Football Apr 29, 2026

Rangers 2-3 Motherwell: Gers Scottish Premiership title hopes dealt a blow as defeat drops them to third

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Rangers 2-3 Motherwell: Gers Scottish Premiership title hopes dealt a blow as defeat drops them to third

Rangers' Scottish Premiership title hopes were dealt a huge blow as they dropped to third with a defeat to Motherwell at Ibrox.

Danny Röhl's side needed a win in their first post-split game to remain above Celtic at least, but made a dismal start as Lukas Fadinger stunned the Ibrox crowd with an early opener.

They were then trailing 2-0 before the half hour after Emmanuel Longelo knocked the ball in at the back post.

Rangers changed formation at the break and it looked to have paid off when Youssef Chermiti and Nicolas Raskin pulled them back level as Ibrox burst into life.

But Motherwell, who had drawn with the Gers twice at Fir Park this season, had the last say when Longelo's shot was deflected into the net late on.

It leaves Rangers on 69 points - and four points behind leaders Hearts with four games remaining. Motherwell are fourth as they chase European football next season.

Rangers had fought back from two down in their previous game against Falkirk to win 6-3 but they could not repeat the feat against the determined Steelmen.

The visitors cut them open at ease with Fadinger and Longelo taking advantage early to the fury of the home support.

Röhl changed personnel and tactics at the interval, moving from a 4-2-2-2 to his preferred 4-3-3 and the impact was almost instant.

Chermiti reduced the deficit in the 51st minute before the striker and Raskin were involved in drawing the Light Blues level in the 70th minute, with the Belgian midfielder getting the final touch.

However, in the final minute of normal time, Longelo's drive came off the head of Ibrox defender Emmanuel Fernandez and ended up in the back of the net to give Motherwell their first league win in six.

For a team in a title race, Rangers offered little in front of their home fans with a trip to Hearts next on May 4, live on Your Site.

Rangers head coach Danny Röhl speaking to Your Site News:

"My job is to go forward, lead them, I will lift them.

"We can be disappointed, but we lift them again, I give them the belief.

"It's not over, this is the part in this split, you have to carry on. It makes no sense to think it's over.

"If there's the final whistle at the end of the season, then it's over.

"My team did well so far and I have no doubts that we can do again, to take four wins, but it's not easy, we know this, and with this point we go forward.

"We keep believing in what we are doing and we have the chance to turn the next game back to our side."

Tags:

football report

Share this article

Related Posts

Police investigate video that appears to show York player punch a fan during match

Police investigate video that appears to show York player punch a fan during match

Police will investigate a video which seems to show a York player punching a fan after the Minstermen clinched promotion back to the Football League f...

Man City keep domestic treble dream alive and have potential Premier League title race advantage over Arsenal

Man City keep domestic treble dream alive and have potential Premier League title race advantage over Arsenal

“Not many journalists here, right? The game looks like it is not important.” It was the first thing Pep Guardiola said when he arrived for his press c...

Scottish Premiership title race: Rangers must beat Hearts to remain in contention after dramatic weekend, says Kris Boyd

Scottish Premiership title race: Rangers must beat Hearts to remain in contention after dramatic weekend, says Kris Boyd

"Rangers have to go there and win, or it's done."In the title race that keeps on giving, Kris Boyd believes his former club will be out of the running...

Sam Kerr becomes Chelsea's joint-record top-flight goal scorer in Everton win | Man Utd held at Tottenham - WSL roundup

Sam Kerr becomes Chelsea's joint-record top-flight goal scorer in Everton win | Man Utd held at Tottenham - WSL roundup

Chelsea closed in on Champions League qualification for next season as Sam Kerr's double helped the Women's Super League champions to a 4-1 win at Eve...

Arsenal looked 'strangled by fear' against Newcastle, says Jamie Redknapp, but Eberechi Eze brings X-factor

Arsenal looked 'strangled by fear' against Newcastle, says Jamie Redknapp, but Eberechi Eze brings X-factor

Jamie Redknapp praised Eberechi Eze for his match-winning contribution against Newcastle but said Arsenal looked "strangled by fear" in the edgy victo...

Arsenal 2-1 Lyon: Gunners battle from goal behind to take first leg lead to France in Women's Champions League semi-final

Arsenal 2-1 Lyon: Gunners battle from goal behind to take first leg lead to France in Women's Champions League semi-final

Holders Arsenal battled back from a goal down to secure a 2-1 first leg advantage in their Women's Champions League semi-final against Lyon at Emirate...