Rangers 1, Motherwell 0: Dessers is the hero but Steelmen grab plaudits

Mothewell slumped to a second successive Premiership defeat as Rangers ran out slender winners at Ibrox - but the Steelmen gave as good as they got for large periods of the game.

Cyriel Dessers got a netbound touch on a Rabbi Matondo shot midway through the first half to get the hosts on their way, and although Motherwell saw plenty of the ball and threatened on occasion, they couldn't draw level.

Things might have been different, had Blair Spittal not had two shots cleared off the line in the last five minutes.

They will need to draw on that performance when they host leaders Celtic next Saturday in a lunchtime kick-off.

As it is, the win sees Rangers leapfrog Motherwell into third place by two points.

Dessers got Rangers off the mark in 24 minutes when he calmly diverted Matonodo's shot past Liam Kelly with what was the hosts' first real effort, though they had probed in and around the box a few times.

Motherwell looked dangerous in attack, with Harry Paton, Callum Slattery and Brodie Spencer going close in the first 45.

Rangers had chances other than their goal, with Sam Lammers twice going close, before Dessers tried to add to his tally.

The Ibrox side were dealt a blow in 38 minutes though when Matondo was forced off, with John Souttar his replacement.

The second half wasn't quite as lively, though Rangers tried on a few occasions to add to their lead, with Lammers and Dessers both going close, but it all then got a bit quiet, letting Motherwell back into the game.

Rangers boss Michael Beale made three changes to the side that beat Real Betis 1-0 on Thursday in the Europa League. Sam Lammers, Scott Wright and Cyriel Dessers came in for Abdallah Sima, Tom Lawrence and Kemar Roofe.

Motherwell gaffer Stuart Kettlewell