Motherwell vs Rangers Preview

Rangers against Motherwell Preview Perhaps too soon for some, Rangers are back in action on Sunday as they travel to Fir Park to take on Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

The Gers go into the game on the back of a dismal 2-1 Boxing Day defeat to St.Mirren at the SMiSA Stadium.

An injury time dagger from Caolan Boyd-Munce cancelled out Danilo’s second-half equaliser and piled on the pressure on an already under-fire Phillipe Clement as Rangers now sit 12 points behind league leaders Celtic as we head into the new year.

With away form being a cause for concern for Rangers this year, this will be sure to motivate Stuart Kettlewell’s Motherwell side who will be looking to bounce back after a 4-0 thrashing from Celtic.

Rangers have already gotten the better of sixth-placed Motherwell twice this season, securing narrow 2-1 wins in both the league and the Premier Sports Cup semi-final.

Kettlewell’s side will take heart from the return of defender Dan Casey, whose controversial red card against Kilmarnock last Friday was overturned.

Casey’s inclusion will add stability to a defence that has had its share of struggles.

For Rangers, defensive frailty remains a concern, particularly after Leon Balogun limped off inside 20 minutes on Thursday.

Although Clement has assured fans the injury is not as severe as feared, his absence could leave the backline exposed.

Expect Kettlewell to set his side up with a compact defensive shape, aiming to frustrate Rangers and exploit opportunities on the counter.

Philippe Clement’s approach, meanwhile, will likely focus on retaining possession and creating width, but the Belgian manager’s unpredictable rotation makes it difficult to pin down a definitive starting lineup.

After Thursday’s match, Nicolas Raskin is perhaps the only player to have truly staked his claim for a starting spot.

This match is shaping up to be a test of character for both teams. Will Rangers steady the ship and end the year on a positive note, or will Motherwell seize their chance to pile on more misery for the visitors on their final test before the Old Firm next Thursday?