Motherwell 1-1 Rangers: Celtic loanee haunts Gers with late equaliser
Motherwell 1-1 Rangers Raskin (6′) Welsh (89′) Stephen Welsh dented Rangers’ title charge with a deserved point at Fir Park, leaving Danny Rohl’s side five points behind leaders Hearts in the pulsating title race. Motherwell went close in the opening four minutes after Stephen O’Donnell’s cross found Emmanuel Longelo at the back post. The Englishman drilled past Jack Butland in August, but the goalkeeper parried his powerful strike from the left edge of the penalty box on this occasion. Rangers opened the scoring moments later. The hosts afforded Mohamed Diomande acres of space to drive towards Calum Ward’s goal. The midfielder’s cute pass split the Motherwell defence, allowing the onrushing Nico Raskin to sidefoot home from the penalty box. It was the dream start for Danny Rohl’s men, considering this was the first goal the hosts had conceded at Fir Park since mid-October. Jens Berthel Askou would have been disappointed with the cheapness of Rangers’ opener, but his side continued to settle. Despite enjoying large periods of possession in the opening 20 minutes, Elijah Just’s routine free kick was the only other test for Butland. Premiership top-goalscorer Tawanda Maswanhise has impressed throughout Motherwell’s standout season. He went close to equalising in the 27th minute, but after latching on to O’Donnell’s defence-splitting ball, his strike cannoned off the woodwork from a tight angle. Raskin produced a brilliant goal-line header to deny Stephen Welsh soon after, as the hosts continued to threaten. Rangers may have held the lead, but Askou’s side looked likely to find the equaliser. Youssef Chermiti had a golden chance to double Rangers’ advantage near the break. Welsh’s misjudged header found its way to the striker in the box, but he showed little composure with his slashed effort. January signing Ryan Naderi, sitting on the bench, may have fancied his chances. Chances were rare for both sides in the opening twenty minutes of the second period, as Rangers stemmed the home side’s dominance in the second half. Just stung the palms of Butland in the 66th minute as they looked to force a crucial equaliser. Motherwell’s task got harder after Stephen McLean gave Lukas Fadinger his marching orders. The midfielder’s lunge caught the calf of Mikey Moore, and after reviewing the VAR monitor, the referee rightly sent the Austrian off. Eythor Bjørgolfsson’s close-range header forced Butland into a save, but Motherwell forced an equaliser courtesy of their Celtic loanee moments later. Rangers’ lead evaporated in the 89th minute when Bjørgolfsson’s cushioned header found Welsh, who clinically fired home from inside the area. It was a hauntingly familiar scene for the visitors; having conceded a late leveller at Fir Park back in August, they were forced to endure the same late-game heartbreak all over again. Neither side could find a winner in the closing minutes, as Stephen McLean called a halt to proceedings on a remarkable night. The draw leaves Rangers five points behind Hearts before Sunday’s meeting with the league leaders at Ibrox. Motherwell remain fourth, and host Aberdeen this weekend. Motherwell: Ward 7 O’Donnell 7 McGinn 7 Welsh 8 Longelo 7 Fadinger 5 Watt 6 Slattery 6 Just 6 Said 6 Maswanhise 7 Substitutes: Priestman 6 Bjorgolfsson 5 Sparrow 5 Charles-Cook 3 Nicholson 3 Rangers: Butland 7 Tavernier 6 Souttar 7 Djiga 6 Meghoma 6 Chukwuani 6 Raskin 7 Diomande 6 Gassama 6 Moore 7 Chermiti 6 Substitutes: Naderi 6 Fernandez 4 Aasgaard 3 Miovski 3 Sterling 3
“Tynecastle was a beautiful sight” – McInnes Revels in Derby Delight
Hearts boss Derek McInnes highlighted his side’s “desire” as they delivered another late derby victory at Tynecastle over fierce rivals Hibernian. Tomas Magnusson connected with Harry Milne’s driven cross to sidefoot Hearts into a six-point lead at the summit of the Scottish Premiership. The manager believes it was another “brilliant moment” for the Jambos. “On a tight pitch with a greasy surface, players need to concentrate on that first touch and I thought the game was so scrappy at times. “Both teams played the derby in the manner it should be played but you’re looking for bits of quality, bits of calmness. You’re waiting for the game to settle and it didn’t for the full game. “Hibs caused us more anxiety in the first half. When we went full press, they had more of a threat at the top end. They had a couple scary moments, the long throws were causing us an issue. Their best chances came from that type of football.” McInnes admitted that Hibs were slightly better in the first period, but pointed to a second half switch which helped alter proceedings. “We changed the shape, put two wingers at wing back and went to a back three and allowed a wee bit more calmness with our work. It nullified their threat better and gave us more of a foothold. “We recognise we can play a lot better and there’s games coming up where we need to play a lot better. Derby games aren’t always about the best team, the best players, the best passages of play. It’s about way more than that, what’s under the bonnet. “What we’ve got in abundance is a desire to make the game go our way. Harry Milne’s desire to get the ball to the byeline, Tomas Magnusson’s desire to get on the end of it. That’s what I’m talking about. “For all it was scrappy and untidy, that’s the way derbies are. There have been a million of them are. Without the experience we’ve got missing in the team, a lot of our boys were playing that type of game for the first time. “I always feel we’ve got a goal in us. It’s very rarely we don’t score. What a brilliant moment for us. Tynecastle was such a beautiful sight.” After bouncing back from a dismal defeat in Paisley last Tuesday, the Jambos head to Ibrox next. As momentum continues to build within the maroon side of Edinburgh, the question remains, how far can McInnes’ team go this season.
