspended, was in an advanced position when he cut inside to play a low ball into the Scotland striker on the edge of the box.

Miller spun his marker and hammered a low right-foot shot at goal which Smith brilliantly parried round his left-hand post.

Though frustrated on that occasion, Miller was the most impressive player in the opening exchanges, with the fine playing surface and pleasant weather creating the perfect conditions to test the Steelmen for fatigue.

Having done well to control a clipped pass from Steve Davis, Miller blasted over the bar in three minutes when DaMarcus Beasley was in a more advantageous position.

Motherwell captain Stephen Craigan was booked for a brutal challenge on Miller as the striker skinned him on his way into the box.

Davis' resultant free-kick was a waste as Smith gathered his flighted ball with ease.

The only other attacking incident of note came when Boyd played an intelligent ball into the box which wrong-footed Mark Reynolds.

Miller latched on to it but Smith had advanced from his goals at pace to narrow the angle and Miller clipped it wide.

Mark McGhee opted for an ambitious team selection, with John Sutton, Chris Porter and David Clarkson carrying the potential for goals.

However, the home keeper Neil Alexander, a surprise inclusion for the dropped Allan McGregor, didn't have a save to make until the start of the second half when he rushed to gather at the feet of Clarkson.

Motherwell put more pressure on the home side in the second half. Jamie Murphy came on for John Sutton in 57 minutes and made an immediate impact with his forceful, positive play.

The visitors' best chance was created in 69 minutes by David Clarkson who cracked a right-foot shot which Neil Alexander palmed round the post.

Novo scored Rangers' second from close range after a good move created by Davis on the right and Miller, whose ball across the face of goal eluded the despairing Smith but not the eager Spaniard.

The home fans at that point thought the points were safe, but they were left biting their nails at the end of the match.

Porter crossed from the right into the box with just three minutes to go and Clarkson was sharp enough to nip ahead of the home defence to shoot beyond Alexander.

Rangers, though, hung on to take the three points and maintain their impressive home record.

The last time Walter Smith's side lost in domestic competition at Ibrox was when David Murphy scored for Hibs in the Easter Road side's 1-0 win in October last year.



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Rangers: Alexander, Broadfoot, Bougherra, Weir, Dailly, Davis, Pedro Mendes, Thomson, Beasley (Novo 72), Boyd, Miller. Subs Not Used: McGregor, Edu, Darcheville, Niguez, McMillan, Fleck.

Booked: Weir, Boyd.

Goals: Davis 57, Novo 76.

Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, Hughes (Darren Smith 67), Malcolm, Lasley, Clarkson, Porter, Sutton (Murphy 54). Subs Not Used: Nielsen, Fitzpatrick, O'Brien, McGarry, Connolly.

Booked: Quinn, Craigan.

Goal: Clarkson 87.

Att: 49,448