Cyriel Dessers steals the show for Rangers against Motherwell

A first-half goal from Cyriel Dessers proved enough for Rangers to see off Motherwell 1-0 but the Steelmen did not relinquish their long unbeaten record on the road without a major fight.

The 28-year-old benefited from Rabbi Matondo’s effort towards goal, turning it past Motherwell keeper Liam Kelly to break the deadlock in the 24th minute.

Matondo got a chance to shoot from 20 yards and Dessers diverted the ball over Liam Kelly’s dive for his third Rangers goal.

The cruel deflection wrong-footed Liam Kelly, for what turned out to be the only goal of the not-so-inspiring match as fans booed all through despite the win.

Rangers had chances to extend their lead but Kelly denied Dessers and then Lammers who had several chances either side of the break, twice forcing Kelly into saves and volleying wide from Tavernier’s cross.

Motherwell threatened late on, and Oli Shaw should have turned the game on its head with an equalizer but the hosts held on for the win.

It was Motherwell’s first Premiership defeat in nine away matches since Stuart Kettlewell took charge in February.

Michael Beale’s side, who beat St Johnstone last weekend and then Real Betis on Thursday, leapfrog the Fir Park side in the table as they are now third with four points behind leaders Celtic.

It however came at a cost for Rangers as Matondo went off injured in the first half after twice going down with no one near him.