This is an excerpt from this week's Claret and Amber Alert, a free Motherwell newsletter written by Graeme McGarry that goes out every Thursday at 6pm. To sign up, click here.

What was sweeter then ‘Well fans? The win – at long, long, last – over Rangers at Ibrox, or the subsequent bleating and moaning about matchwinner Dan Casey and the officials?

Ah yes, it was a glorious weekend for all non-Old Firm fans, as the big boys were given a taste of their own medicine, which clearly was a little bitter for their liking.

Motherwell did their part by pulling off a stunning win over Rangers, and you could only laugh as Casey popped up with the winning goal. With this being Scottish football, we shouldn’t have expected anything less.

When covering the game on Saturday, I thought there was nothing in Casey’s subsequently much-discussed challenge on Ross McCausland in real time, but I was quickly shown a slow-motion replay, and I must admit, I think he might have got away with one.

My worry was that if someone at Clydesdale House was sitting watching the same still images of the contact between the players that I was, even if that didn’t give a true reflection of the challenge in which Casey clearly won the ball before following through, then in the current climate it could be cause for a red card.

READ MORE: Why Motherwell is best place for Lennon Miller...for now, at least

As it was, there wasn’t as much as a foul awarded, despite protests from the home players, and Casey would eventually pop up with Motherwell’s crucial second goal, before delivering the coup de grace with a delicious VAR-themed celebration. Bravo, big man.

While McCausland being on crutches dominated the post-match debrief – thankfully, he survived and was back in full training mere days later, you’ll be relieved to hear I’m sure – what was not lost on many of the media in attendance was just how impressive Motherwell were.

This wasn’t a smash and grab. Sure, Motherwell had to ride their luck at times, but the players were immense, and they absolutely merited at least a draw from the match. They got more, and even the staunchest Rangers fans I know found it hard to begrudge their opponents the three points given what they put into the game.

I was getting a little worried about the radio silence from my Rangers-supporting brother mind you, who normally has plenty to say after meetings between the sides, but he eventually surfaced on Sunday evening once Celtic had been beaten to reluctantly take his medicine.

One of the most pleasing aspects of the day was the way that players who have been much maligned this season, and sometimes deservedly so, stepped up to the plate. The likes of Liam Kelly, Stephen O’Donnell and Bevis Mugabi were outstanding, and there wasn’t a failure in claret and amber.

The defence has been an Achilles heel for Motherwell this season, but those three along with Casey, Paul McGinn and Shane Blaney were terrific.

The blend in midfield at the moment looks to really be working too, with Davor Zdravkovski the insurance policy providing a platform from which Lennon Miller and Blair Spittal can work to influence the game further up the field.

And what a find Jack Vale has been. There was obvious disappointment when Motherwell failed to get Kevin van Veen back to the club in January, particularly when he wound up at Kilmarnock. But in hindsight, it would seem that Motherwell have got the better deal.

Vale has been really impressive since his arrival on loan from Blackburn Rovers, and he was brilliant as he dovetailed with Theo Bair to give the Rangers backline a torrid afternoon at the weekend. And what’s more, he has come in and immediately hit the ground running, while Van Veen is reduced to cameos off the Killie bench as he tries to recapture fitness and form.

And what can you say about The Bair in the Big Blue House? He was magnificent as he threw Connor Goldson around Govan like an empty jacket, taking his goal well too.

Sure, he might well have made the afternoon a little bit more comfortable for nervy ‘Well fans had he shown a little more composure on occasion, but the exciting thing about that is there is clearly still levels of improvement in him, despite the already massive strides he has taken of late.

READ MORE: Rangers 1 Motherwell 2: Gers stumble in title race as they are stunned by Steelmen

So, things in the Motherwell garden are suddenly looking a little rosier, and I would urge any young ‘Well fans to drink this moment in.

The last time that Motherwell won on league duty at Ibrox I was 14, and a cheeseburger thrown from the Rangers end – of all things – got stuck in my hair as I celebrated Owen Coyle’s second goal. The next time I witnessed the Steelmen win there I was 41, in the press box, and had very little hair left to stick a cheeseburger to.

It could be another 27 years before it happens again, so savour it. Congratulations to Stuart Kettlewell and his players, who will now be remembered just as Coyle, Mickey Weir et al are for the part they played in that famous day back in ’97.