Motherwell

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

It'd be remiss of me not to have a fair share of Motherwell players in my team following their mighty-impressive victory at Ibrox.

It could prove to be an important one too as the Well head back into the top six.

Three of Michael Wimmer's steely men have made my side.

Dominic Thompson was full of energy and a key part of a great team display from Motherwell at Ibrox.

Tom Sparrow showed great enthusiasm on the right-hand side. He scored the second against Rangers and epitomised the excellent overall showing as Motherwell went toe-to-toe with Barry Ferguson's side to emerge with all three points.

Callum Slattery was fantastic throughout in midfield against Rangers. Good with and without the ball.

Watch all the highlights from Motherwell's 2-1 win at Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.

Available to UK users only.

Image source, SNS

Andy Halliday believes Motherwell met "fire with fire" and followed manager Michael Wimmer's game plan "perfectly" in their win over Rangers on Saturday - almost exactly a year after their last win at Ibrox.

Wimmer's side sailed into a 2-0 lead and held on after Cyriel Dessers got one back for the hosts.

"It's a bold strategy, Motherwell coming to Ibrox and high-pressing, trying to play through the thirds," Halliday admitted. "A lot of people might feel you could be on a hiding to nothing if you do that.

"But I thought the boys followed the game plan perfectly. We spoke in the changing room about how Rangers are going to expect to start fast. They've got a returning captain [Barry Ferguson], someone that's really respected here, you're going to expect a reaction from them.

"We tried to meet fire with fire, we started fast. It's not even just the result, it's the performance. We thoroughly deserved the three points."

Wimmer has only been in place for three games but has won two of them, turning the Steelmen's fortunes around, and Halliday was quick to praise his new gaffer.

"The manager had a game plan and it's up to us as players to try and stick to that as much as possible," Halliday said. "There was key areas that we looked at out of possession, trying to press them in certain areas of the pitch. In possession was key too, if you come to Ibrox and turn over possession, you're going to be defending for 90 minutes.

"The second goal was the exact pattern we worked on this week, trying to steal the ball on one side of the pitch and work it quickly to the other side and exploit the spaces. The second goal is as good a goal as you're going to see this weekend. It was designed straight off the training ground."

"We won here last year, at the end of last season, which was a fantastic result. This one today felt that wee bit more special given how well the boys played."

Halliday, a former Rangers midfielder, also commented on Ferguson's appointment and insisted he thinks it will work out for his old club.

"Rangers have got quality players and Barry and the guys will get it right given time. They've not had a lot of time on the training ground. They've not had the same amount of time on the grass [as we've had]. It was up to us to bring our 'A game' and Rangers to be off it a wee bit."

We asked for your views on Motherwell's 2-1 win against Rangers.

Here's what some of you said:

Eddie: They talk about giving homegrown managers a chance but the last two games shows you foreign coaches are on a different level. Great win and everyone is giving 100 per cent.

Fraser: When we play Rangers or Celtic - with historical stats - it's always a nervy one, a game that most 'Well fans just hope we put up a fight and do ourselves justice and we did that, there was composure - using our midfield, playing through, tracking and pressing. Proud of the team. Well done, let's keep it going.

Norrie: Superb as my old dad would say. Pressed well in the first half and a deserved the two goal lead. Worked hard second half and substitutes helped keep up the energy. Hung in there for a deserved win.

Ross: It's truly amazing what a change of manager and tactics can do to lift a club, its players and supporters. It's early days but it's a really positive start for Michael Wimmer at our club. We were well worthy of our three points, the only way is up as they say.

Ryan: What a manager Wimmer is. Night and day the tactics under previous who shall not be named.

Alan: The new manager has instilled a sense of positivity and it's producing results! A well-deserved win from a team that now believes they can win matches regardless of the opposition. We now have momentum so let's push for a top six place before the split and hopefully qualify for Europe.

Image source, SNS

• Rangers have scored in 25 of their 29 games, only Celtic (26) have scored goals in more matches in the Premiership this season.

• Cyriel Dessers has scored 11 goals in the Premiership this season (1 in this game), no Rangers player has more.

• Václav Černý has created 64 chances this season, more than any other player in the Premiership.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Motherwell were hanging on a little come the end but this was a brilliant win.

They had a real structure. They were brave on the ball. They showed quality at key moments and were clinical, for the most part, when given the opportunity.

Michael Wimmer talked about having to win duals before the game and they fought for everything in pursuit of the points.

The concession of the goal was down to an individual error and for most of the match they held Rangers very well, limiting clear-cut chances.

Rangers fell short but Motherwell played a big part in that.

They will take a lot of encouragement from how they performed in delivering a second win on the trot that will do wonders for their top six hopes.

Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer told BBC Scotland: "We had to change the atmosphere in the stadium and I think the guys did really well.

"The subs did really well and we defended until the end.

"This is something I want to see from the guys on the pitch that we are brave, that we have courage on the ball, that we find the right balance in possession.

"I think we were good in pressing so I'm very proud of the guys.

