Rangers dropped three crucial points in the race for the title after losing 2-1 to Motherwell at Ibrox Stadium this afternoon.
Goals from Theo Bair and Dan Casey either side of James Tavernier’s penalty spot equaliser earned the ‘Well their first win over Rangers in seven years.
Philippe Clement’s side are still two points clear at the top of the table, but rivals Celtic now have the opportunity to return to the league’s summit when they travel to Tynecastle to face Hearts tomorrow lunchtime.
The results ends Rangers’ run of eleven consecutive victories and could prove to be an important turning point in the title race.
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell was pleased that his players were able to hang on for all three points this afternoon after losing two late goals to Celtic at Fir Park last weekend. He said:
“I didn’t see as many of the puppy dog eyes looking over to me as if they were tired.
“I do believe in it, I was maybe harsh last week on one or two but it’s lessons that have to be learned in football, it really is.
“To get anything, to achieve anything, you are going to have to hurt, you are going to have to go through the pain barrier.”
Rangers boss Philippe Clement called for more protection from referees after losing winger Ross McCausland through injury. The youngster was on the receiving end of a strong challenge from Motherwell’s winning goal-scorer Dan Casey. He said:
“He (Ross McCausland) was kicked off the pitch. There was no foul, no yellow card, no red card.
“If I see then the last couple of months the way we get red cards and I see this action, I don’t understand to be honest…
“It’s in the first half and you need to take player off because they cannot walk anymore because of a contact then you need to realise something really bad happened there, but clearly not…
“I think players need to be much better protected. We have now already several players kicked off the pitch this season.”
