Motherwell 1-1 Rangers

May 18 2008 Mark Guidi At Fir Park

WHEN Mark McGhee's Motherwell side won at Celtic Park at the start of April it appeared to end Gordon Strachan's title chances. Now McGhee has helped to redirect the championship back into the path of his mate after taking two precious points off Rangers.

Before this game the destination of the title was in Walter Smith's hands but that is no longer the case.

Superior goal difference has made the Hoops favourites.

Yet with the way Smith's men started yesterday you couldn't see anything but a Gers victory.

They took the lead through Christian Dailly but blew a couple of chances to grab a second.

And Chris Porter made Rangers pay for those misses when he levelled four minutes after the break.

Ibrox ace Nacho Novo must have been gutted at failing to start the UEFA Cup Final in midweek after an excellent run of form.

But he was given the nod by gaffer Smith for the trip to Fir Park and was a man on a mission.

Busy as ever, Novo was the main reason Well's defence was under siege and having to defend set-pieces.

The Spaniard came close with a shot that was deflected just wide then set up Daniel Cousin for a 20-yarder which was well held byGraeme Smith.

A goal looked like it was on the way and when it arrived after 28 minutes it was no more than rampant Rangers deserved.

Yet from the home side's point of view it could have been avoided.

Gers defender Kirk Broadfoot sent an up-and-under into the box and keeper Smith came eight yards off his line in an attempt to collect.

He made a total hash of it and Dailly outjumped everyone to flick the ball into the empty net.

That settled the nerves and Rangers kept at it in search of a second goal, showing tremendous energy.

McGhee's men rarely got out of their own half. When they did, they couldn't test Neil Alexander.

However, the Ibrox keeper did have a save to make three minutes before half-time when he tipped a Brian McLean shot over the bar.

Rangers should have increased their lead 60 seconds after the interval when Cousin out-muscled the hesitant-looking Stephen Craigan and Mark Reynolds.

Smith came out to meet the striker as he raced clean through and Cousin's weak effort came off the Fir Park keeper's legs.

It was a huge moment because Well equalised just three minutes later.

Stephen Hughes sent over an inviting cross that was met by David Clarkson at the back post. His header crashed off Alexander's left-hand post and the ball made its way out to the right wing for Darren Smith.

He sent the ball back into the mix and a neat flick from McLean set up Porter who slammed home.

It was a good goal for Motherwell but diabolical defending froma near static Gers defence.

Rangers were crushed but tried to bounce back immediately and Charlie Adam curled a free-kick just inches off target.

The midfielder almost scored again in 64 minutes when he drilled in a powerful shot from eight yards that was beaten away by Smith.

But Motherwell were controlling the game by this stage. Rangers looked tired in the middle of the park and this allowed Steven McGarry, Hughes and Smith plenty of the ball.

Smith was taken off in 67 minutes for Marc Fitzpatrick while Lee McCulloch made way for Steven Davis.

Craigan - booked in the first half for a foul on Couisin - should have been given a second yellow card two minutes later when he again took the hitman out of the game 35 yards out.

But ref John Underhill amazingly didn't pull the book out and Motherwell were allowed to continue with 11 men.

Rangers tried to put pressure on and Jean-Claude Darcheville and Kris Boyd were both introduced. But there was little threat to Smith's goal.

Credit to the Well players for putting on a committed display despite having already secured a UEFA Cup place.

They dedicated the Euro spot to Phil O'Donnell in the match programme and also waved a huge No.10 shirt on the pitch at time-up as they took a bow in front of their fans.

The football they have played, the entertainment provided and the tragedy they have come through has made Well the team of the season.

But the most important thing is which side will be crowned SPL champions on Thursday night?

REF WATCH

JOHN UNDERHILL was having a good game until he failed to give Stephen Craigan a second yellow for a blatant booking. Rating: 5/10.

MATCH STATS

MOTHERWELL vs RANGERS

SHOTS ON 2

SHOTS OFF 3

OFFSIDE 3

FOULS 15

CORNERS 5

BOOKINGS 2

SHOTS ON 5

SHOTS OFF 4

OFFSIDE 1

FOULS 11

CORNERS 8

BOOKINGS 0