"I have to say it was a very tough game. We had chances to make the third goal, especially in the first half. In the end, a little bit of luck, and also we deserved to win."

Image source, SNS

Two Ibrox wins in two seasons.

Motherwell were well worth their half-time lead and held on with impressive grit and determination once Rangers reduced the deficit.

Let us know your thoughts on a second victory on the bounce for new boss Michael Wimmer.

Image source, SNS

Tom Sparrow spurned a great chance before knocking Motherwell into a 2-0 lead at Ibrox with a composed strike.

The 22-year-old was a blur of industry on the right flank, putting in a power of running to help his team in attack and defence.

Image source, SNS

Rangers quartet John Souttar, Oscar Cortes, Leon Balogun and Dujon Sterling all returned to training this week. Neraysho Kasanwirjo remains out.

Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Marvin Kaleta are pushing for returns for Motherwell.

Shane Blaney, Sam Nicholson (both knee), Jack Vale (Achilles), Steve Seddon (ankle), Ross Callachan (hamstring), Paul McGinn (thigh), Zach Robinson (Achilles) and goalkeepers Archie Mair and Aston Oxborough (both hand) remain out.

Image source, SNS

Motherwell goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe says new manager Michael Wimmer has brought a "much more positive outlook" to the club.

The Steelmen arrested a run of seven games without a win by beating Dundee in midweek on Wimmer's home debut and second game in charge after replacing Stuart Kettlewell.

"Obviously it's been a tough time. I think the manager coming in and giving that real positive impact has just settled us down a bit," Balcombe said.

"Wednesday was massive for us. It's good to get that first three points after what we've been through, but hopefully it's just a start."

Wimmer is now the second-newest manager in the top flight, with Barry Ferguson, who is now in the Ibrox dugout, next up for the German and his side in Govan on Saturday.

"The manager has been really positive and is just trying to keep all the boys in that same sort of mindset. So definitely upwards and onwards," added Balcombe.

"It's a much more positive outlook. He wants us to play football and not go long all the time, which is what I suit anyway, so I prefer to do that."

Balcombe, 25, had an unsettled start to the year but is hopeful he can now kick on at Fir Park.

He had started 2025 on loan at St Mirren and briefly returned to Brentford before moving on loan to Motherwell, where he played under three managers in his first four games, including caretaker Stephen Frail.

"It's been a bit of a whirlwind, but it's football and I'm just looking to play games and help out the team," he added. "It's football and these sort of things happen.

"I've played under four or five gaffers in a span of six months, so this is nothing to me. It's just how football works and hopefully now the boys can really get around the gaffer and going forward we can get that top six like we want."

Image source, SNS

• This will be Barry Ferguson's first home league game as Rangers manager. The Ibrox side have won each of the past eight occasions a manager has taken charge of his first home league match since Stuart McCall drew 1-1 with Livingston in the Scottish Championship in March 2015. The last to lose his first such match was Tommy McLean in November 1983 (2-1 v Celtic).

• Rangers have lost just one of their past 60 league meetings with Motherwell (W43 D16), a 2-1 reverse at home in March 2024.

• Motherwell have only won once in their past 40 away league games against Rangers (D7 L32), losing their first such visit this season 2-1 in August.

• Motherwell have lost their past three away league matches, last losing four on the bounce in December 2017 (run of five).

• James Tavernier is one away from his 500th appearance for Rangers in all competitions. Since his debut for the club in July 2015, the right-back has featured in 92.4% of Rangers' matches (499/540).

Image source, SNS

Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer admitted his team will "have to suffer" at times at Ibrox on Saturday but wants them to be brave on the ball.

The Fir Park side go into the Rangers clash off the back of Wimmer's first win in charge and the German is eager to bring the "self-confidence" of that 2-1 victory over Dundee to Glasgow.

"It's a big challenge on Saturday," Wimmer said. "But I like it, to compete with the best teams, it makes us better. And I like this challenge.

"It's not easy, but it's easier to drive to Ibrox with a win after Wednesday. But it's a great team, they're in the last 16 of the Europa League, which says everything. But we will bring our performance and who knows what is possible?

"I think there will be many minutes we have to suffer. But this is football, it's always like this against a great team."

Rangers were stung early by Kilmarnock on Wednesday night, going 2-0 down before roaring back for a 4-2 win in Barry Ferguson's first game in charge.

"If we are good out of possession, perhaps we can win the ball, and then we have good counter-attacks," Wimmer added. "We can be dangerous in these scenarios.

"But I also want to see that my team is brave in possession, that they also have the courage to have possession. Because if you never have the ball, it's not fun and it's too much suffering."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Michael Wimmer wants his Motherwell side to play with energy and desire. That was his message from day one.

While we didn't see much of it in his first game in charge against Dundee United last weekend, it was a different story last night against United's city rivals.

The intensity, the press, the energy - it was there in bucketloads.

It wasn't just the passion from the Motherwell players that was on show. In his managerial home debut, Wimmer was fully invested, cutting an animated figure in his technical area.