Derbies, Clean Sheets, and Wonderkids: SPFL Breakdown Round 26
With key games at the top and the bottom of the Scottish Premiership, these are the main things to watch out for across the latest round fixtures. Game of the Round – Motherwell v Rangers The focus may be on Tynecastle for the third Edinburgh Derby of the season, but Wednesday’s showdown between Motherwell and Rangers is an equally enticing prospect. Jens Berthel Askou has transformed the Steelmen this campaign, and their outstanding home form has been central to that resurgence. With just one defeat at Fir Park, eight consecutive home clean sheets, and only five goals conceded on their own ground, it’s clear why Danny Rohl’s Rangers must approach this fixture with caution. Rangers, alongside Hearts and Celtic, have shaped much of the title conversation this season. While Motherwell may struggle to keep pace with the top three over the long haul, Askou’s revitalised side remain difficult to dismiss. Rohl’s men arrive in formidable form, unbeaten in eight league matches and buoyed by 13 goals across their last two outings. The contrast between the current Rangers side and the one that laboured to a 1–1 draw at Fir Park under Russell Martin in August highlights the significant impact the German has made at Ibrox. Whether Motherwell can extend their remarkable home run, or Rangers continue their push toward the top of the Premiership, Wednesday night promises a gripping encounter. Team Spotlight – Hearts Derek McInnes’ side may have stumbled to a disappointing 1–0 defeat in Paisley last Tuesday, but derbies are often the perfect platform to reset and respond. With a table-topping showdown against Rangers looming on Sunday, McInnes will be desperate for his players to maintain their slender three‑point lead at the summit by overcoming their bitter Edinburgh rivals. Questions remain, however, over the Gorgie side’s discipline and depth. Hearts have received a red card in three of their last four matches, and they will once again be without key figures: Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin, and the suspended Craig Halkett. Yet McInnes has instilled remarkable resilience in this group. They have led the title race for more than four months, remain unbeaten at home in the league, and have gone five matches without defeat against the Old Firm. Can they continue to channel this toughness once more on Tuesday, and keep their title push firmly on track ahead of a pivotal week? Player to Watch – Cameron Congreve The Dundee winger has repeatedly injected life into his side this season, contributing six assists and posing a constant threat, most recently during their gut‑wrenching League Cup defeat at Parkhead. Despite sitting 10th, Steven Pressley’s men have grown steadily in confidence, and with a game in hand over the two sides below them, their prospects of survival remain strong. As the campaign enters its decisive phase, the Swansea loanee is set to play a crucial role in Dundee’s fortunes. With key fixtures against Falkirk, Aberdeen, and Livingston on the horizon, his attacking influence will be pivotal in navigating the remaining five months of the season.
