Rangers have swerved a potential nightmare before Christmas as they breezed past Motherwell 2-0 at a wind-whipped Fir Park.
It extends the Steelmen’s winless run to 15 games and cuts the gap to Celtic back to two points at the Scottish Premiership summit with a game in hand ahead of next Saturday’s blockbuster meeting between the two sides.
It was a fast start from Philippe Clement’s men as Kieran Dowell robbed Motherwell midfielder Harry Paton in the middle of the park and, after a neat one-two with Cyriel Dessers, finished high into the roof of the net.
His former Norwich team-mate Todd Cantwell was influential throughout and he was the man to double Rangers’ lead in the 16th minute. Ridvan’s cross fell for Abdallah Sima, who controlled with his chest into the path of the on-rushing playmaker to finish low and hard into the bottom corner.
Stuart Kettlewell’s men were unable to cope with the Rangers press in the first half and on-loan Arsenal attacker Mika Biereth cut an isolated figure up top for the home side.
It was far better in the second half from the hosts as they created a couple of good openings in the early stages, with Balogun cutting out a low cross from Georgie Gent and Brodie Spencer heading wide.
Rangers then re-established their firm grip on proceedings and were denied a third on two occasions late on by VAR checks as Dessers neatly finished off both moves before the offside flag was raised to deny the Nigerian international.
There was even time for the wind to keep a wayward Dessers shot on the pitch at the touchline before an over-enthusiastic ballboy flicked the ball out of play forcing the ref to award a drop-ball in a Christmas comedy moment.
It's job done for Rangers on Christmas Eve ahead of a massive week for the Ibrox club and you can follow all the reaction right here.
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