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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

3 Rangers talkers as Malik Tillman goal lights up tight Motherwell win

Moment of magic

AFTER a forgettable first-half, Malik Tillman scored an unforgettable opener.

The Bayern Munich loanee passed up a couple of major chances in the first 45 minutes with wayward shooting.

But when space opened up in the second period and Motherwell's defence split wide open, the midfielder surged into the box and coolly slotted home.

Having picked up the ball in his own half it was a long way to go solo for Tillman before remaining composed to put his side in front.

New defensive partnership

CONNOR GOLDSON, John Souttar and Filip Helander is quite the defensive injury list for Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Rangers.

But, the Dutchman can be pleased with his new-found central duo in the form of Ben Davies and Leon King.

While things did get a little frantic in the closing stages, for the most part the partnership was rock solid at the heart of the Rangers rearguard.

King is, of course, still raw but doesn't look out of place in the Rangers team and was comfortable alongside Davies.

It will be a concern to not have kept a clean sheet in Lanarkshire, but the goal to threaten a Motherwell comeback came from a goalkeeping mistake rather than defensive mishap.

Nervy finish does no favours

RANGERS did what was needed in picking up a vital win after the nightmare Champions League loss in midweek.

After Tillman and John Lundstram netted it seemed like it was game over, but when Stuart McKinstry caught out Allan McGregor it made it a frantic finale.

It would have been the last thing Van Bronckhorst wanted to see with his side having to grind it out at the death after appearing comfortable.

But the Ibrox manager did achieve the much-needed triumph in Lanarkshire - even if it was a more nervy final period than he'd have liked.

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