Rangers blitz ‘Well in 20 minute spell

CHAMPIONS Rangers showed the rest of the Scottish Premier League yet again just why they own that title as they maintained their 100% start to their league title defence with a 4-1 win over Motherwell at Ibrox.

Goals from Steven Naismith, Steven Davis, Kenny Miller and Vladimir Weiss ensured Rangers won their eighth game on the spin in the SPL.

But it was the visitors who had taken a first half lead in Govan. After arguably being the better side in the opening 45 minutes, Nick Blackman headed in a cross from Jamie Murphy a minute before the interval.

The Rangers supporters vented their frustration at half time towards the referee as he walked off the field with his assistants. A few dodgy decisions from the man in black prompted quite a few boos from the legions.

Craig Brown’s side hadn’t lost a goal away from home up until Naismith took advantage of a quick break, collecting a ball from Lafferty to knock the ball past Randolph with the outside of his boot.

Then, 15 minutes later, an early contender for goal of the season from Northern Ireland’s Steven Davis. The Ulsterman burst forward from midfield and from 18 yards curled a sweet drive past ‘Well keeper Randolph for 2-1.

Naismith worked space well on the left three minutes later, neatly turning inside before crossing perfectly for Kenny Miller to bullet home a header and his 11th goal of the season. It was a reversal of Tuesday night, where Miller crossed for Naismith to score for Scotland against the world champions Spain.

Rangers were unstoppable and another two minutes on a neat one-two between Kyle Lafferty and Vladimir Weiss ended up in the latter cleverly taking the ball round Randolph and placing it in the net for 4-1 to the Rangers. It was good to see from a Bears point of view the Slovakian winger Weiss finally having an end product to his sometimes frustrating ball skills and flicks.

Rangers then played out the rest of the game with ease, with stand-in goalkeeper Neil Alexander making a fine save from Jamie Murphy the only interesting action.

Walter Smith took off Miller, Weiss and Edu perhaps with one eye on the Champions League encounter with Valencia on Wednesday night, replacing them with up-and-coming youngsters Rory Loy, Gregg Wylde and Kyle Hutton.

Walter Smith told rangers.co.uk: “We were slow to start the game but after the internationals, that is always something you worry about.

We didn’t really deserve any more than we got in the first half because Motherwell were brighter without either side having great opportunities.”

“In the second half we were much brighter with a 25 minute spell that was very good in terms of our attacking play.

The finishing was excellent and there was more of an edge to us in that second period and although the first goal was scrappy it was a good one to get at that time.”

“So we’re delighted to maintain the good run and we’re pleased to go in to Champions League with a bit of confidence.

We didn’t have that last season in Europe when we were dropping points in the league so that is a pleasing aspect.”

A good three points for the Gers which makes it eight wins out of eight in the campaign so far, with Rangers three points clear of Celtic and two ahead on goal difference.

Celtic travel to Dundee United in tomorrow’s televised clash at Tannadice, and Rangers will be hoping the Tangerines can provide an upset ahead of next Sunday’s massive Old Firm derby at Celtic Park.

It will be very interesting to say the least if Neil Lennon’s side take three points in Tayside, which would mean both Glasgow giants going head-to-head to win their ninth game in a row. ‘Nine In A Row’, a phrase that will have all Celtic supporters quaking in their boots.