Football Apr 30, 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

Arsenal: Paul Merson says Mikel Arteta's side will win title if they beat Fulham as Jamie Carragher warns about 'banana skin'

Arsenal: Paul Merson says Mikel Arteta's side will win title if they beat Fulham as Jamie Carragher warns about 'banana skin'

Paul Merson says Arsenal will end their 22-year wait for another Premier League trophy if they beat Fulham but Jamie Carragher has warned Marco Silva'...

How 10 Premier League teams could be in Europe next season, with six in the Champions League

How 10 Premier League teams could be in Europe next season, with six in the Champions League

The Premier League could have six teams in the Champions League next season and 10 in Europe after a potentially pivotal weekend. Manchester United mo...

Brighton: WSL team reveal plans for first purpose-built stadium for women's football in the UK and Europe

Brighton: WSL team reveal plans for first purpose-built stadium for women's football in the UK and Europe

Brighton have revealed their plans for the first purpose-built stadium for women's football in the UK and Europe.The proposals were first approved by...

Marcus Rashford: Forward happy to take pay cut to seal permanent move from Man Utd to Barcelona - Paper Talk

Marcus Rashford: Forward happy to take pay cut to seal permanent move from Man Utd to Barcelona - Paper Talk

The top stories and transfer rumours from Tuesday's newspapers...Marcus Rashford is willing to take a pay cut to force through a permanent move from M...

Jamie Carragher says James Maddison may have role to play if Tottenham are to stay in Premier League

Jamie Carragher says James Maddison may have role to play if Tottenham are to stay in Premier League

Jamie Carragher has a feeling James Maddison may have a role to play if Tottenham are going to avoid relegation and stay in the Premier League.Spurs w...

Julian Alvarez: Diego Simeone says Arsenal interested in signing Atletico Madrid forward along with PSG and Barcelona

Julian Alvarez: Diego Simeone says Arsenal interested in signing Atletico Madrid forward along with PSG and Barcelona

Arsenal are interested in Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez but face competition to sign him from Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, according to...