Askou praises “defensive platform” ahead of Rangers clash
Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou believes his side’s balance is a key component to their defensive stability this season in the Scottish Premiership. Speaking ahead of their home clash with Rangers on Wednesday evening, Askou was full of praise for his “disciplined” side. “First of all, as long as we have the ball, it’s difficult for the opposition to score unless we put it in the back of the net ourselves, which we haven’t done,” “The other thing is, if we have the ball a lot, they spend a lot of energy on chasing it and defending against us. If we then pose a threat at the same time, then they spend even more energy on trying to make sure we don’t create chances and score goals. “The lift in our attacking side of the game has made the opposition spend even more energy. And sometimes, they change things up from what they usually do, both in terms of approach but also formation, which makes it more difficult to perform at their best.” With high praise for his side’s attack and defence, the Dane pointed out goalkeeper Calum Ward, who continues to enhance his game behind the forward flair. “We’ve also got a goalie who’s just gotten better and better, showing a really high level with his passing under pressure from day one,” Askou said. “He’s also improved fantastically with his normal goalkeeping skills in terms of stopping the opposition from scoring, making saves, and getting out of the box.” “It’s about balance between having the ball, being good in attack and then being defensively solid, aggressive, intense, well-structured, disciplined at the same time. “That is something we have been working on every day since we started, and it’s given us a very stable defensive platform, especially here.” The statistics behind the Steelmen’s rise highlight Askou’s imprint on this galvanised squad, holding the most Premiership clean sheets in the league with 13, and conceding just 5 goals at Fir Park all season. Their home dominance is amplified considering Falkirk were the last visiting team to score a goal against them, on October 18th 2025. That match against the Bairns was also the only home defeat of the season. The likes of Celtic, Hibs, Dundee United, and Aberdeen have all failed to pick up points at Fir Park. December’s 2-0 over Nancy’s Celtic caught the attention of the entire country, as Askou’s men bullied and toyed with the dismal visiting side. It remains to be seen how far this reinvigorated team can go, but with top goalscorer Tawanda Maswanhise still in the ranks, and defensive stalwart Stephen Welsh returning on loan, the remaining five months of the season could yet turn out memorable at Motherwell. They remain in the Scottish Cup mix, and their red-hot domestic form may encourage fans to dream of lifting silverware for the first time since 1991.
Ibrox Rematch, Top Goalscorers, and Local Rivals: Scottish Cup 5th Round Breakdown
Sixteen teams remain in the Scottish Cup; here are the main points to watch out for this weekend. Game of the Round – Stenhousemuir v Falkirk Stenhousemuir face Falkirk on Sunday evening in a compelling meeting between two in‑form sides. Stenhousemuir sit joint‑top of League One and have lost only once in their last nine league matches, strengthened by their emphatic four‑goal win over Morton in the previous round that secured their place in the last 16. Matthew Aitken remains a key threat, having scored seven league goals, including a decisive double against Morton. The Ochilview outfit even lifted their first league title under Gary Naysmith’s guidance. Falkirk enter the fixture enjoying an equally impressive season. In their first top‑flight campaign in 15 years, they have established themselves comfortably in the top six and earned praise for their expansive style of play. Their penalty shootout victory over league leaders Hearts in the last round further highlighted their progress. Both teams approach the match with confidence, setting the stage for either a potential upset or another step forward for the Premiership side. Team Spotlight – Queens Park Scottish football is never short of drama, and Queen’s Park’s 4th Round journey delivered a similar shock. Stranraer originally thought they’d struck gold, defeating the Spiders on penalties to secure a massive 5th Round tie at Ibrox. However, the celebrations were short-lived; it emerged that stand-in keeper Lyndon Tas was ineligible, resulting in Stranraer’s disqualification. Now, Queen’s Park head to Ibrox for a 5th round rematch. Rangers fans may be nervous, and for good reason. Just 12 months ago, Philippe Clement’s side put in an abject performance as Seb Drozd’s 69th-minute winner etched his name into Scottish Cup folklore. Can the Spiders capitalise on this second chance and deliver another historic upset? Player to Watch – Tawanda Maswanhise Motherwell continue to fly under Jens Berthel Askou, sitting pretty in 4th and playing arguably the most attractive football in the country. With the Steelmen in peak form, fans are starting to dream of a first Scottish Cup triumph since 1991. Standing in their way of the quarter-finals is a managerless Aberdeen side. Askou has already tasted success against the Dons this season, knocking them out of the League Cup, and he’ll be leaning on the league’s top marksman to do it again. Tawanda Maswanhise is coming off a clinical brace against Livingston, and Saturday night under the lights is the perfect stage for the Zimbabwean to cement further his status as the league’s most dangerous man.
