Ferguson strike keeps Rangers on title course

Football

Captain Barry Ferguson kept Rangers on target for the league title with a goal against Motherwell last night

Rangers inspired by league snub fury

Rangers 1 Motherwell 0

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Rangers' quadruple quest remains alive and kicking thanks to their captain Barry Ferguson's late, solitary goal at Ibrox last night. The fate of the SPL title is in their own hands: the gap on Celtic is down to four points, with two games remaining in hand.

"That's the type of tight game we're going to get between now and the end of the season," said Walter Smith, the Rangers manager. Last night's match was the 62nd for Rangers this season. Six remain, in three competitions, up to and including a Scottish Cup final against Queen of the South on 24 May.

"In the second half we had territorial pressure but maybe lacked spark in the final third. I'm delighted Barry got the goal," Smith said. "We keep lifting ourselves and I'm proud of my team."

Next up is an SPL home game on Saturday against Dundee United, then the Uefa Cup final against Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester next Wednesday, then three SPL games, all away, at Motherwell, St Mirren and Aberdeen, on 17, 19 and 22 May.

Celtic have just two league games left, at home to Hibernian on Sunday, then away at Dundee United on 22 May – or Super Thursday as it will become to whichever of the Old Firm celebrate the title that day, and to whichever of Motherwell and Dundee United secure third place and Uefa Cup football.

"It was a big result for Rangers," Smith's counterpart, Mark McGhee, said. "I wasn't surprised at their energy and effort, despite the amount of games they've had to play. If they keep that up, they'll win their remaining games and the title."

Motherwell's chase for Europe next season made this match important for them, and the result all the more bitter for McGhee. "Unacceptable," he said of the way his team conceded Rangers' set-piece winner. Ferguson met a David Weir nod-on from Davis' 74th-minute corner and volleyed emphatically home.

Smith started with three forwards, which he joked was "too many" to give the former Rangers' manager – and current Zenit coach – Dick Advocaat, any hint of Rangers' plans for next week. Rangers have started with one recognised striker per match in Europe this season, at most.

Rangers poured forward from the off, their best first-half chance a Weir header. It was palmed on to the bar, and Nacho Novo could only smack the rebound into the side netting.

There was a long lull until Motherwell failed to capitalise on Stephen Hughes' pass into an unmarked box, then the hosts' Jean-Claude Darcheville fired wide on the cusp of the interval.

Rangers restarted at high velocity. Weir leapt to head Steven Davis' corner but the ball flashed safe. Carlos Cuellar, Scotland's Footballer of the Year, made a clearance from deep in his own half and Darcheville ran the ball forward and snapped in a cross-shot, but Brian McLean hoofed it away.

Darcheville controlled a ball on his chest, and punted it forward. Kirk Broadfoot earned a corner, but Ferguson, collecting on the left of Motherwell's box, blasted skyward. He made amends.

Rangers (4-4-2): Alexander; Broadfoot, Cuellar, Weir, Whittaker; Davis, Ferguson, Thomson, Novo; Darcheville (Adam, 76), Boyd (Cousin, 86). Substitutes not used: G Smith (gk), Dailly, Lennon, Emslie, McMillan.

Motherwell (3-5-2): G Smith; McLean, Craigan, Reynolds; Lasley (Smith, 75), Hughes, Malcolm, Fitzpatrick, Lappin; McGarry (Clarkson, 60), McCormack (Porter, 75). Substitutes not used: Daniels (gk), Hammell, Murphy, Meechan.

Referee: C Richmond.