Rangers Preview

Having lost our last two league games to Hearts and Aberdeen, not many people will fancy our chances against Rangers. Rangers have a 100% home record in the league this season and confidence will be sky high after winning the CIS Cup at the weekend. Conversely, Motherwell at home is not quite as appealing a prospect as Celtic at Parkhead and Hampden and McLeish will need to motivate his players.

A big job against Lovenkrands?

They have a full squad to choose from including Ronald de Boer who returned at the weekend. We are missing Stephen Pearson who starts a four game ban and the game comes just too soon for Scott Leitch. Derek Adams does return from suspension though and he will be welcomed back to the side. His work rate will prove crucial in shutting down the Rangers midfield and he will also support the front two.

An interesting decision for Butcher will be who gets the right back slot. Peter Lovenkrands will prove a handful for anyone and Corrigan will probably get the job of containing him. McFadden will start up front and Clarkson has earned a rest. Dirk Lehmann has been returning to fitness and it is likely he will partner Faddy.

This game is obviously important to us but there is no pressure to win. On the other hand, Rangers will need to be fully focused. They strolled to a 3-0 win against us at Ibrox earlier in the season but we showed them they can’t treat us lightly with a 1-0 success at Fir Park. We’ll fight hard, Rangers will huff and puff but they’ll be too strong at home and will emerge 2-0 winners.