RANGERS HAD TO GRIND IT OUT
Steven Gerrard’s side haven’t got what they have deserved in terms of wins over the last few days but this was a pleasing victory as their efforts were rewarded.
The collapse at Aberdeen, heartache at Hampden and late leveller for Young Boys were hard to take but the Gers showed admirable spirit to grind this one out against an in-form opponent.
The trip to Fir Park was always going to be a battle and Gerrard’s side, albeit far from their fluent best, stuck to the task as goals from Nikola Katic and Alfredo Morelos earned them a vital three points in the title race.
In that regard, it was job done. There are areas that can be improved on, but the outcome was all that really mattered and that will be the case next time out as Rangers head to Easter Road on Friday.
GERRARD KEEPS FAITH WITH TRIED AND TRUSTED
He may have two players for each position, but it is difficult for those on the outside of the squad to break into the core that Gerrard relies on.
The fear for supporters is that calling on the same players time after time will lead to a drop in levels and it is a big ask for the side to hit the heights when the games come as quickly and are as important.
Gerrard resisted the temptation to bring in the likes of Greg Stewart or Jermain Defoe as he stuck with the same line-up from the draw with Young Boys and with Hibernian, Kilmarnock and Celtic to come there will be no respite for the majority of the side.
It will take a huge effort to get through that run but Gerrard clearly has trust in his players to keep delivering for him. That backing was rewarded with a crucial win here.
MORE SHOULD BE EXPECTED FROM KENT
The performances against Aberdeen, Celtic and Young Boys were not especially poor, but Kent didn’t contribute in the manner he is capable of overall and assistant Gary McAllister urged him to relax in order to bring the best out of himself once again.
This was another frustrating afternoon for Kent as slack touches and poor decision making ensured he couldn’t really get into his stride and hurt Motherwell.
There is obviously extra onus on him given the £7million fee that was paid for him this summer but Kent isn’t a one-man show and he doesn’t have to be in this side. He is capable of better than he has shown recently and those levels should be hit sooner rather than later.
REFEREE ROBERTSON HAD PLENTY TO DEAL WITH
The first real decision Don Robertson had to make could easily have seen Jermaine Hylton sent off as he caught Glen Kamara with a late challenge. The one from Liam Donnelly on Morelos, only worthy of a booking according to the whistler, was just as bad as Motherwell once again put themselves about.
There were handbags as the players made their way up the tunnel at the break as it threatened to boil over. Add in a solid penalty claim when Bevis Mugabe barged through Morelos and wiped out the Colombian and it was an eventful first 45 minutes.
The biggest decision came after the break, though, as Morelos was sent off. A gesture to the Motherwell fans after he scored resulted in a second yellow and the Rangers fans weren’t slow in venting their fury at what they perceived as an injustice.
MOTHERWELL NOT AT THEIR BEST
The Steelmen were rightly praised by Gerrard following the match between these two at Ibrox earlier in the campaign but Stephen Robinson’s side couldn’t hit those heights here.
Motherwell were combative and competitive but didn’t create enough chances. A terrific save from Allan McGregor denied Chris Long at 1-0 and the hosts became increasingly desperate as the clock ticked on against ten men.
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