Rangers' campaign for the Scottish Premiership crown suffered a significant setback on the evening they hosted Motherwell at Ibrox, slipping to third place after a disappointing loss. Manager Danny Röhl had entered the post‑split phase needing a victory to stay ahead of Celtic, but the match began poorly when Lukas Fadinger found the net early, silencing the home crowd with a swift opener. The situation worsened before the half‑hour mark when Emmanuel Longelo added a second goal, tapping the ball in at the back post to give the visitors a 2-0 lead.
At the interval, Röhl made decisive changes, reshaping his side from the initial 4‑2‑2‑2 formation to a more attacking 4‑3‑4 setup. The tactical shift seemed to bear fruit almost immediately.
In the 51st minute, Youssef Chermiti reduced the deficit, and shortly thereafter Nicolas Raskin joined the effort, restoring parity for the home side in the 70th minute. The stadium erupted as the Light Blues levelled the score, with the Belgian midfielder delivering the decisive touch on the equaliser. However, Motherwell were not finished.
In the dying moments of regular time, Longelo struck again, this time his shot ricocheting off defender Emmanuel Fernandez's head before finding the back of the net. The deflection proved enough to hand Motherwell a 3-2 victory, marking their first league win in six matches and pushing Rangers further down the table. The defeat leaves Rangers on 69 points, now four points adrift of leaders Hearts with four games left in the season.
Motherwell, sitting in fourth place, continue to chase a European qualification spot for the upcoming campaign. The loss is especially painful after Rangers' dramatic comeback against Falkirk in their previous fixture, where they overturned a two‑goal deficit to win 6-3.
This time, the Steelmen were unable to replicate that resilience. Röhl's halftime overhaul saw the team move from a 4‑2‑2‑2 to his preferred 4‑3‑3, a change that produced an immediate impact. Chermiti's goal narrowed the gap, and Raskin's involvement helped level the match, with the Belgian midfielder delivering the final touch on the equaliser. Yet, the late deflected strike from Longelo, redirected by Fernandez, sealed Motherwell's win and underscored the fine margins that can decide a title race.
In the aftermath, Röhl addressed Sky Sports News, emphasizing his determination to keep the squad motivated. "My job is to go forward, lead them, I will lift them," he said, acknowledging the disappointment but urging belief.
"We can be disappointed, but we lift them again, I give them the belief. It's not over, this is the part in this split, you have to carry on. It makes no sense to think it's over. If there's the final whistle at the end of the season, then it's over.
My team did well so far and I have no doubts that we can do again, to take four wins, but it's not easy, we know this, and with this point we go forward. We keep believing in what we are doing and we have the chance to turn the next game back to our side." Looking ahead, Rangers face a crucial away match against Hearts on May 4, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
That fixture could prove pivotal in determining whether the title hopes are revived or permanently dashed. The club will need to regroup quickly, tighten their defensive lapses, and find a way to convert chances more efficiently if they hope to reclaim a top‑two position.
Beyond the immediate implications for the league table, the result raises broader questions about Rangers' tactical flexibility and squad depth. The early goals exposed vulnerabilities in the defensive line, particularly in dealing with quick, incisive runs from opponents like Fadinger and Longelo. The second‑half resurgence demonstrated that the team possesses the attacking talent to compete, but consistency remains elusive. Fans and pundits alike will be scrutinising the upcoming weeks, assessing whether Röhl's adjustments can sustain momentum and whether the players can maintain composure under pressure.
The Scottish Premiership race is tightening, and every point gained or lost will have amplified significance as the season draws to a close. For supporters seeking additional coverage, live updates, and highlights, the Scottish Premiership offers streaming options without a contract, as well as free highlight reels. The league's official website provides a real‑time table, and fans can stay connected through Sky Sports' WhatsApp channel for the latest news, videos, and analysis. Meanwhile, the Super 6 competition continues, offering a chance to win a £250,000 prize for those who enter for free.
In summary, the Motherwell defeat represents a major blow to Rangers' title ambitions, dropping them to third place and widening the gap to league leaders Hearts. The team must quickly address defensive frailties, sustain the attacking spark shown after halftime, and rally behind Röhl's motivational message if they hope to keep their championship dreams alive in the final stretch of the season.