I think it flatters Rangers – Neil McCann on Ibrox Defeat
Kilmarnock boss Neil McCann has “zero criticism” from his side’s 5-1 defeat to Rangers, after battling for 86 minutes with a man down at Ibrox. Dom Thompson’s early red card was compounded by James Tavernier’s clinical penalty, presenting the Ayrshire side with a mountain to climb. Despite the setbacks, McCann believes his team were the “better side” in the first half. ‘I’m so disappointed, we lost a man so early in the match, and I’ve got my thoughts on that, but you have to suck it up.’ ‘You have to continue to trust the players and what the game plan is, your game plan is sort of up in the smokes, and we’re a man down.’ ‘The instruction wasn’t any different, in terms of, we still wanted them to be brave, we still wanted them to get into the game, we still wanted them to pass, and be everything we want them to be moving forward.’ ‘I felt that we were the better side in the first half, and then it is just natural that we gassed in the second half, then you succumb to what looks like a heavy defeat.’ McCann believed Tavernier should have been dismissed in the second period, after colliding with striker Tyrece John-Jules. ‘I think that should be evened up in the second period, there is clear contact on our striker John-Jules, it’s James Tavernier who is just caught on the opposite side, and when he turns, there’s complete contact, on a player that is on the turn, and he falls over.’ ‘There’s no reason for him to go down, and I’m told that there is not enough contact. I can’t understand that. There’s either contact on a player who is in on goal, or there’s not.’ ‘Not enough contact is not a good enough explanation’ Kilmarnock ended a barren, 17-game winless run on Saturday, after dispatching Aberdeen at BBSP Rugby Park. Sitting six points behind their next opponents, St Mirren, pivotal games await McCann’s side. ‘I’ve got zero criticism of my boys tonight because when you go down to 10 men so early in a match, sometimes it can have an effect, particularly when we were just off that real bad run on Saturday. My goodness, I thought they were brilliant tonight.’
‘To lose a goal from a set play with two minutes to go is pretty galling’ – McInnes
Hearts boss Derek McInnes believes his side’s refusal to “play forward” contributed to their third league defeat of the season, leaving an opportunity for Celtic and Rangers to close the gap to three points. Speaking at full-time, McInnes accepts that the first-half dismissal of Craig Halkett gave his side an immediate uphill battle. ‘I thought we caused our own problems. I think it is the third time in four games we’ve gone down to 10 men, which gives us a mountain to climb. ‘We were guilty of putting ourselves in a bit of a fankle, in a bit of a state, to cause the red card ‘We had two opportunities to play forward, and we refused to do it, and we ended up getting caught on it unnecessarily, so we’ve got to accept that part of it. ‘No complaints about the red card, and then you’ve got to try and do all you can. Everybody has to work a bit harder, we’re working harder in the dugout, just to try and give the lads a chance to stay in the game, and we almost did it.’ Miguel Freckleton’s 88th-minute winner seals St Mirren’s first league victory in seven games. McInnes believes his side could have dealt with the set piece in a better manner. ‘To lose a goal from a set play with two minutes to go is pretty galling, but again, we should still deal with that. ‘We can’t have a free header there in the middle of our goal, and it’s harsh because I thought we put so much on it. I don’t think anybody could have denied that the effort we put in, we could have earned a point tonight.’ The manager reckons his side’s inability to play forward in the first half contributed to the defeat, ‘We need to be able to run forward and play forward, and we got to the top of the league with a lot of characteristics, of being that team, and I felt tonight, we were guilty of not playing forward in that early part of the game. ‘The distances between my last centre-half and their centre half was about 30 yards. The grass was all behind them; we needed more runs from the forward line, and we needed more passes into space to make them think twice about coming after us. The distances then become tighter and tighter, and you need to be really on point to break press. We broke their press a few times, and we got out, and we play alright. But we were guilty of that, and it ended up causing a red card, which makes the game so much more challenging for us.’ Hearts return to Premiership action next Tuesday, in the third Edinburgh Derby of the season at Tynecastle
Transitions, Sporting Directors, and Premier League Loans: SPFL Breakdown Round 25
An intriguing midweek slate of Scottish Premiership football awaits. Here is what to watch out for across the next two days. Game of the Round – Aberdeen v Celtic The Scottish Champions travel to Pittodrie on Wednesday knowing there is little margin for error in an increasingly tense title race. Martin O’Neill’s second interim spell of the season has brought stability, with his side unbeaten in seven matches and securing a place in the Europa League knockout stage after a dominant win over Dutch side Utrecht. Bolstered by deadline‑day additions, striker Junior Adamu, winger Joel Mvuka, and centre‑back Benjamin Arthur, O’Neill will hope he has the tools to deliver a fifth consecutive league title. Aberdeen await, in far less convincing form. Saturday’s 3–0 defeat at Rugby Park has only deepened the uncertainty surrounding the club. Nearly a month has passed since Jimmy Thelin’s dismissal, yet the managerial search, led by sporting director Lutz Pfattinstiel, has still not produced a