Rangersvs.Motherwell

The hosts triumphed over Kilmarnock in Ferguson's debut as caretaker manager, while the visitors secured a 2-1 triumph over Dundee in Michael Wimmer's first game as their new boss.

Match preview

Rangers have experienced an extremely inconsistent 2024-25 season, with a string of disappointing results leading to the recent dismissal of Philippe Clement from his role as manager of the club.

Clement, who had been in charge since October 2023, led the Gers to their worst league start after 12 matches since 2016-17, while they also failed to qualify for the Champions League, lost to Celtic in the Scottish League Cup final and crashed out of the Scottish FA Cup with a shock defeat to Queen's Park.

While results did improve at one point in the campaign, Rangers were unable to close the significant gap that Celtic developed at the beginning of the campaign, with the Bhoys boasting a 13-point lead at the top of the standings.

Rangers did have the chance to close the gap to 10 points as Celtic lost to Hibernian on matchday 27, but the Gers failed to capitalise as they lost 2-0 to St Mirren, resulting in Clement's sacking.

Ferguson has since been appointed until the end of the season on an interim basis, and it looked as though the Gers would get off to the worst possible start under the new boss as they trailed Kilmarnock 2-0 after just 14 minutes.

However, a brilliant turnaround saw Rangers score four, with three coming in the second half, as Ferguson went on to claim a 4-2 victory in his first match, a result that he will be eager to build on in the coming weeks, with a potential of being named as the permanent manager at the end of the campaign.

The Gers may face another tough test on Saturday, though, as Motherwell come into the game having secured a victory of their own in the first match under their new boss.

Stuart Kettlewell shockingly announced his departure from Motherwell after facing abuse following back-to-back defeats to the Scottish Premiership's worst-placed side, St Johnstone, with Stephen Frail briefly taking control of the club.

Frail failed to turn their fortunes around as the Steelmen lost all three matches under his tenure, but new manager Wimmer has made an instant impact, leading Motherwell to a 2-1 win against Dundee in his debut game.

That victory lifted Motherwell above both Kilmarnock and Ross County in the standings, climbing to eighth in the table, leaving them just two points behind sixth-placed Hearts.

While Wimmer will be hoping that the 'new manager bounce' can help Motherwell to a superb win on Saturday, the Steelmen have a disastrous record against the Gers, winning just one of their last 23 meetings.

Rangers Scottish Premiership form:

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W

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L

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Rangers form (all competitions):

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W

L

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W

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:

L

L

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L

W

Motherwell form (all competitions):

L

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L

W

Team News

Rangers are anticipated to be without Connor Barron (unspecified), Dujon Sterling (foot), John Souttar (calf) and Neraysho Kasanwirjo (knee) due to injury problems.

Clinton Nsiala was taken off after just 31 minutes of the victory against Killie, and Ridvan Yilmaz is likely to take his place in the starting 11, while the rest of the side could remain the same.

Mohammed Diomande secured two assists while Cyriel Dessers scored two goals in 11 minutes to turn the game around, and both will certainly feature from kick off on Saturday.

As for Motherwell, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (strain), Archie Mair (hand), Aston Oxborough (finger), Jack Vale (Achilles tendon), Paul McGinn (thigh), Ross Callachan (hamstring), Steve Seddon (ankle) and Zach Robinson (Achilles tendon) are all out with injuries.

After securing a 2-1 victory in their first match under Wimmer, the starting team is expected to remain the same here, with Dan Casey certainly in line to start after the defender scored both goals in that game.

Rangers possible starting lineup:

Butland; Yilmaz, Tavernier, Propper, Jefte; Diomande, Raskin; Cerny, Igamane, Hagi; Dessers

Motherwell possible starting lineup:

Balcombe; O'Donnell, Gordon, Casey; Sparrow, Andrews, Halliday, Miller, Thompson; Armstrong, Slattery

We say: Rangers 3-1 Motherwell

Written by

Ellis Stevens

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