Rangers 2-1 Motherwell: Hosts come from behind to keep up pace with Celtic

Rangers survived a scare to go back level with Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic by coming from behind to beat Motherwell at Ibrox.

Devante Cole put the visitors ahead early on with James Tavernier then missing from the spot for the hosts.

Jermain Defoe eventually levelled before the break, with Filip Helander's header sealing victory.

After Celtic's 4-0 rout of Aberdeen, Rangers sit three goals behind in second as Motherwell stay fourth.

While holding the bulk of chances and possession, Steven Gerrard's side were made to work by a Lanarkshire who have not won in Govan in a league match for 22 years.

• Reaction & how it happened

Frustrated hosts get job done

Rangers made four changes following their Europa League draw in Porto with Joe Aribo, Scott Arfield, Greg Stewart and Defoe coming in and Ryan Jack, Ryan Kent, Glen Kamara and Alfredo Morelos dropping out.

Motherwell handed Bevis Mugabi a first start as they switched to a three-man central defence. Their wide men were sacrificed but Christopher Long joined Cole up front.

Rangers were restricted to speculative efforts before Stephen Robinson's men took the lead after a move down their left. Allan Campbell helped the ball on to Cole just inside the box and he turned and hit a snap shot which wrong-footed Allan McGregor.

Motherwell continued to frustrate their hosts but had a let-off when the ball was flicked on to Peter Hartley's hand inside the box. Referee Andrew Dallas also ignored another, more hopeful, claim when Liam Grimshaw blocked a cross.

Rangers finally got their penalty in the 37th minute, although Liam Polworth reacted angrily towards Tavernier after being adjudged to have brought him down. The Rangers skipper sent Mark Gillespie the wrong way but the ball bounced off a post.

Barker went off with a shoulder injury just after firing wide of the near post from a tight angle as Kent came on with Motherwell looking like holding on to their lead going into the break.

However, when Steven Davis fired a 25-yard strike straight at Gillespie just before the break, the Motherwell goalkeeper opted to punch away and Defoe returned the ball inside the near post first time.

Rangers brought on Morelos who soon set up a chance for Defoe with Motherwell stretched but the former England striker missed his kick. Hartley did well to put off Morelos as Gillespie saved from the Colombian.

But the goal soon came when Helander threw himself at Tavernier's corner to head into the net from around the penalty spot.