Early objectives from Todd Cantwell and Kieran Dowell noticed Rangers to a 2-0 win at Motherwell, extending the Gers’ unbeaten run underneath Philippe Clement to 16 video games.
“They’re not hanging around here,” was the exclamation from Ian Crocker on Sky Sports activities commentary as Rangers raced into their match-winning lead inside 16 minutes.
Dowell set the guests of their approach within the fourth minute, firing house an exquisite effort. A neat link-up between Brighton loanee Abdallah Sima and Cantwell noticed the latter double Rangers’ lead 12 minutes later.
Liam Kelly made certain the first-half lead was not prolonged and Motherwell did enhance after the break, however didn’t register a shot heading in the right direction. They prolong their very own winless run to fifteen video games.
The efficiency pissed off Motherwell supervisor Stuart Kettlewell, who advised Sky Sports activities: “We’re much better within the second half and we’ve got significantly better moments however once more I am a damaged report: there’s all the time a response from us however while you’ve obtained a smooth underbelly you are going to end up in a troublesome place.
“People have to put their hands up – as always those individuals have done that but that’s no consolation for anyone who has come here on Christmas Eve and found us with a mountain to climb after 17 minutes.”
Rangers as soon as once more go two factors behind Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic – the 2 meet within the Previous Agency on December 30, reside on Sky Sports activities – and are actually 57 league matches unbeaten in opposition to Motherwell.
How Rangers noticed off Motherwell
With barely 1 / 4 of an hour on the clock, Rangers had stormed right into a 2-0 lead at Fir Park. It was a high quality end from Dowell for the primary, slamming house into the roof of the web by way of his team-mate Cyriel Dessers with lower than 4 minutes on the clock.
It was then a terrific connection between Sima and Cantwell for the second. The previous cushioned the ball into the midfielder’s path, as Cantwell swept house into the underside nook.
Though holding a commanding lead, Motherwell had Kelly to thank for less than being 2-0 down at half-time. The goalkeeper made a string of sensational saves to maintain out Dessers, Ross McCausland and Cantwell with high quality strikes from all three.
On the different finish, Motherwell solely had half probabilities within the first half, however started nicely after the break. Arsenal loanee Mika Biereth despatched a high quality cross in direction of the again publish, the place Brodie Spencer was ready. Nonetheless, his downward header might solely be despatched broad.
Rangers quickly regained management of the possession, however did little or no by way of probability, with Kelly hardly labored within the second half.
Motherwell had a penalty attraction within the 73rd minute as Spencer went sprawling within the space with Ridvan Yilmaz for firm, however the referee and VAR denied the claims. There was a scramble within the field quickly after too, however Rangers managed to hack the ball away.
Nonetheless, Dessers did have two late objectives dominated out for offside. The primary – coming after a stunning via ball from Yilmaz – noticed him transfer only a beat too early. The second was a tougher name as Dessers rounded Kelly to fit house, however VAR finally denied him once more.
Participant of the Match: Todd Cantwell
Fifty touches. 5 of these contained in the opposition field. He created an additional three Rangers probabilities in addition to scoring the second purpose. This was classic Todd Cantwell.
Typically the 25-year-old is responsible of enjoying on the periphery, however not on Christmas Eve. Cantwell’s sweeping strike reveals you what he can do when he is afforded a bit extra licence to roam and freedom to be progressive in possession.
He is had just a few ‘practically moments’ throughout his quick Gers profession, however appears to be clicking into larger gear now. Objectives from midfield are treasured for any aspect – if Cantwell can add that to his recreation on a constant foundation he actually will begin to be considered as the whole midfield bundle.
Cantwell advised Sky Sports activities after the sport: “It’s not about numbers for me, it’s about the team. It’s about coming here in tough conditions and getting three points.
“The wind was terrible however we performed the sport and managed to get the win. It was loopy circumstances, I do not suppose I’ve performed in something fairly prefer it since faculty.
“We’re not moaning. We’ve got the win and three points. We were looking for a quick start and we got that. We’ve had a lot of games close together so it’s a case of ticking this one off and looking forward to the next one.”
Clement proud of ‘mature’ efficiency
Rangers supervisor Philippe Clement to Sky Sports activities:
“It’s well-deserved points and difficult in these conditions to play our normal football. We played a really good first half, created good chances, two good goals. There were good saves rom the goalkeeper. Second half was more difficult because of the wind. The circumstances became more difficult to play.
“Regardless of that, we nonetheless scored two objectives and two objectives dominated out for offside – however solely simply. It might have been completely different as a result of if you happen to rating the third purpose, you kill the assumption.
“Motherwell kept believing so we had to fight and they did it. They stuck together and I don’t think there was one shot [conceded] today. So very mature again and I’m happy about that. Also keeping clean sheets… those are really crucial things in our football.
“We’ve got 9 injured gamers in the meanwhile… there’s a number of issues to enhance with the squad however they know, they really feel they usually’re all bold and that is why they’re performing nicely.
“It’s also clear for everybody for what to do in every role on the pitch so our structure stays despite changes. That’s a really crucial thing. In the difficult moments, you can lean onto that and we can use out football capacities in a good way.
“The damaging factor now could be everyone across the gamers are on vacation. They’ve good occasions, drinks, meals, late nights, however we do not have time for that with the gamers. They have to be targeted, concentrated and take their relaxation hours in between video games as a result of we’re the one crew on this interval who play each three days so we have to be high in each particulars.
“They are in tomorrow, of course.”
Kettlewell: We shot ourselves within the foot
Motherwell supervisor Stuart Kettlewell to Sky Sports activities:
“It’s simple, you can’t start games like that. Looking at the first goal, we’re in possession of the ball then we play our way into trouble. We touched on it before the game, they’re going to punish you.
“We shot ourselves within the foot. Then for the second, you may see that fragility there. You possibly can see there’s some anxiousness. One or two are scrambling and never performing to the extent they need to do.
“We’ve got to be braver and match them. It’s simple principles… “I believe the circumstances performed an enormous half. It is extremely irritating, we won’t present alternatives that finally finish in objectives and end in us shedding soccer matches.”
What’s subsequent?
Motherwell’s subsequent Scottish Premiership recreation is away to Aberdeen on December 27, whereas Rangers host Ross County.
Each matches kick off at 7.45pm.