Sound case for Rangers’ defence

AN AFTERNOON which began with Rangers and their manager Ally McCoist under considerable scrutiny ended with them at the top of the Scottish Premier League for the first time this season.

McCoist’s men made light of his ever-diminishing defensive options to record a comprehensive victory over previous table-toppers Motherwell which, coupled with Celtic’s home loss to St Johnstone, saw them nudge to the SPL summit.

Even this early in McCoist’s reign, it had the feel of a crucial win for Rangers and the type of confidence boost he would have craved ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League recovery mission against Maribor at Ibrox.

Regardless of Rangers’ dominant record at Fir Park, where they have not lost since Boxing Day 2002, their supporters would have been pleasantly surprised by the convincing manner in which this success was secured.

Many of them would have anticipated a troublesome afternoon, given the selection problems faced by McCoist, especially in defence. Carlos Bocanegra’s uncompleted visa application saw him join the injured David Weir, Sasa Papac, Steven Whittaker, Kirk Broadfoot, Kyle Bartley and Lee McCulloch on the sidelines. McCoist fielded a makeshift back four in which the inexperienced pair of Jordan McMillan and Ross Perry joined Dorin Goian and Lee Wallace.

But although Motherwell did manage to cause their visitors some discomfort at the back during a lively first half, Rangers remained resolute enough to provide the platform for their midfield and front men to outmanoeuvre Stuart McCall’s side at the other end of the pitch.

The champions always carried the greater threat in that department and should have been in front before the 20th minute opener. Motherwell appeared vulnerable at set pieces, Nikica Jelavic missing headed chances which he guided over from a Steven Davis free-kick and Gregg Wylde corner respectively.

Kyle Lafferty, in the starting line-up after making his return from injury as a substitute in the midweek Europa League defeat in Slovenia, perhaps displayed a lack of sharpness when he failed to convert Rangers’ next opportunity. Receiving a fine pass from Davis, his low shot was too close to Darren Randolph, who made a decent save.

Motherwell’s aerial weakness in dealing with crosses was finally exposed by Rangers with the breakthrough goal. It was claimed by both Jelavic and Steven Naismith, although the latter’s part in it was minimal. Davis delivered a corner from the left which Jelavic met on the edge of the six-yard box. His firm header deflected first off Motherwell’s Michael Higdon, with the ball taking a further touch off the top of Naismith’s head before it hit the net.

McMillan made a well-timed interception to deny Steven Hammell a clear sight of goal as Motherwell looked to respond quickly to the first goal they had conceded on SPL business this season.

Allan McGregor confidently held a stinging shot from Nicky Law as Motherwell enjoyed their best spell of the contest, one which they briefly believed had brought a 37th minute equaliser when Jamie Murphy forced home a shot from close range. Unfortunately for the home side, the ball had struck Murphy’s hand before he brought it under control and the effort was disallowed.

Having failed to make the most of that period when they were on the front foot, Motherwell went 2-0 behind on half-time as Rangers produced a well constructed and finely finished goal.

Davis, the orchestrator of most of the visitors’ best work, began a sweeping move through central midfield with a pass to Juan Manuel Ortiz. The Spaniard kept it flowing with a perfectly timed through ball to Lafferty on the right side of the penalty area and he drove a right foot shot low across Randolph into the corner of the net.

Motherwell strove manfully to try and reclaim a foothold in the match after the restart and enjoyed a decent spell of possession. They lacked the penetration to seriously trouble the Rangers defence. Chris Humphrey came closest to pulling a goal back for McCall’s side, with a dipping cross from the right which deceived McGregor and struck the crossbar, but it was Rangers who retained the greater attacking threat.

Naismith blazed a shot over from close range, before Davis strode forward to strike a tremendous 22-yard effort off the top of Randolph’s crossbar.

Rangers put further daylight between themselves and their hosts with another fine goal five minutes from time.

Wylde raced onto another smart Davis pass and smashed a low shot beyond Randolph from the left side of the penalty area.