Rangers 2, Motherwell 2

Match Date  : Saturday 27th September 1997
Competition : Premier League
Attendance  : 

Motherwell Team

Motherwell scorers: Tommy Coyne and Eliphas Shivute.

"ELVIS" PLAYS A 'WELL TUNE

Rangers    2    Motherwell   2

Right from kick-off Shivute was eager, just failing to connect with a Coyne flick through as Bjorklund intercepted in the nick of time. An early flowing movement by Rangers saw Gascgoine on the edge of the box but great defending by Fin Simo Valakari saw the danger break down as Simo won the ball. The home side then won a corner as Porinni's long punt found Negri. He attempted to control it with his knee, but Martin was there to put the ball out for a corner, albeit with a helping shove in the back from the Italian. Gascgoine swung the ball in, but as Bjorklund's header was cleared off the line by Weir, the diminutive winger was clearly fouled by Negri who has added a more cynical side to his nature. However, history looked like repeating itself when Motherwell took the lead in the seventh minute. As Rangers were preparing to celebrate their nine titles in-a-row on May 5, Motherwell swept into the lead in early fashion. This time, Tommy Coyne was the man on the mark. Bjorklund's clearance fell to Brian Martin just inside his own half, and his header forward was flicked on by Shivute into the path of Coyne. He held of Vidmar, and slipped the ball under the legs of Goram amidst wild celebrations in the away section of the ground. Rangers almost hit back immediately, Porinni's shot brilliantly tipped over by Woods. Charlie Miller then fell rather easily when challenged by Stevie McMillan on the edge of the box, and from the resultant twice-taken free-kick Gascoigne saw Woods make another great save to deny the home side. Rangers did equalize though there was a touch of controversy about it. Mickey Weir, making progress through the midfield, was challenged rather highly by Gattuso. The Referee chose to ignore the foul, and instead allowed Miller to proceed with the ball. His long pass through the middle was met by Negri, who nicked the ball by Woods and was able to finish from a tight angle despite a late challenge from Brian Martin. Gattuso then had his name taken for a very late tackle on Kevin Christie, who was lucky to escape serious injury. Motherwell then began to push out more, with Shivute continuing to cause Rangers more problems with his electric pace. Falconer's long ball down the wing was nicked away from Shivute by a despairing clearance from Bjorklund. >From the throw, Porinni was forced to concede a corner by the ever-alert Shivute. As Weir swung the ball in, Goram pushed Coyne out of the road and was stopped from getting a clean punch on the ball by Stenaas, however, the Referee strangely chose to award Goram a free-kick. Kevin Christie then found his way into the book by stopping Laudrup's progress on the wing. Although advantage was given, Ref Freeman caught up with Christie the moment the ball went out of play. From the throw-in. Valakari won possession for Motherwell on the edge of his own box as Rangers threatened. Valakari's clearance was brilliantly flicked on by Coyne to Coyle. His pass to Shivute was somehow flagged off-side despite the Namibian being on-line with Porinni as the ball was played. Excellent linking play by Shivute, Valakarki and Weir saw the latter feed Christie. His long ball was headed by Vidmar back into the path of Weir, who was again cynically challenged by Gattuso and a free-kick awarded. From Martin's free, Falconer headed back across goals to the un-marked Shivute who stooped to head home from about 8 yards, and his first goal for Motherwell was celebrated in good style by team-mates and fans alike. Nicknamed Elivs by his colleagues, Shivute looked a little bemused by all the fuss, but at half-time Motherwell led deservedly by 2 goals to 1.

Half-Time     Rangers 1     Motherwell 2 

The home side made two half-time substitutions, bringing Durie on for the injured Laudrup and Albertz on for the ineffective Bjorklund. Almost immediately the German made his presence felt by winning a corner seconds after the re-start., Durie, however, was punished for a foul on Keeper Woods from the resultant flag-kick. Earlier a hero, Tommy Coyne hung his head when he passed up an excellent opportunity soon after. Indecision in the home defence left Coyne with only Goram to beat but from 18 yards he chose to shoot early and wide when he could haven the ball in further, possibly unaware of the time he had available. Another chance saw Coyne's header fall into Goram's hands, chances which were to come back to haunt Motherwell half-way through the second half. Stenaas and Falconer both were booked in between, the Finn for throwing the ball away and Falconer for a high challenge on Gattuso. McMillan then followed though somewhat unluckily, booked for clipping Miller's heels though how the Referee could have deemed it a deliberate trip was mystifying. Rangers were upping the pace in an attempt to get back on level terms, good play involving Gascoigne, Cleland and Miller sent the Geordie Gascoigne through. His pass to the side was crossed in by Cleland, though Martin intercepted by heading hard into the ground. The ball bounced high, and as McMillan and Falconer attempted to clear Gascoigne pushed McMillan and a foul was given despite Rangers' fans screams for hand-ball. Woods then produced a terrific save from Gattuso's header, but from the corner he could do little as Porinni rose above the defence to nod in, though he did appear to be leaning on Denham as he jumped for the ball. The Motherwell hero was undoubtedly Woods as he produced two outstanding saves in quick succession to keep the scoreline level. Firstly, Stenaas cross was met by Negri but his header was clutched by Woods. Then Negri was at it again, only to be foiled by the in-form keeper. Motherwell at last broke out, and only a terrific interception from Cleland after brilliant skills by Shivute prevented Coyne from bearing down on goal. Charlie Miller then saw his name taken after one dive too many. Motherwell made a substitution by bringing on McCulloch for the tired Shivute, who had clearly made a big impressoin with the Motherwell support as he received a heroes reception as he left the field. With six minutes to go Rangers almost stole the points. Tommy Coyne's pass to Weir ricoched off Stenaas to Gascoing, who intelligently fed the unmarked Negri on the penalty spot. Taking one touch too many, he scooped the ball high over the bar. Gascoigne then saw his name taken for persistant fouling as he seemed annoyed at losing possession near the corner flag. Brian Martin limped off near the end of the match after a heroic performace, and in his absence Stevie Craigan helped keep Rangers out. At time-up, Motherwell thoroughly deserved their point, though the home side must be concerned as they face the prospect of another early departure from Europe.

FULL TIME    Rangers 2  Motherwell 2

Match Report by Ricky Mullen (ricky@motherwell.co.uk)