Rangers 2-2 Motherwell: Steelmen stage superb second half comeback to leave Gers frustrated

After the high of defeating Borussia Dortmund was followed by Celtic’s first dropped points of 2022, it felt as though the stars were aligning for Rangers.

This was an opportunity to move onto the shoulder of their title rivals. And to regain domestic momentum. It was one they surely couldn’t pass up.

Two goals ahead after 24 minutes of dominance, the prospect of another Premiership slip appeared all the more unthinkable. But then Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side are nothing if not unpredictable.

Their standards dropped from a position of absolute control. Revitalised by a half-time triple change, Motherwell clawed one back through substitute Jordan Roberts before Kaiyne Woolery struck to complete a comeback that had seemed all but impossible an hour earlier.

Alfredo Morelos twice had efforts ruled out for offside in between the visitors’ goals, but there would be no late salvation for Rangers. A burst of booing at the final whistle spoke of the immense frustration felt inside Ibrox.

Eleven points have now been dropped since the winter break. Van Bronckhorst’s men remain three behind Celtic at the Premiership summit. Plainly, they cannot afford to keep letting these chances slip away if they are to retain their title.

Motherwell remain without a league win in 2022 but this would have felt like a triumph for Graham Alexander and his players.

The emotions in the Rangers dressing room were very different. Van Bronckhorst had emphasised the importance of taking the performance level from that epic success over Dortmund into their domestic business. News of Celtic drawing at Easter Road offered more enticement. But they contrived to throw away a winning position.

Buoyed by overcoming a major European power on Thursday night, Rangers had started in predictably ebullient mood and were almost in front inside 90 seconds.

Alfredo Morelos was sharp to get to a shot off inside the area. His lifted effort clipped the frame of the goal but notice had been served.

James Tavernier sought to curl one beyond Liam Kelly from an angle outside the area, only for the goalkeeper to tip it away from the top corner. John Lundstram, again operating in central defence, then glanced a header wide from a Tavernier delivery before coming close to a brilliant opener.

Sakala’s goal put Rangers in control, but they let their lead slip in the second half at Ibrox

Set up by Glen Kamara at the edge of the area, he wrapped his left foot around a powerful effort that was expertly clawed out by Kelly. Motherwell’s no.1 was earning his money. Yet even he couldn’t prevent a deficit in the 22nd minute.

Rangers had been racked up the corners. When their sixth of the day was cleared, they kept the pressure on.

Ryan Kent gathered on the right and fizzed in a cross that Morelos and Bevis Mugabi both attacked. The ball flew inside Kelly’s right -hand post to give Rangers the lead. Less clear was who’d had the final touch.

A somewhat restrained celebration from Morelos suggested it might have been the shoulder of Mugabi. A jubilant Ibrox crowd didn’t much care. And it became all the more academic when the home side doubled their advantage two minutes later.

Jordan Roberts halved the deficit with a close range finish seven minutes after half-time

Again, Kent was involved. Driving down the left, he dinked in a cross that was helped on by Morelos. Lively throughout, Sakala arrived at the far post and smashed into the net before taking off in celebration.

How the Zambian loves playing Motherwell. Five of his nine Rangers goals have come against them.

Motherwell boss Alexander was still serving a touchline handed down for a red card against Hibernian earlier this year. His different vantage point wouldn’t have made the viewing any more positive.

The Fir Park manager had opted for five changes to the side which drew 1-1 against Aberdeen eight days previously. 

Kevin van Veen played on through the majority of that match with a shoulder injury and was the only enforced absence among those dropping out. Clearly, a different approach was being sought. But it wasn’t working out.

Kaiyne Woolery was the hero for Motherwell as he poked home to equalise in the 77th minute

Alexander’s answer was a triple half-time substitution. Off went Mark O’Hara, Ross Tierney and Joe Efford. On came Roberts, Liam Shaw and Justin Amaluzor. Within seven minutes of the restart, they had one back.

Woolery produced a terrific burst of pace to surge away from Lundstram on the right side of the area before delivering the perfect low ball for Roberts. His fellow winger was left with a tap-in.

Now it was game on. Morelos thought he’d rapidly restored Rangers’ two-goal lead when heading a Kent cross, but was flagged offside. A show of dissent towards assistant referee Frank Connor earned the striker a booking.

Morelos was more restrained when Connor’s flag denied him a second time on 67 minutes, on this occasion after a crisp finish. It looked a tighter call.

Rangers continued to push forward but there was more raggedness about their play as the tension inside Ibrox rose. It was cranked up to a whole new level when Motherwell levelled in the 77th minute.

Motherwell remain without a league win in 2022 but this will have felt like a triumph at Ibrox

Woolery did well to get onto a bouncing ball but the defending was poor. The winger twisted through ineffective challenges from Goldson and Tavernier before poking a left-foot shot beyond McGregor.

Substitute Kemar Roofe shot straight at Kelly, with appeals for a penalty following before Goldson poked an effort into the goalkeeper’s hands.

Van Bronckhorst looked aghast at only three minutes being added. Motherwell saw them out. And Rangers were left utterly deflated.