Match date : Tuesday 17th February 1998 Competition : Scottish Cup 4th Round replay Attendance : 42,043
SLACK WELL CRASH OUT OF SCOTTISH CUP
Rangers 3 Motherwell 0A LACKLUSTRE, IDEALESS PERFORMANCE From Motherwell saw them crash out rather dissapointingly at Ibrox Stadium on Tuesday Evening. After playing Rangers off the park on Saturday, this display came as a major let-down to their large travelling army of supporters.
It didn't start well for Motherwell with Barry Ferguson, the young Rangers midfielder who had an impressive game, getting in an early shot which did not trouble Woods. Slow to react to Rangers probing moves, Motherwell were on the back foot for the majority of the first-half. Ian Ferguson fired in a shot which Woods clutched well on his line as Rangers attempted to make their opening dominace count, but it was Motherwell who next threatened. Moore almost sythed McSkimming in two, but as play was allowed to carry on by the inconsistent McCurry, Garcin lashed in a 25-yard shot which sailed narrowly past. The good, noisy 'Well support were warmed by this, and roared their team on, despite being well outnumbered . Rangers went back on the attack, Negri chased a ball into the box with Martin, but even though Martin clearly knocked the ball against the Italian and out of play, Referee McCurry awarded a corner. Gough then offered Motherwell an excellent opportunity to open the scoring when his attempted pass-back fell woefully short. Coyle was on it in a flash, but his shot was blocked by Goram and subsequently gathered by the large Keeper, with Tommy Coyne clear on the penalty spot irate at his team-mate. Barry Ferguson then tested Woods again, before Rangers claimed a penalty when Durie fell rather easily as Martin cleared for a corner. Motherwell gradually began to string some passes together, though any attacking play was disappointing, the spark which Dougie Arnott had ignited on Saturday sadly lacking as the striker was out injured. The visitors had a fair claim for a penalty ignored soon after. McMillan's free-kick, awarded after Albertz crude tackle on Garcin, was aimed for Falconer, but the 'Well midfielder was prevented from reaching the ball by the attentions of Gough. Motherwell's weak link, the right-back position, was cruelly exposed in two decisive minutes just before half-time. Albertz had all the time in the world to drill the ball home at the near post with Eddie May completely absent, though Woods really should have done better. Then McSkimming, completely out-of-sorts, lost possession to Albertz. The Germans hopeful ball for Durie was misjudged by May, allowing Durie to run on and poke the ball wide of Woods. It was nearly three, Ian Ferguson showing some rare skill by chipping Garcin and volleying just past. Then Brian Martin was dispossessed, though Alberts' cross just evaded Negri. Rangers went in two ahead, though far from convincing, whereas Motherwell looked completely dis-interested.
Half-Time Rangers 2 Motherwell 0Motherwell came out with a much more positive attitude at the beginning of the second half, and two extremely poor refereeing decisions cost them a lifeline back into this Cup-Tie. Following a foul against Moore on Coyne, Garcin's free-kick sent Coyle clear, but despite running from behind the Rangers defence he was strangely given off-side. Next, as McSkimming tusseled with Moore on the half-way line, the Rangers player won possession and played a terrible ball along his back four to the unmarked Coyne. The Irish International raced through on Goram only for play to be hauled back for a foul against McSkimming, given only after Moore's pass went astray. Rangers went back on the attack clearly realising it was going to be their night. Cleland was awarded a corner despite pushing Christie out of the road in the box, Gough's header was then blocked on the line by May, with Negri's challenge resulting in a foul. Coyle then fired in a terrific cross at the other end only to see Motherwell's lack of adventure underlined with no taker at the near post. Laudrup, seemingly quiet and dis-interested, did burst into the box, and as he squared for Negri, McMillan's great takcle saw Woods collect with the Rangers fans howling for a penalty. Garcin was lucky to escape with only a yellow card after brining down Barry Ferguson on the edge of the box, though Laudrup's free-kick ended up well above the bar. With 20 minutes left Motherwell brought on McCulloch to join recent sub Valakari, and Motherwell at last had some bite in midfield. Indeed, Motherwell gained their first corner a minute later, though as this was cleared to McMillan, his poor forward pass was intercepted by Durie. Forward to Laudrup, only a well-timed block by May prevented another goal as Woods gathered. Durie then found his way into the book following a terrible challenge on Coyle, and from the free-kick by Garcin, Goram collected inches from McCulloch as the Under-21 Scotland star was ready to pounce. Motherwell were pushing forward leaving gaps at the back, which Durie almost punished with a stinging 20-yarder which went just over. Falconer and Garcin then linked well for the visitors, Garcin chipping to Coyle, but his cross was cleared only to McMillan. His pass in to McCulloch was greeted by a cynical challenge from Bjorklund. Incredibly, Referee McCurry waved play on. Rangers swept forward, but Albertz final shot was wide. However, the German made amends when he finished the scoring soon after. McCall's chip over the defence saw Albertz again in isolation, and he scored easily. Durie almost ruined his teams' night when he somehow escaped a red card after three disgracefu lunges at McMillan.
Full-Time Rangers 3 Motherwell 0