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Kenny Miller
Kenny Miller, right, celebrates with Rangers team-mate James Tavernier after scoring the winning goal against Motherwell at Ibrox. Photograph: Ian Rutherford/PA
Kenny Miller, right, celebrates with Rangers team-mate James Tavernier after scoring the winning goal against Motherwell at Ibrox. Photograph: Ian Rutherford/PA

Kenny Miller last-gasp strike gives Rangers victory over Motherwell

This article is more than 7 years old

Kenny Miller’s stoppage-time strike gave Rangers a dramatic Scottish Premiership home win over Motherwell.

Mark McGhee claimed Motherwell would not have it as tough as they did while shipping five goals against Celtic in the Betfred Cup two weeks ago and he was right as Rangers toiled to find a way through. His side even took an early lead when Scott McDonald tapped home from close range. But Miller scored late on after Harry Forrester had equalised.

“We lacked penetration in the first half and conceded a poor goal but the second half was much better,” Mark Warburton said. “Thankfully we got our reward in the end. How concerning is the performance? We can turn around and say we were below bar but got three points. We’ll take that.”

Both managers went with unchanged lineups, although there was disappointment among home fans that the £1.5m signing Joe Garner had not arrived in time from Preston to be able to play.

Their mood did not improve when the action got under way as Rangers failed to assert themselves. Their only real opening of the first half came 12 minutes in and even then it was a Motherwell mistake that allowed Miller to pounce on Lionel Ainsworth’s errant backpass The former Scotland striker found himself clean through on Craig Samson but blazed his shot.

And with Rangers’ standards slipping, a Motherwell side showing no fear were more than eager to take advantage. There was a warning when Ainsworth was allowed to collect a long punt from Samson on the edge of the Rangers penalty area before firing wide.

Rangers would not be so lucky 60 seconds later. Marvin Johnson drove down the left flank before cutting back on to his right foot to cross. His delivery bounced off Rob Kiernan’s leg before dropping to the unmarked McDonald to tap home from two yards.

Rangers were booed off at half- time but there was more urgency about them when they returned. Andy Halliday twice failed to convert after getting on the end of fine deliveries from James Tavernier and Lee Wallace, while the lapses at the back were still evident and only Wes Foderingham’s reactions kept McDonald from scoring again as he palmed the striker’s volley away.

Danny Wilson headed over before Warburton acted, throwing on Joe Dodoo and Niko Kranjcar as he sought some added impetus from meandering Rangers.

And that is what the Rangers manager got as Kranjcar lobbed a sublime ball over the top for Miller as he galloped into the box. Samson rushed from his line to save but could do nothing as Forrester tucked away the rebound.

Motherwell had been right in Rangers faces in the first half but now it was the hosts snapping into tackles. The second goal proved hard to come by and there was a reminder of Motherwell’s threat when Foderingham had to push away Johnson’s 20-yard effort.

It appeared Rangers were set for more home frustration after their opening day draw with Hamilton but then Miller struck to send the Ibrox crowd into raptures.

Joey Barton robbed McDonald on the halfway line before feeding Kranjcar. His layoff was fluffed by the Rangers substitute Michael O’Halloran but Miller made no mistake as he rammed home the winner at the back post.

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