Michael Beale made it four wins on the spin as Rangers boss as he set himself up for his derby day of reckoning. The Light Blues gaffer kept up his perfect start as they cruised to victory over Motherwell at rain-lashed Ibrox.
But now it’s time for the big one for Beale’s biggest test as champions Celtic head across the city for the January 2 showdown. Confidence has at least been restored and another three goals will certainly help the mood for the Old Firm derby showdown.
However, there is a major injury concern with Alfredo Morelos limping off with just over 20 minutes left after getting back to something of his best. The Colombian headed the opener and set up Malik Tillman for the third against the Steelmen after Connor Goldson’s first goal since March. It was a fifth of the season for Morelos and 117th for the club and in this type of form there is no doubt Beale will want him available against the Hoops.
Borna Barisic went straight back into the XI after returning from the World Cup with Croatia and he took just 13 minutes to show why Beale put his faith in the full back ahead of youngster Adam Devine who some might have felt was unlucky to lose his spot in the team.
It was Barisic who provided the assist for the opening goal with a peach of a cross from the left after Alex Lowry - also handed a start in one of five changes from the Ross County line-up - fed him and Morelos got on the end of it to send a header beyond Liam Kelly.
Gers had actually started sloppily with the Steelmen carving out a couple of chances and Malik Tillman picked up an early booking for a foul right on the edge of the box. But the goal settled the home side.
And they doubled the advantage before the break with another goal that came at a good time as Motherwell threatened at times on the counter. Again it was that man Barisic who was the provider as he swung in a corner and Goldson got above Ricki Lamie to head beyond Kelly, who should have done better with the effort from the defender who celebrated his first goal since March having recently returned from a two-month lay-off.
If Kelly didn’t look too clever there then he was much better on the stroke of half-time with an excellent stop to deny Morelos a second after great play from Malik Tillman to set up the Colombian.
Rangers were exactly where they wanted to be at the break yet it wasn’t a convincing first 45 minutes. They pressed for a third goal after the restart and Lowry and Morelos - with a cheeky back heel - both had efforts cleared off the line.
But they did get the third and Morelos turned provider when he threaded a ball through to Tillman and he sent a low shot beyond Kelly. That, though, proved to be the last major contribution from Morelos as he limped off with Rangers concerned over what looked like it could be a hamstring problem. Here’s three talking points from Govan
So far so good but now for the big one
Given the mood around the place before Michael Beale took over then there can be no complaints over the work he has done. He couldn’t have done any better than a perfect record of four wins from four. He has restored confidence and got the team winning again even when they aren’t playing well - something they weren’t doing under Giovanni van Bronckhorst. But there is no doubt they will have to seriously improve their overall performance when they face the stiffest test yet, against champions Celtic. The eagerly anticipated Ne’erday derby will be a a good gauge of just how much progress they have made and how far they have still to go. They were sloppy at times against Motherwell who had their chances and while you can’t argue with the scoreline, the champions would be unlikely to let them off the hook.
Brilliant Borna
Borna Barisic came in for a bit of stick following his comments about being exhausted after the World Cup, having only featured in one game for Croatia as they finished third in Qatar. And given Adam Devine had performed so well in his unnatural position of left back then plenty of supporters felt Barisic should be made to wait to reclaim his place.
But Michael Beale had other ideas - and was rewarded. The 30-year-old provided an absolute peach of a cross for Alfredo Morelos to head home the early opener for the hosts from close range before swinging in a corner for Connor Goldson to net the second.
Not doing Well enough
Steven Hammell won’t be judged on games away to the Old Firm but there’s no getting away from the the fact they are on a horror run and downward spiral. It’s now just one win in 10 games for the Steelmen and they are in a relegation battle. They travel to Livingston for the first game of 2023 before a Fir Park double header against Hibs and Ross County and the Lanarkshiremen will have a better idea after those three games of what kind of season they’ll be in for. And he can’t afford a hat-trick of losses or the pressure will really build. They played well in spells here but poor decision making in the final third cost them and they were punished at the other end.
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