Motherwell will head into 2023 on a run of five games without a win in the Premiership after they were swept aside by a resurgent Rangers at Ibrox.
The hosts maintained their 100 per cent record under new boss Michael Beale going into Saturday's Old Firm derby with Celtic after goals from Alfredo Morelos, Connor Goldson and Malik Tillman made for a miserable night in the rain for Motherwell.
It also means 'Well's 25-year wait for a league victory in Govan goes on.
Steven Hammell's side have slipped to 10th in the table and their relegation worries have intensified tonight with just three points separating them from rock bottom Ross County, who have played a game more, and two ahead of Dundee United in 11th spot.
With the January transfer window opening in a few days, the Steelmen's business in the month ahead could well make or break their season, as they desperately seek to add to their paltry five wins in 18 games so far.
Motherwell made just one change from Friday's frustrating draw with 10-man Kilmarnock as Dutch striker Kevin van Veen, who wasn't deemed fit enough to start due to illness, dropped to the bench. He was replaced by youngster Dean Cornelius.
New Gers boss Beale made five alterations from their 1-0 victory at Ross County on Friday.
Jon McLaughlin, Adam Devine, Scott Arfield, Glen Kamara and Fashion Sakala all dropped out as Borna Barisic's returned to the side after World Cup duty with Croatia to join Allan McGregor, Ryan Jack, Alfredo Morelos and Uddingston man Alex Lowry in the starting 11.
And it was the hosts who threatened first. In the third minute a corner caused concern for Motherwell and when the ball eventually fell to John Lundstrum inside the box, Matt Penney was well positioned to clear his goal-bound strike away from danger.
Rangers survived a big scare in the sixth minute when Shields pounced on a slack pass stole possession from Lundstrum on the halfway line.
That led to a footrace with Allan McGregor to the loose ball and although Shields nudged the ball away from the Rangers goalkeeper, an off balance Shields could only skew his strike wide of the target amid pressure from backtracking defenders.
And seven minutes later Rangers took the lead. Barisic received the ball out wide and his perfect delivery from the left picked out the run of the inrushing Morelos, who powered a header past Liam Kelly at the back post.
Tillman should have made it 2-0 to the hosts in 20 minutes when Lundstrum's deflected strike fell right into his path inside the box, but the Bayern Munich loanee blazed his effort over the bar from 10 yards.
Moments later Stephen O'Donnell's tantalising ball across the face of goal evaded everyone when all it needed was the faintest of touches from a player in claret and amber.
Ricki Lamie then took out Tillman just on the edge of the box as the American looked to nip into the penalty area. Referee David Dickinson opted to show the Englishman just a yellow card for his troubles.
Tavernier stepped up to take the free kick and although his effort slipped off the greasy palms of Kelly, the 'Well captain grabbed the ball at the second attempt. and the visitors breathed a sigh of relief.
A big chance presented itself to Cornelius in 34 minutes as Motherwell looked to haul themselves back into the game, but Ben Davies produced a fine block to turn his strike away to safety.
Six minutes before the break Rangers doubled their advantage with another header. This time it was Goldson who rose highest and his effort from a Barisic corner found its way past Kelly via the underside of the crossbar.
Lowry forced Kelly into a good stop and just before the break, only a fine save from Kelly stopped Rangers making it 3-0, as he got down well to parry Morelos' low drive after a neat backheel assist from Tillman inside the box.
Five minutes into the second half, Slattery was required to make a goal-line clearance to deny Lowry a certain goal after Kelly couldn't keep hold of a cross to the back post.
Motherwell turned to their bench on the hour mark when van Veen was brought on in place of McKinstry.
But the Rangers pressure kept coming and yet another goal-line clearance denied Rangers when Morelos' outrageous back heel effort was kept out.
Beale's boys weren't to be denied at third though and in 63 minutes Tillman made sure of the points when he arrowed a low strike into the bottom corner past Kelly.
That third goal prompted Hammell to introduce 16-year-old talent Lennon Miller into the Ibrox cauldron, alongside Ross Tierney and Barry Maguire at the expense of Shields, Slattery and Goss.
Motherwell thought they had pulled one back in 67 minutes when van Veen raced through on goal and coolly slotted past McGregor, but it was ruled out for offside after a VAR check.
In 83 minutes 16-year-old 'Well debutant Luca Ross was denied what would have been a huge goal in his young career when his close range effort, just seconds after coming on, was blocked by McGregor to ensure Rangers kept a clean sheet.
The Steelmen are back in action on Monday, when they ring in the new year away to Livingston at 3pm.
RANGERS: McGregor, Tavernier (Devine 66), Goldson, Davies, Barisic, Lundstram (Sands 66), Jack (Kamara 66), Lowry (Sakala 67), Tillman, Morelos (Matondo 69), Kent.
Scorers: Morelos 13, Goldson 39
Bookings: Tillman, Lundstrum
Subs not used: McLaughlin, Wright, Arfield, King.
MOTHERWELL: Kelly, O'Donnell, McGinn, Lamie, Penney, Goss (Maguire 66), McKinstry (van Veen 60), Slattery (Miller 66), Spittal (Ross 81), Cornelius, Shields (Tierney 65) .
Scorers:
Bookings: Lamie, Slattery, Penney
Subs not used: Oxborough, Speirs.
Ref: David Dickinson
VAR: Kevin Clancy
HT: 2-0
Att: 49,605
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