Malik Tillman's moment of magic set Rangers on their way to a much-needed three points despite a late Motherwell rally at Fir Park.
The USA international's brilliant solo run and finish lit up an otherwise dreary Premiership encounter before John Lundstram's header should've put the under-fire Ibrox men out of sight.
But Stuart McKinstry's looping free-kick strike, the youth academy product's first for the club, sparked a nervy finish from which Giovanni van Bronckhorst 's men just about emerged with three points.
They arrived in Lanarkshire still smarting from a 7-1 Champions League demolition at the hands of Liverpool on Wednesday and with the knowledge that Celtic had moved five points clear at the Premiership summit by scoring six of their own against Hibs on Saturday.