Barry Ferguson’s homecoming become a Rangers actuality verify as Motherwell battled to a 2-1 Scottish Premiership win over the ragged house facet at Ibrox.
The Mild Blues got here from 2-0 right down to beat Kilmarnock 4-2 at Rugby Park on Wednesday evening within the former Gers captain’s first sport in cost as interim boss, and once more they fell two behind after errors led to targets from Luke Armstrong on 9 minutes and Tom Sparrow on the half-hour mark.
Striker Cyriel Dessers supplied hope within the 54th minute with a medical end however this time they may not full the comeback in opposition to Michael Wimmer’s well-organised Steelmen, and the now acquainted sound of boos rang around the stadium following a outstanding third successive house defeat.
Ferguson now has to show his consideration to the primary leg of the Europa League last-16 tie in opposition to Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in Istanbul on Thursday evening and, whereas Rangers have saved most of their greatest performances this season for the European stage, an enormous enchancment in current kind will probably be required in Turkey.
Again-to-back defeats at Ibrox to Queen’s Park and St Mirren had introduced Philippe Clement’s time as Gers boss to an finish and Ferguson spoke in his programme notes of bringing again ‘the profitable mentality’ to the Govan membership.
There was no much less drama in opposition to the Lanarkshire facet because it quickly turned clear the duty he has on his palms.
The previous Clyde, Kelty Hearts and Alloa boss took a bow earlier than the sport which passed off on Armed Forces Day at Ibrox with a consultant of every department of the armed companies main the groups on to the pitch.
Nevertheless, Ferguson was left fuming when the house facet fell behind after solely 9 minutes.
As Rangers tried to interrupt rapidly from a nook, Dessers misplaced possession to Kai Andrews and, when Dan Casey’s tame-looking shot was fumbled by Gers keeper Jack Butland to Luke Armstrong, the Properly striker slid the ball in and was capable of have a good time correctly after a prolonged VAR verify confirmed he was not offside.
It was the third sport in a row that Rangers had conceded the primary aim at house they usually nearly conceded one other within the twenty third minute however Sparrow hit the side-netting after being performed in by Callum Slattery.
Nevertheless, when the identical two Properly gamers mixed in the identical scenario on the half-hour mark, after skipper James Tavernier – making his five hundredth look for the membership – had initially misplaced possession, Sparrow confidently drilled the ball low previous Butland.
Ibrox was once more surprised however the response was tepid.
Dessers volleyed into the side-netting from a Tavernier cross within the thirty second minute and Properly keeper Ellery Balcombe tipped a robust drive from Mohamed Diomande over the bar for a nook which got here to nothing.
Ferguson made three adjustments for the second half with Leon Balogun, Nedim Bajrami and Tom Lawrence on for Robin Propper, Hamza Igamane and Ianis Hagi.
Rangers bought again within the sport when Casey failed to chop out a Ridvan Yilmaz go into the field and the ball fell to Dessers who hammered a first-time shot previous Balcombe.
As Rangers pushed arduous for the equaliser the Fir Park ‘keeper did nicely to push a Bajrami drive previous the publish for a nook which was defended.
Nonetheless, the house facet saved driving ahead nevertheless it was with work-rate greater than guile.
Wimmer introduced on the recent legs of Moses Ebiye, Harry Paton and Davor Zdravkovski they usually helped bolster the guests, whereas Rangers’ Brazilian striker Danilo changed Diomande and he quickly had an opportunity however opted to go to
Dessers and he was crowded out.
Dessers chipped over Balcombe within the 79th minute after a Danilo flick however the offside flag was up, confirmed by a VAR verify.
Within the last, determined phases, Danilo had a shot saved by Balcombe at his close to publish and Tavernier volleyed excessive over the bar following a nook however the Steelmen held agency.
