Rangers 1-3 Motherwell: Ian Baraclough hails best performance

Motherwell won at Ibrox for the first time since 1997

Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough is predicting "some scary moments" in the Premiership play-off final second leg after beating Rangers 3-1 at Ibrox.

"This tie is not over," he told BBC Scotland. "Nobody is getting ahead of themselves. We need to put in another 95-minute shift.

"That's probably the best performance in my time and we'll need to produce another one on Sunday.

"We'll need to be controlled and calm to make sure we get the job done."

Motherwell, who finished 11th in the Premiership, have taken a big step towards preserving the top flight status they have enjoyed since 1985.

The Steelmen men were doughty in defence and a menace on the counter-attack.

Lee Erwin and Stephen McManus scored first-half goals, with Lionel Ainsworth finishing off a slick move early in the second period before Darren McGregor grabbed a late goal for the hosts.

"It was a fantastic performance," enthused Baraclough. "We came here with a game plan; we knew we could hurt them with our pace on the counter-attack.

"The players have been magnificent all week, concentrating on the job and I knew there was a performance there.

"Everyone showed what they can do.

"We knew they would pour people forward, the crowd dictates that. We just had to be patient and pick the right passes.

"We've been playing 4-4-2 of late and we've gone and put a different shape in. The lads have been brilliant, taking that on board.

"We've been strong at home, unbeaten for seven games and we can score goals, we've got that threat."

Stephen McManus nodded in Motherwell's second goal at Ibrox

Defender McManus, who scored with a strong header from a free-kick, was also at pains to stress that the tie is only at the halfway stage ahead of Sunday's return at Fir Park, recalling Hibernian's relegation last season after a 2-0 away win in the first leg of the final.

"We've given ourselves a half-decent chance," he said. "We know it's going to be tough.

"We know how good Rangers are and Hibs were in this situation against Hamilton last year.

"The tie is still open. Rangers will come to our place and fancy themselves.

"We knew we were capable of this performance. We've let ourselves down and let the fans down over the course of the season but if we stay up it's great for everyone associated with the club."