- Rangers lose 3-2 at home to Motherwell
- A slow start to the encounter left the Gers chasing the game
- Danny Rohl’s team must beat Hearts and Celtic
Rangers’ 16-game unbeaten streak in the SPFL Premiership has come to an end against Motherwell.
As they did against Falkirk, the Gers made it an uphill battle from the start, going 2-0 down before halftime.
The Gers came out with more aggression and intent in the second half, pulling it back to 2-2 thanks to a Youssef Chermiti brace.
However, as Rangers chased to get the winner, committing more men forward, Manny Longelo added his second to win it in the 90th minute.
The Gers now sit behind Celtic and Hearts in the table as they prepare to play them both in the next two away.
Danny Rohl has a lot to ponder following a defeat against a team that hadn’t won in five.
Rangers not at the races
Slow starts are becoming accustomed to this Rangers team, with too many players just jogging and going through the motions.
Tochi Chukwuani couldn’t get a handle on the ball while the two up front failed to work together in sync.
Motherwell stretched Rangers brilliantly, with Elijah Just and Callum Slattery finding plenty of spaces between midfield and defence.
They were rewarded for dynamic passing, scoring two goals on the 16th and 25th minute marks.
Lukas Fadinger scored the first, firing the ball under the grasp of Jack Butland off the left flank.
Longelo got his first halfway through the first 45 minutes, expertly firing the ball into the roof of the net.
Three changes at half-time sprang Rangers into action.
Mikey Moore came on and drove up the pitch with real purpose, creating more chances in the final third.
James Tavernier’s inclusion raised the standards as he demanded the players step up.
Momentum seemed to be on their side when Chermiti nestled the ball in the keeper’s near post in the 51st minute.
He doubled his scoring after Manny Fernandez headed the ball across the box from a corner, and the striker headed home.
I think everyone in Ibrox thought the Gers were going to win, but Motherwell came back.
They caught the Gers on the counterattack, with Longelo cutting inside and firing past Jack Butland.
Read Rangers analysis
I’m not sure what’s up with the Rangers at the beginning of games, but there seems to be no urgency.
Today, it felt like the players had almost forgotten they were playing in a title race, and they were punished.
The game today hasn’t lost them the title, but it’s certainly taken the trophy out of their hands for now.
Danny Rohl needs to sort the sluggishness out ASAP, and a start would be playing James Tavernier from the start.
The captain demands excellence and urgency, something that wasn’t there when he was on the bench in the first half.
Rangers are in a pickle after today’s defeat, but they still have every chance with positive results in the next two.
