Rangers have settled into the game, winning the the first corner and it looks like there are some nerves there in the home defence.

However, the danger is cleared.

Ouch!published at 5mins

5mins

Motherwell 0-0 Rangers

Motherwell are applying the early pressure and Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara is already feeling the effects of a late challenge from Devante Cole.

A bit of loose control from the Finland international and the big Englishman catches his ankle.

Neil McCann
Former Hearts & Rangers winger on BBC Sportsound

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson said pre-match that Devante Cole had been preferred to James Scott because the Englishman's pace could trouble Rangers' defence.

The on-loan Wigan Athletic man was on the bench last weekend because he had been suffering from illness.

Rangers get the game under way in their traditional blue, with Motherwell in their normal claret and amber.

Conditions are certainly a lot more pleasant than yesterday, with even a bit of sunshine replacing driving rain.

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson tells BBC Radio Scotland: "When you've won three games without conceding a goal, obviously it's a step up to play against Rangers. We are going to try and take the game to them.

"A lot of teams sit back against us now, Rangers certainly won't do that, so it should be an exciting game.

"Our league position and form suggests we are a half-decent side. I've watched a lot of Rangers games this season - they are a very, very good side."

Here come the teams into a busy and noisy Fir Park...

Despite their League Cup final defeat, there is a feeling of satisfaction at Ibrox about the direction they are going under Steven Gerrard.

It led to new contracts being announced this week for two experienced players - goalkeeper Allan McGregor and midfielder Steven Davis.

Even more important was the extension of Gerrard's own deal to 2024, mirroring the new contract given to Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool as the Anfield club continue to eye their former midfielder as the German's successor.

On current form, Motherwell may fancy their chances against Rangers, but a quick look at their recent record against the Ibrox club suggests that Steven Gerrard's team may hold the advantage.

In their last 10 games in all competitions against Rangers, Stephen Robinson's side have won just one - a Scottish League Cup semi-final in which two goals from Louis Moult won the day at Hampden.

Image source, BBC Sport

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard speaking to Sky Sports: "If we get chances today, we must take them and get the game out of Motherwell's reach as soon as possible.

"It's never as easy as that, especially at a place like this with the players they've got. They've improved massively from last year and it will be an interesting game."

The effects of Sunday's League Cup defeat looked to be taking its toll as Rangers lost a late equaliser against Young Boys, but they still progressed to knock-out stage of the Europa League for the first time but have now gone three games without a win.

They face another tough test against a Motherwell side who started the weekend in third place, are on a high after three consecutive wins and are looking to go back above Aberdeen, who edged a point above them after their win over Hamilton Academical yesterday.

However, Rangers are themselves unbeaten in seen away games.

Image source, SNS

John Rankin
BBC Scotland summariser

Neil McCann
Former Hearts & Rangers winger on BBC Sportsound

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has been explaining his decision to name an unchanged XI to Sky Sports.

"I don't think anyone deserves to lose their place on recent performances," he says. "They all deserve to play and they've all recovered well.

"I spoke to them all individually and they feel fine, so it will be interesting to see how we start the game and where our energy levels take us, but the subs will have to be ready today because we might need a bit of back up."

Image source, SNS

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson also goes for consistency of selection as he makes only one change from the side that beat Hearts 1-0 at home last weekend.

On-loan Wigan Athletic forward Devante Cole replaced James Scott midway through the second half against the Edinburgh strugglers and the Englishman retains his place, with the Scot on the bench.

Image source, SNS

Coverage of today's games is beginning on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.

Richard Gordon is your host, with expert analysis from former Rangers players Neil McCann and Billy Dodds, former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner and Clyde midfielder John Rankin.

Liam McLeod is the man providing live commentary at Fir Park, with Rob Maclean doing the business at Celtic Park.

Image source, SNS

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard sticks by the same starting XI that drew 1-1 at home to Young Boys in their final Europa League group game on Thursday.

That's despite any fears he might have had about fatigue, whether physical or mental, after a testing seven days in which they lost last Sunday's League Cup final 1-0 to Celtic despite dominating the match then endured a late equaliser from the Swiss that prevented the Ibrox side finishing as winners of their group.

It means Rangers are without influential Nothern Ireland midfielder Steven Davis for a second game with a foot injury, as well as Filip Helander, with the Sweden defender waiting for the results of a scan on the foot injury he suffered at Hampden.

Centre-half George Edmundson has recovered from illness sufficiently to sit on the bench.

Image source, SNS

Motherwell's preparations will not have been helped by the news that broke last night about manager Stephen Robinson being arrested and charged on Friday after what Police Scotland described as "a disturbance" on a night out in Edinburgh. The 45-year-old has issued a statement denying "the charges against me and any wrongdoing".

Image source, BBC Sport

Motherwell: Gillespie, Grimshaw, Mugabi, Gallagher, Carroll, Donnelly, Campbell, Polworth, Cole, Hylton, Long.

Substitutes: Carson, Tait, Hartley, Seedorf, Scott, MacIver, O'Hara.

Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier, Katic, Goldson, Barisic, Jack, Kamara, Aribo, Arfield, Kent, Morelos.

Substitutes: Foderingham, Edmundson, Halliday, Polster, Barker, Stewart, Defoe.

Image source, BBC Sport