Nedid Bajrami's deflected strike completed Rangers' comebackPA

Nedim Bajrami's deflected strike completed Rangers' comeback

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Holders Rangers staged a second-half comeback to beat Motherwell and secure a Scottish League Cup final place against Celtic, with Nedim Bajrami's late deflected strike eventually decisive.

Motherwell threatened to heap more pressure on manager Philippe Clement after a run of poor results.

Defeat at Pittodrie in midweek brought intense criticism as Rangers fell nine points behind both Celtic and Aberdeen in the Premiership table after just 10 games.

Fans demanded a reaction and, while Rangers had the better of the opening stages, they fell behind when former Ibrox midfielder Andy Halliday stretched to volley past Jack Butland after Jefte misread Steve Seddon's wonderful cross from the left.

Halliday's celebrations were muted against his former side as everyone else in claret and amber went wild at the prospect of a famous win.

They initially held firm as Rangers failed to mount the sort of onslaught you might expect. Connor Barron went close from outside the box but the intense boos that greeted Nick Walsh's half-time whistle spoke volumes.

The second-half turnaround was as swift as it was needed for Rangers. Cyriel Dessers, who earlier missed a close-range sitter, changed the game when he clipped home Barron's centre to end his run of eight games without a goal.

From there, Rangers took a grip, showing more intensity and creativity to forge out clear chances.

Jefte was superbly denied by Aston Oxborough, who diverted the Brazilian's volley on to the post. James Tavernier blazed over, Bajrami could not covert from close range and Oxborough again brilliantly denied Vaclav Cerny as Motherwell defended for their lives.

But after good work from Cerny on the right, Bajrami's deflected effort deceived Oxborough as Clement's side did enough to avoid another damaging result.

There was still time for the influential Cerny to strike an upright as Rangers saw out a much-needed win ahead of their return to Europa League action this week.

Motherwell dream fades after spirited show

At half-time, the chances of Motherwell inflicting another League Cup defeat on their opponents looked a more than reasonable prospect. They delivered a 2-0 semi-final win in 2017 and led here until just after the break.

The timing of Rangers goal was so damaging, though, as at that point their fans were on their back and the longer that went the more benefit it would have brought. Rangers were rocking but responded.

Stuart Kettlewell is doing a remarkable job on limited resources and this display showed what his side are all about. They came close again, have quality in their ranks and a structure that makes them effective and dangerous at times.

They were led by example by 18-year-old captain Lennon Miller. He again showed flashes of his undoubted ability but there were a number who shone, including Oxborough, who delivered vital saves at vital times.

Motherwell may feel this was a missed opportunity and will be frustrated at the misfortune at the decisive goal. It may feel slightly hollow but they can take enormous credit and belief into their upcoming fixtures after a spirited show.

Rangers avoid catastrophe after strong reaction

Rangers badly needed a reaction after recent turmoil. The result was everything and they got it.

After conceding, though, the reaction seemed muted unlike that of their fans at half-time, who were enraged at events unfolding in front of them.

With Motherwell ahead, all the pressure was firmly on Clement's side and ratcheting up by the second. Another loss here may have been very telling.

The timing of Dessers' goal, just after the break, was vital. It released so much of that negativity and the second-half display was a vast improvement.

It would be hard to mount an argument that progression to meet Celtic was not deserved given the amount of chances created and their grip of the ball. But they will need to be better in the final.

Who knows if this will prove to be a turning point in what has been an early-season rollercoaster for Rangers? They need consistency of results and this was a big one in the current context.

What they said

This needs to be 'reference game' for Rangers - Clement

Rangers manager Philippe Clement: "I'm happy we are in the final because that was our goal. We had a great moment last season winning this cup, so we know how great this feeling is.

"We started the game well, and I felt some nervousness, some doubts in half-time because we conceded the goal. We spoke about what went well, and to raise our tempo and our level in the second half to break the wall. That's what they did."

Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "The overriding emotion is I'm disappointed. I'm gutted for the players and the supporters.

"I thought we put ourselves in a really good position. For us to get better, there's going to have to be moments where there's better quality."

'No excuses' from Kettlewell

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