Barry Ferguson suffers Rangers nightmare on emotional Ibrox return as Motherwell pile on the agony - 3 talking points

Barry Ferguson suffers Rangers nightmare on emotional Ibrox return as Motherwell pile on the agony – 3 talking points

It goes from bad to worse for the Light Blues in a season from hell as they lost a THIRD home game in a row

Barry Ferguson

Rangers yet again failed to put up a good enough fight as Motherwell wrecked Armed Forces Day at Ibrox.

It was a big occasion for the hosts as captain James Tavernier recorded his 500th appearance and caretaker gaffer Barry Ferguson took the team for the first time at home. But it was new Well gaffer Michael WImmer celebrating at the end as his team grabbed a huge win to make back into the top six.

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Cyriel Dessers gave Rangers hope in the second half but it the strikes from Luke Armstrong and Tom Sparrow that consigned Gers to a third straight home defeat. Just like Thursday night at Kilmarnock, Rangers found themselves behind early as they conspired to shoot themselves in the foot just nine minutes in. It was a moment of self-inflicted nonsense as what should have been a Gers break away ended with the hosts in trouble. Jack Butland took a cross before rolling the ball to Dessers.

But the striker’s ridiculously heavy touch allowed Kai Andrews to pinch possession risky territory. Even then it Gers should have dealt with it as Dan Casey sent a weak shot at goal.

Rangers' Robin Propper, James Tavernier and Ianis Hagi look dejected

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But only Butland will be able to explain why he palmed the effort back into traffic, presenting Armstrong with a gift as the Well striker bundled home. Ferguson hoped for a moment his side’s blushes would be spared by an offside flag but there was no let off as VAR called in to say it was good to go.

Just as they were at Rugby Park, Gers were second to every ball. But Motherwell were superb in their organisation and intent. And when Jefte failed to cut out a long pass out wide to Callum Slattery, Well were in again.

The ball was fed to Sparrow but he wasted a golden chance as he fired into the side netting with just Butland to beat. But Gers continued to invite trouble and found themselves in trouble again as Tavernier lost out in a duel with Slattery. Again the ball was zipped into Sparrow’s feet and this time Welshman made no mistake with his finish as Ferguson was again left to watch as his side slipped two behind.

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Dessers had with great chance to pull one back but stuck a volley into the side netting while Ellery Balcombe turned over a well-stuck shot from Mohamed Diomande.

Predictably there were furious boos at the break. Ferguson was again forced to shake things up, dragging off the dithering Robin Propper, Hamza Igamane and Ianis Hagi all sacrificed as as Leon Balogun, Tom Lawrence and Nedim Bajrami were sent in a desperate bit to get Rangers going.

And they did claw one back on 54 minutes as Lennon Miller’s unfortunate nick on the ball caught out team-mate Casey, leaving Dessers to snatch a life line for the hosts as he rammed past Balcombe.

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The Fir Park keeper did well to bundle away a Bajrami strike as Ranfgers finally turned up the pace and the pressure. But when substitute Danilo chose to unsuccessfully square the ball to Dessers instead of shooting himself, there was another furious blast from the frustrated home fans.

Cyriel Dessers of Rangers celebrates scorin

Dessers thought he’d drawn the hosts level on 79 but the Nigerian had wandered offside from Danilo’s flick on before lobbing home. Tavernier could have marked his big day with a goal but blazed over as loose ball fell to him in the box. Here's three talking points from Ibrox

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500 not out for Tav

It was a special day for James Tavernier as he clocked up 500 appearances for the club. It’s an achievement that will go down in the club’s history books.

But it’s the fact there have been far too many of these bleak afternoons that Tavernier will continue to divide the Ibrox faithful. The skipper was accompanied by his three kids as he lead the team out for his big milestone occasion.

Yet it was some shoddy schoolboy defending from Tavernier and his team that allowed Well to storm two goals ahead. He and Robin Propper were repeatedly beaten in the air and on the deck as Motherwell stormed forward hoping to repeat what Queen’s Park and St Mirren have done of late.

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Rangers bomb squad grows

Robin Propper admitted this week that Barry Ferguson could have hauled off every single player in a blue jersey at Rugby Park on Wednesday as he tried to cheer up French fall guy Clinton Nsiala.

This time it was the dithering Dutchman who got the half-time hook as he, Hamza Igamane and Ianis Hagi all paid the price for another wretched first 45 showing. And he can have no complaints after a dreadful performance.

With John Souttar still missing and Leon Balogun only fit to start on the bench, Ferguson was forced to go again with the former FC Twente skipper. But it was yet another afternoon where he failed to stand up to Scottish football’s physical challenge.

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Nsiala was missing completely as Ferguson took pity on the 21-year-old. Propper can have no complaints if he gets the same treatment next time.

And Jack Butland must be worrying about his slot too. The ex-England keeper was the club’s player of the year last term but he’s been a shadow of that this year, with his early howler setting the tone for another dire display.

Wimmer takes it all

Motherwell’s former Gers ace Andy Halliday made headlines a couple of weeks back when he pointed out the stark difference between the Ibrox side and their Parkhead rivals is that while Celtic come raring out the traps, it often takes the Light Blues an age to get up to speed. And he was proved entirely right as his old side got off to another terrible start.

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Motherwell boss Michael Wimmer (Image: SNS Group )

But as bad as Rangers were, it should not detract from just how well Motherwell did. Michael Wimmer has only been in charge at Fir Park for three weeks and yet he’s already succeeded in implementing his high-pressing style.

The German boss wants energy and aggression from his team and it was with that philosophy that they continually set traps for the hosts during a dominant first-half display. Their legs understandably tired in the second period but they stood firm to record a famous win.

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