He was extremely vocal, throwing his arms about with every kick of the ball, and the players seemed to respond positively to his spirited involvement.

It's still early days for Wimmer and even centre-back Dan Casey, on a high from scoring two brilliant goals against Dundee, said no one should be getting carried away… just yet.

But that win and performance was warmly welcomed by those inside Fir Park and supporters left the ground with a spring in their step.

Little wonder, as it ended a run of six league defeats. A win at any cost would have been welcomed, but it was the manner of the win that was extremely well received.

After months of negativity around style of play and results, you could sense a real feeling of positivity around the club.

Wimmer told me pre-match he's still building a picture of his squad, but on last night's evidence he surely can't be far away from knowing his starting XI and most effective shape as Saturday's trip to face Rangers looms.

Sportscene pundits Michael Stewart and Richard Foster analyse a Dundee penalty shout for a potential handball by Motherwell's Stephen O'Donnell. (Available to UK users only)

Image source, SNS

Dan Casey was determined to "stop the rut" of Motherwell's six straight defeats.

He did exactly that with an impactful display at both ends of the pitch in the 2-1 win over Dundee.

The defender was solid at the back, making six tackles - the most of any player on the pitch - and winning them all. He also won possession four times and contributed eight clearances.

And when it came to attacking, he excelled. From four touches in the opposition box, the Irishman had three shots - all on target - and scored a match-winning double. Not half bad for a centre-half from an xG of just 0.31.

"It was full of emotions," Casey told BBC Scotland.

"I think it was a big night for the club. I'm just glad I could help the team and now I think it has to be a starting point for the rest of the season."

Casey's heroics made it a winning Fir Park bow for new manager Michael Wimmer and the 27-year-old praised the German's calm and methodical approach.

"I think he's been brilliant, he's been very clear with his gameplan. High intensity, and I think you could see that in the first half and possession keeping the ball," Casey added.

"His details are very good. He's quite calm on his approach. He'll pull you over and he'll be very clear with you. We all enjoy working with him and hopefully we can kick on."

We asked you for your thoughts on Michael Wimmer's winning home debut as Motherwell boss, a 2-1 victory over Dundee.

Here's what some of you said:

James: Vast improvement in the first half. Closing down, one-touch passing, not many long balls. Second half, we fell out of it, but great to get a winner.

Alan: A bad team do not accumulate 31 points in this league without some merit. We really lack a striker who can score regularly but are indebted to defenders and midfielders to plug that gap. Give the new manager some slack and allow him to continue with the high-pressing, attacking style which produced last night's result.

D: Great performance full of energy and intensity under Wimmer. A great style of play that was pleasing to see, much different to the rubbish hoof-ball we saw under Stuart Kettlewell. That's a game we'd have lost under the previous management, very excited by the future under Wimmer.

Norrie: Just looked at the stats - 14 shots, six on target. Probably not far off the last eight games in total! Onwards and upwards. No point in belittling the former management, the stats in one game say enough. Let the team now prove they are good enough to stay in the Premiership.

Eddie: Massive improvement from the previous manager - night and day. We tired in the second half but everyone gave 100%.

Image source, SNS

• Dundee have lost their last five games in the Premiership, their last longer losing streak was from 4 December 2021 to 18 January 2022, a run of six matches.

• Motherwell attempted 14 shots in this match, higher than their season average of 9.8 in the Premiership.

• Simon Murray has scored 10 goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Dundee player.

• Motherwell have a record of W7, D2, L1 when leading at half-time in the Premiership this season.

• Dundee have conceded 13 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Ross County (16) and Hibernian (15) have conceded more in the Premiership this season.

Watch the best of the action as Motherwell beat Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.

Available in UK only

Defender Dan Casey scored twice as Motherwell won for the first time in eight matches to beat freefalling Dundee on new boss Michael Wimmer's home debut.

The visitors' fifth consecutive Scottish Premiership defeat leaves them four points from safety and just three points off bottom spot.

Casey's first came after 12 minutes when he bulleted in a header from an Andy Halliday corner.

The Irishman was left completely unmarked in the box and should have added a near identical goal just a few minutes later from another set-piece.

Tony Docherty's side struggled to compete in the first half, but a change of formation allowed them greater control in the second period.

They equalised with 11 minutes to play when Simon Murray tapped in his 15th goal of the season, but the game was not level for long.

Motherwell restored their lead six minutes later with centre back Casey volleying in from Harry Paton's cross to complete an unlikely double.

Let us know your thoughts here., external

Image source, SNS

Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer: "I'm very proud of the guys, they did really well and I think it was a brilliant first half.

"In the second half we saw a little bit of a lack of energy and dropped too deep.

"But in the end, it was a fantastic win from everyone together, the fans pushed us too right until the last minute.

"It's important for the confidence to get a result. I see their faces now in the locker room, they are all happy.

"Now it's not easy, but it's more easy to keep going and keep working because this has increased the confidence.

"We are together, nobody wins alone. We have to stay together and work together."