It was a massive day in Govan and the title chasers were denied after Emmanuel Fernandez turned into his own net

17:18, 26 Apr 2026Updated 17:48, 26 Apr 2026

Rangers 2 Motherwell 3 – Best of the Premiership action

The Rangers support took a trip down memory lane as they laid on a retro kit catwalk.

But it was a day that ended in familiar fashion as yet again, with the pressure on, their team fell apart at the seams.

Having found themselves two down at the break, a second half fightback looked to have salvaged a draw that while damaging was not totally disastrous.

But it’s now the Light Blues’ title hopes that are hanging by a thread after Manny Longelo’s last minute winner gave Motherwell the win and left Danny Rohl’s team down in third place behind Celtic and Hearts.

Not for the first time this term, it was Jens Berthel Askou’s silky Steelmen who were dressed to impress as they put on a dazzling first half display to stun the pumped-up Ibrox faithful, who came kitted out in vintage jerseys from yesteryear.

There was flags and banners all around too as supporters clubs from across the country draped their colours across Ibrox.

But it was Well who had the freedom of Glasgow as their swashbuckling midfield dominated from the start.

The Fir Park side pounced for the opener 16 minutes in as they swept from one end of the pitch to the other.

A move started by keeper Calum Ward was superbly finished by Fadinger as he rifled past Jack Butland after a one-two with Stephen O’Donnell.

Motherwell’s Emmanuel Longelo celebrates with Tawanda Maswanhise

It was no shock. Well were dictating the tempo, playing all the football.

And they deservedly grabbed a second on 26 minutes as Tom Sparrow swept a low ball across goal for Manny Longelo to sweep home.

While the visitors looked like they could score with every attack, Rangers had struggled to create anything bar the odd fruitless free-kick sighter.

Rohl had no choice but to make changes at the break. Jayden Meghoma, Tochi Chukwuani and Bojan Miovski were hooked an no wonder after hopeless first halves.

On came captain James Tavernier, Mohamed Diomande and Mikey Moore.

A change in approach was needed more importantly Rohl got one as his team finally began to apply pressure.

They got one back when Chermiti took advantage of a Paul McGinn slip to slot past Ward.

And the big striker was involved again as Gers roared back level with 20 left when Manny Fernandez headed a Tavernier back across goal. Chermiti’s header took a nick off Raskin to square things up.

That teed up a tension-filled finale.

But it was Well who produced the stunning final blow as they broke away at the death, with Longelo’s shot deflected past Butland by Fernandez.

Chermiti and Moore could have snatched a draw in injury time but neither could beat Ward.

Here’s five talking points from Ibrox

Rangers belief shattered

The Rangers faithful unveiled a pre-match tifo in tribute to Marvin Andrew and his “Keep Believing” motto from Helicopter Sunday.

But this is a defeat that will shatter faith in Rangers’ ability to take the crown.

The fans had turned out in such hope. The noise before kick-off was dialled all the way to maximum, so much so you could have mistaken it for a title day party.

Clearly the punters understood the enormity of the game, the question was: did the players?

Rohl was looking for his side to start this one like they did the second half at Falkirk two weeks ago. Instead it was more of what we saw in the opening half against the Bairns as Jekyll and Hyde Gers again laboured out the traps.

You’d never have guessed they were the team gunning for a title by the way they limply started. Motherwell in contrast looked ravenous by comparison, desperate to cover the ground and make the tackles couldn’t be bother doing.

It was better after the break – but they left themselves too much to do and open to such punch that duly arrived in the 90th minute.

Chermiti’s choker

There is no doubt the big striker has come on leaps and bounds since the day he was being written off as an £8million flop late last year.

He took his goal superbly well to give Gers a lifeline.

Rangers’ Youssef Chermiti scores

He might not credit for the equaliser after it took a touch off Raskin but there was no doubt it was hunger to get on Manny Fernandez’s knock down that ensured Rangers got back level.

But there were a couple of other missed opportunities, chiefly a horrible miss when clean through on Ward in stoppage time, that means Gers ended up with nothing.

Beginning of the end for Tav

The end of the Tavernier era is upon as after the Ibrox skipper announced this week he’ll be leaving when his deal expires this summer.

The news has sparked a heated debate on whether the 34-year-old should be regarded as a true Ibrox icon or not.

His backers point to a remarkable 144 goals from right back, the critics argue a haul of just three major trophies in 11 years should rule him out from a place alongside the club’s proper legends.

The Ibrox crowd made their feelings know long before kick-off as they chanted his name loudly during the warm-ups and you’d have to suspect that with time, those with harsher opinions will soften their stance and come to remember him with fondness.

Adding one final winners’ medal to the collection would certainly ensure he heads out the door with further warm applause – but that’s looking more and more remote unless he can find a way to lead his team to victory against both Hearts and Celtic in their next two outings.

Rangers fresh bout of travel sickness

In 2019 it was Tenerife, a year later Dubai.

Well it looks like you can now add Marbella to the list of destinations that have left the Light Blues feeling green around the gills upon their return.

Rohl was hoping last week’s warm-weather trip to southern Spain would solidify the spirt in his title-chasing camp.

But yet again Gers’ soft centre was left brutally exposed.

It was so reminiscent of the mid-season breaks embarked upon by Steven Gerrard’s squad when they looked ready to mount a title challenge only for their Premiership bid to fade quicker than their tans.

Well Kingmakers take their first scalp

With no wins in their five games before this one, Well’s outside shot at a title bid was already over.

But it’s long been said they could end up being the team that helps decide the final outcome of the crown – and they’ve certainly put a huge dent in Rangers’ bid for the crown.

Emmanuel Longelo of Motherwell celebrates

This was a win they thoroughly deserved, outplaying Rangers and taking the big chances when they fell.

Askou Berthel’s men dominated the PFA Scotland team of the Year with five Fir Park players making the XI voted for by their fellow pros.

And don’t be surprised if the Fir Park are well represented when the nominations for the player union’s individual prizes are announced on Monday.