The Scottish Premiership title race took another extraordinary turn on Wednesday night as Rangers conceded an 89th-minute equaliser to a 10-man Motherwell side. The 1-1 draw at Fir Park means Danny Röhl’s men now sit five points behind league-leaders Hearts ahead of Sunday’s massive showdown.
On a night where Rangers needed to match the pace set by the Jambos, they were ultimately undone by a familiar face, as on-loan Celtic defender Stephen Welsh lashed home a late leveller to spark scenes of total frenzy in Lanarkshire.
Early Dominance, Late Frustration
Things started perfectly for the visitors. With only six minutes on the clock, Nico Raskin tucked the ball away with aplomb after a clinical break involving Mohamed Diomande. It was the first goal Motherwell had conceded at home in nine matches—a run dating back to before Röhl even arrived at Ibrox.
However, Rangers failed to kill the game off. Youssef Chermiti missed a golden one-on-one opportunity before the break, and as the second half progressed, the “vim and vigour” that has defined the recent Rangers resurgence began to fade as they attempted to slow the tempo.
The Red Card Twist
The game appeared to swing decisively in Rangers’ favour with 13 minutes remaining. Motherwell’s Lukas Fadinger was sent off following a VAR review for a heavy challenge on Mikey Moore. With a man advantage and a one-goal lead, the three points seemed secure.
But Motherwell refused to drop their heads. In the 89th minute, Welsh connected with an Eythor Bjorgolffson knockdown to snatch a point and leave Rangers reeling.
- The Gap: Hearts now lead Rangers by five points at the summit.
- The Fortress: Motherwell remain incredibly difficult to beat at home, showing the resilience that has them fighting for the top four.
- The Stakes: Sunday’s match at Ibrox is now effectively “must-win” for Rangers if they want to keep their title dreams in their own hands.
🗣️ FAN ANALYSIS: WHERE DID IT GO WRONG?
Rangers fans, that late equaliser felt like a massive blow. We want to hear your thoughts on the performance:
- Was the team too defensive in the second half?
- With a 5-point gap, is Sunday’s game against Hearts now a ‘must-win’?
Post your analysis and your Ibrox score predictions in the comments below! 👇
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Rangers fan and former player, he combines over a decade of sports media experience with a deep-seated passion for the Scottish game. From the Ibrox stands to the lower-league terraces, Frankie is dedicated to providing honest, fan-led analysis of the full Scottish pyramid.
