Rangers sent warning by Motherwell boss Graham Alexander
Rangers are on a high after overcoming Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League on Thursday but it is quickly back to business against Motherwell on Sunday.
The midweek heroes are back under the microscope with ground to make up in the Scottish Premiership title race as Celtic could be six points clear by the time Gers have kicked off.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst should know all of that though and will have his side ready to go again against the Steelmen.
The Well’s boss Graham Alexander is in no mood to see his team step aside for the European headline-makers and wants his players to take the game to the Light Blues.
“We had to work exceptionally hard [in the 1-1 draw this season],” Alexander said, as quoted by the Daily Record.
“We had to try and nullify their qualities or make them play in a way they didn’t want to, and I think Sunday will be a similar game or a similar game-plan from us.
“We have to try and make them play in a way that they’re not particularly comfortable with, and then bring our ‘A-game, in and out of possession.
“It’s important that we don’t go there just to defend. We need to have an attacking threat, which we always try and carry.
“We have to know, we have to look within ourselves as a team, and see that we can score goals.”
Musn’t forget domestic form
The Europa League triumph is undoubtedly a big deal for the club but it can’t come at the expense of their Scottish Premiership defence.
Defeating Dortmund will quickly be forgotten if they are knocked out by Red Star Belgrade in the next round anyway so they can’t afford to try and coast through league games in preparation.
They have tried to do that recently and it has badly affected them with draws at Dundee United and Ross County along with the Old Firm defeat seeing Celtic usurp the Gers in the league table.
If van Bronckhorst’s side turn up, they have the tools to beat anyone in the country but far too often they have come a cropper against much lesser sides through complacency.
At least with the Ibrox crowd behind them, they should have the boost required to rise above the Motherwell challenge and keep the pressure on The Hoops.
In other Rangers news, there is big news regarding Aaron Ramsey ahead of tomorrow’s Motherwell game.