RANGERS recorded their fourth win on the bounce under Michael Beale and finished 2022 with a positive and thoroughly deserved victory over Steve Hammell’s Motherwell at Ibrox.
First-half headers from Alfredo Morelos and Connor Goldson put the Light Blues firmly in the driving seat and the Steelmen couldn’t find a way back into the game in the second forty-five.
Malik Tillman added a third goal just after the hour mark with a well-taken strike which completed a comfortable night’s work for Beale’s men who looked hungry and determined throughout.
The early stages of the match saw both teams enjoy spells of possession but in the 13th minute it was Rangers that broke the deadlock with a goal that was terrific in its simplicity.
Alex Lowry played the ball out wide to Borna Barisic and the Croatian international, on his return to the starting eleven after the World Cup, looked up once before whipping in a tremendous cross which curled and dipped over a defender.
It was inch perfect for Morelos who was in the right place to power a header into the roof of the net before he slid to his knees to celebrate in front of fans in the Bill Struth Main Stand.
Motherwell would have been disappointed to concede having started the game in a positive manner but Barisic’s assist was from the top drawer and showed the quality he possesses when given time and space to deliver from the left flank.
With a one-goal lead in place the Light Blues went in search of a quick second and on 20 minutes John Lundstram's deflected strike landed in front of Tillman but the American was unable to hit the target with a difficult volley.
The pressure was mounting on the visitors and when Morelos played a clever through pass to Tillman a late tackle from Ricky Lamie 20 yards from goal provided Rangers with another chance to test Liam Kelly. James Tavernier tried his luck but it was straight at the Motherwell keeper who saved at the second attempt.
On 39 minutes Rangers got the goal their play deserved to make it 2-0 and it was a sweet moment for scorer Goldson as he netted his first of the season. Lowry delivered a teasing corner-kick and the big defender did well to head the ball off the underside of the crossbar and over the line from eight yards.
It almost got even better for Beale’s men before the break. Lundstram played a terrific long pass forward to Tillman who cleverly back-heeled the ball into the path of Morelos. His powerful shot, however, was well saved by Kelly who blocked with his legs.
Rangers were in no rush at the start of the second half as they passed the ball around comfortably and waited for the right moment to ask further questions of Motherwell’s backline.
Four minutes in and Lowry’s low, toe-poked effort beat Kelly but the ball was cleared off the line nervously by a defender in front of the Copland Stand supporters who were out of their seats.
On the hour mark Morelos then used his pace and power to latch onto a long ball over the top with Lamie unable to match his strength. The Colombian controlled the bouncing ball and after taking the ball away from goalkeeper Kelly he attempted an audacious back heel which was netbound but was again booted away to safety by a Motherwell player.
The third goal finally arrived on 63 minutes and it was Tillman who showed a ruthless side to his game with an ice-cool finish.
A good passage of play saw Morelos pass the ball out to the 20-year-old on the right side of the 18-yard-box and his accurate finish went through the legs of a defender and into the opposite bottom corner of Kelly’s net.
With Rangers now in total control, both managers made numerous changes to their teams but there was concern for Beale as Morelos walked off slowly and tentatively as he was replaced by Rabbi Matondo.
The Welsh winger had an opportunity to make it 4-0 with eight minutes remaining. It was Tillman who threaded a perfect pass to the substitute but Kelly darted off his line to make an excellent save and to keep the score at 3-0 at the final whistle.
RANGERS: McGregor, Tavernier (Devine 65), Lundstram (Sands 65), Goldson, Jack (Kamara 65), Kent, Morelos (Matondo 69), Davies, Barisic, Lowry (Sakala 65), Tillman
SUBS: McLaughlin, Wright, Arfield, King
GOALS: Morelos 13, Goldson 39, Tillman 63
BOOKINGS: Tillman, Lundstram
MOTHERWELL: Kelly, O’Donnell, Lamie, Spittal (Ross 80), Slattery (Miller 64), McGinn, McKinstry (Van Veen 60), Cornelius, Penney, Goss (Maguire 64), Shields (Tierney 64)
SUBS: Oxborough, Spiers
BOOKINGS: Lamie, Slattery
REF: David Dickinson
ATT: 49,605
SHOP: Shop our Christmas Gift Guide for all the best festive ideas HERE
SUBSCRIBE: Get closer to your club with a RangersTV subscription HERE