successor. Sitting five points adrift of the top six, time is running out for the Dons to salvage their season. With both teams navigating transitional periods, this Scottish Cup final rematch promises to be a fascinating encounter. Manager Spotlight – Marvin Bartley The former Queen of the South manager has taken over Davie Martindale’s long-term position at the Livingston helm, and faces the almighty task of halting a 24-match winless run. Sitting six points adrift at the foot of the table, points will be precious for the Lions, and Wednesday’s encounter against Falkirk may offer the best chance of ending the rut. Livingston’s sole victory this season was a 3-1 home win against the Bairns. The two sides produced a gripping championship title battle last season. Bartley will hope that his side can continue their nine-match unbeaten run against John McGlynn’s side, potentially springing them back into contention for survival. Player to Watch – Kai Andrews Hibs steadied a difficult two‑week run with a strong home performance against Rangers. Martin Boyle and Elie Youan both passed up golden opportunities, and David Gray will feel his side merited more than a single point. One of the standout performers on Sunday was Coventry loanee Kai Andrews. The midfielder, who previously featured for Motherwell, delivered an assured display after being introduced in the 10th minute for the injured Miguel Chaiwa. At just 19, he showed maturity beyond his years, going toe‑to‑toe with the likes of Nicolas Raskin and Thelo Aasgaard. Speaking at full‑time, Andrews expressed hope that a positive spell at Easter Road can strengthen his international prospects with Wales and potentially earn him a Premier League opportunity with high‑flying Coventry. Gray remains without midfield maestro Josh Mulligan, and with Dundee United visiting Easter Road, the manager may again turn to Andrews following his impressive debut outing. Hibs’ season hangs in the balance; they will need to chase down 4th-place Motherwell to have any chance of achieving back-to-back European campaigns. Could Andrews be the catalyst for the Hibees this season?
Hearts Youngster Wilson set for Premier League Move
Tottenham Hotspur have agreed to take James Wilson on loan from Hearts till the end of the season, with an option to buy. The 18-year-old managed six goals in thirty-three appearances last season, but has fallen down the pecking order under Derek McInnes, featuring just six times. Arsenal were reported to offer similar interest, offering a trial for the youngster, but Hearts have instead opted for Wilson to join Thomas Frank’s side. The Premier League interest took McInnes by surprise, he told Sky Sports Scotland earlier this week. “He’s been restricted with minutes this season. It’s tough to get into the first team at this age,” “Would we see the benefit of a loan? Yes, to get some minutes. But this one was a wee bit left-field.”
Title Challengers, Midfield Replacements, and Winless Runs: SPFL Matchday 24 Breakdown
As the Scottish Premiership season ticks towards February, let’s break down the latest round of fixtures. Game of the Round – Hibernian v Rangers Eight straight league victories have propelled Rangers into second place, and despite a 3-1 defeat in Porto, optimism remains high on the blue side of Glasgow. Danny Rohl, who secured his first away win at the Ibrox helm on a cold October night at Easter Road, now looks to Sunday’s return fixture to edge closer to the high-flying Jambos. The January arrivals of Andreas Skov Olsen, Tochi Chukwuani, and Tuur Rommens have fueled the belief that a first Premiership title since 2021 is within reach, setting the stage for an electrifying few months. In contrast, Hibernian are reeling from a dismal end to January; after a Scottish Cup exit at the hands of former boss Neil Lennon, they were soundly beaten 4-1 by an invigorated Falkirk. With top scorer Kieron Bowie reportedly nearing a £6 million move to Hellas Verona, David Gray needs a mammoth performance from his side to claim their first win over Rangers since 2016. As Easter Road prepares for Sunday’s clash, the question is whether Rangers will stretch their winning run to nine games or if Hibs can ease the mounting pressure on their manager. Player to Watch – Marc Leonard The Birmingham midfielder joined Derek McInnes’s side just days before Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash with Celtic, signing a loan deal until the end of the season that could see the former Hearts youngster become a vital part of their title charge. With Cammy Devlin sidelined by injury, Leonard appears to be an ideal replacement for the influential Australian; despite some early nerves on his debut, he grew into the game by showcasing an impressive passing range and a relentless work rate against the Celtic midfield. Having proven he is up for the fight, Leonard will likely keep his place for Saturday’s trip to Tannadice, where another positive performance could help Hearts extend their lead at the summit to seven points. Team Spotlight – Kilmarnock Neil McCann’s appointment at Rugby Park came as a surprise to many, marking his return to the dugout for the first time in over five years. His tenure has seen mixed results so far; after battling to a draw against Livingston, Kilmarnock suffered a disappointing Scottish Cup exit followed by a heavy defeat to an in-form Motherwell. Now precariously sitting in 11th place, McCann’s side must rely on their home form to survive, and a clash with an inconsistent Aberdeen side this Saturday offers a prime opportunity to kick-start his Ayrshire reign. With the 4-0 loss at Fir Park stretching Killie’s winless run to 16 matches, all eyes are on whether they can finally end their horror streak this weekend.
