Motherwell lost by a single goal to Rangers at Ibrox to take the edge of a good start to the season.
It never looked like an away win was likely as Rangers failed to make the best of the many chances they created. Motherwell will be glad of their upcoming break.
After a good start Motherwell gifted the opposition a goal. Alex Paulsen will be well advised to avoid any replay of his attempt to feint beyond Naderi at the edge of his box. He gave the substitute striker a simple tap-in. Shankland had been replaced after five minutes.
Tawanda Maswanhise came close to an immediate reply but Pandur saved. Paulsen did well to meet Kimsu’s shot and his goal was fortunate on the half hour when the same player shot wide from the penalty spot after a barge by Tom Sparrow on Djeidi Gassama.
Rangers had a few more chances before the break the best in added time but Paulsen did well against Gassama and Lukas Fadinger followed up with a desperate goal line clearance. Alfred Johansson had work to do at the interval.
Jardell Kanga replaced Ibrahim Said as the second period got underway and the Steelmen set about fining an equaliser. They were fortunate to escape when Joe Hodge failed to clear from the area. Both a Paulsen save and a thick post were needed to avoid what looked like a sure goal for the home side.
Motherwell then pushed forward and managed to deliver some crosses but the fans in the away corner saw them lapped up by the central defenders. Rangers continued to look more likely to find the second goal but Kevin Kelsey fluffed his chance.
Eythor Bjorgolfsson joined the game inside the last ten minutes but there was no threat on the home goal. The game petered out to deliver a first loss of the campaign for the visitors.
The ‘Well squad will be glad of ten days without action before Aberdeen visit on Tuesday 15 September. Time for some rest and recuperation.
Rangers 1 Motherwell 0
Attendance: 50,868
Team: Paulsen, Sparrow, Girdwood-Reich, Moorman, Hodge, Longelo (Williams 76), Fadinger, Lowry (Levitt 76), Said (Kanga 46), Charles-Cook (Palmer-Houlden 63), Maswanhise (Bjorgolfsson 83)
Saturday 5 September 2026
