Manager Philippe Clement notes Rangers had to ‘battle and contend’ to secure a victory against Motherwell, bringing them within two points of Celtic with a game in hand.
Rangers got off to an ideal beginning as Kieran Dowell, in collaboration with Cyriel Dessers, netted a goal just three minutes into the game, beating Liam Kelly amid windy and wet conditions.
The lead was extended to two goals in the 16th minute with another impressive team effort, as Abdallah Sima controlled the ball for Todd Cantwell to elegantly slot it into the bottom corner.
Although Cyriel Dessers managed to find the net twice in the second half, both instances were disallowed due to offside rulings, leaving the potential for an even greater scoreline.
“The players put their egos aside and only focused on the team,” Clement told BBC Scotland.
“That is the mentality I want to see. It is important that players are ready for that but also that everyone in every position knows what to do.
“I know where the danger is when success is there. I am going to be very strict on the message that it is all about the team.”
Motherwell showed no signs of staging a comeback in the match and have now gone 15 games without a victory in the Scottish Premiership. They currently hold the second-bottom position, maintaining a five-point lead over Livingston.
Rangers efficiently took control of the game early on, securing two quick goals to ease any tension. In contrast, Motherwell faced a daunting task in attempting to make the match competitive.
Dowell’s goal was executed brilliantly. Rangers applied high pressure, leading the English midfielder to dispossess Harry Paton and calmly finish when he received the ball back in the box.
Cantwell’s goal demonstrated a similar composure. After Ridvan Yilmaz’s cross bounced on the edge of the box, Sima chested the ball into the path of the former Norwich City player, who calmly slotted it home for his first league goal of the season.
While the visitors had opportunities to score more, Dessers miskicked at the back post, and Connor Goldson failed to follow up.
Despite facing criticism in recent weeks, Motherwell goalkeeper Kelly, participating in his 113th consecutive league game for the club, made some impressive saves to prevent the score from escalating further.
Cantwell attempted a speculative volley, and the Scotland goalkeeper managed to deflect it onto the crossbar.
The second half posed more challenges for Clement’s team. Brodie Spencer missed an opportunity to test Jack Butland as he headed the ball wide, and he also went down in the box after a challenge from Yilmaz. However, the referee correctly decided that it was not a penalty.
In the second half, Rangers did manage to beat Kelly when Yilmaz quickly advanced and played a through ball to Dessers. The Nigerian striker executed a good finish, but the goal was disallowed due to an offside flag.
Dessers pulled off a similar move in the final moments of the game, displaying composure as he rounded the goalkeeper and slotted the ball home. A glance across the field, a wry smile, and the assistant referee’s flag fluttering in the wind completed the scene.