How Rangers have moved to remedy first defeat of the season at St Mirren

Scott Arfield watched the late drama unfold from the sideline at SMISA stadium after being substituted in the second half. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)

The late 3-2 win for the Buddies was Rangers’ first reverse of the season and knocked Steven Gerrard’s side out of the Betfred Cup quarter-final.

Motherwell lie in wait tomorrow on league business and the midfielder pointed to previous disappointing results at Livingston, Hibs and Benfica, and the reaction to them when asked about his side’s potential to re-dress the result on Saturday. Arfield admitted the squad had self-reflected and analysed the match in Paisley before tomorrow’s visit of the Steelmen.

"When it is the first cup that is up for grabs you want to stick your name on it,” he said “but we fell short.”

The 32-year-old explained: “You can cry about it, you can make excuses for it or you can self-reflect, analyse, pick the bones and go again.

“And that is exactly what we have done.

“I know the group of players in here, I know what the manager is all about and the staff are about. I am sure you will see a reaction.”

He added: “I feel, particularly in this season, that we have got a better mentality within this squad so I have got no question that we will show the right reaction against Motherwell. We'll go after them, make it a difficult game for them and get the result that everyone wants again.”

Rangers defeated Motherwell 5-1 in their previous meeting this season – but will be without Leon Balogun after his head knock late in the game against St Mirren.

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