Ex-Bohemians defender Dan Casey nets winner as Motherwell stun Rangers at Ibrox

Dubliner Dan Casey headed in the winner as Motherwell secured a shock 2-1 victory over Rangers at Ibrox to hand the initiative in the cinch Premiership title race back to Celtic.

Stuart Kettlewell’s side silenced most of Ibrox in the ninth minute with a goal from striker Theo Bair which left the Light Blues struggling to read an unexpected script.

Gers skipper James Tavernier scored from the spot on the hour after the VAR had intervened but ex-Bohemians and Cork City defender Casey restored the visitors’ lead with a close-range finish in the 74th minute for the first Well win in the league at Ibrox since 1997.

Casey had two spells at Bohs either end of a season at Cork City in 2019, before spending two years in the USL Championship with Sacramento Republic.

His goal condemned Philippe Clement's side to a first defeat in 12 games in all competitions and although they remain two points clear of their Old Firm rival at the top of the table, Celtic get the chance to leapfrog them against Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday.

Clement’s side had fought back to beat Kilmarnock 2-1 at Rugby Park on Wednesday night, which kept them ahead of the Hoops and it was widely believed that three more points would be garnered against the Steelmen.

Motherwell led at home to Celtic last Sunday, only to eventually lose 3-1, before winning by the same scoreline at basement side Livingston midweek.

The visitors had the first chance when defender Bevis Mugabi headed a Blair Spittal corner over the bar but they did not miss the second. Jack Vale got past defender John Souttar and cut the ball back for Bair to steer the ball past goalkeeper Jack Butland and in off the post for his sixth goal in nine games.

Cyriel Dessers headed a Ridvan Yilmaz past the post