Credit: Imago

Dan Godfrey

Thu 27 February 2025 17:40, UK

Barry Ferguson makes an emotional return to Ibrox this weekend as Motherwell come calling for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.

Gers came out on top in Ferguson’s inaugural game in charge against Kilmarnock on Wednesday night (26 February), albeit earning the three points the hard way after recovering from 2-0 down to win 4-2.

Ferguson has now already seen a snippet of the good and the bad as manager, ahead of his first return home while leading the side.

Rangers v Motherwell preview

Rangers began life after Philippe Clement on a winning note, eventually controlling proceedings against Derek McInnes’ Killie at Rugby Park ahead of Saturday afternoon against Motherwell (1 March).

It was not without fear and anger first, though, as Ferguson’s men were shell-shocked into a two-goal deficit early on and went in at the break trailing 2-1.

Vaclav Cerny’s goal before half-time set Gers on the right track, before Cyriel Dessers’ crucial double turned it around and Nedim Bajrami made sure of the result late on.

Rangers will be looking to finish the season strongly domestically, with a second-place finish as good as rubber-stamped.

In the visitors’ camp, Motherwell finally put an end to an abysmal run of six straight defeats in all competitions with Wednesday night’s 2-1 win over Dundee at Fir Park, Dan Casey firing both goals for Stuart Kettlewell’s men.

With a place in the top six still very much in sight, the away side have plenty to play for at Ibrox; the two sides drew 2-2 in the final game of 2024 last time they met, Hamza Igamane saving the Light Blues with a second-half brace to recover from two down.

Form guide (Scottish Premiership)

Rangers: WLWWW

Motherwell: WLLLL

Head-to-Head

Motherwell 2-2 Rangers (December 2024)

Motherwell 1-2 Rangers (November 2024 – League Cup)

Rangers 2-1 Motherwell (August 2024)

Rangers 1-2 Motherwell (March 2024)

Motherwell 0-2 Rangers (December 2023)

Team news

Rangers could be tempted into changes after the shocking start against Kilmarnock in midweek, with centre-halves Robin Propper and Clinton Nsiala coming in for heavy criticism among others.

Bajrami’s goal off the bench could see him push for a start, while Rafael Fernandes – Gers’ sole winter signing – may be cleared to start in defence.

Dessers is again proving his worth to lead the line which is likely to continue in the wake of his brace on Wednesday, moving him onto 20 goals in all competitions this season.

Ianis Hagi could be pushed out wide, with Ridvan Yilmaz pushing for a start having stayed at Rangers after a heavy transfer pursuit from Besiktas.

Motherwell have a considerable injury list at present, with the likes of Paul McGinn, Josh Vale and Archie Mair having missed numerous games of late.

Predicted line-ups

Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Fernandes, Propper, Yilmaz, Diomande, Raskin, Cerny, Bajrami, Hagi, Dessers.

Motherwell: Balcombe, O’Donnell, Gordon, Casey, Sparrow, Paton, Halliday, Miller, Thompson, Slattery, Maswanhise.

Where to watch Rangers v Motherwell

As the contest at Ibrox kicks off at 3pm on Saturday afternoon, there will be no live television scheduling on either Sky Sports nor Premier Sports.

BBC Radio Scotland will host their usual Sportsound show with updates via radio coverage.

Prediction: Rangers 4-1 Motherwell

Rangers will be more comfortable at Ibrox and Ferguson knows home like the back of his hand. He will be immediately settled and the supporters will have his back.

The attacking outlet of Gers remains very powerful and chances will come very often against a Motherwell side who have won just one in seven, albeit on Wednesday.

Rangers’ defence are still suspect and Ferguson is likely to chop and change at the back which could make things slightly fragmented during the opening stages of the game, and Jack Butland might have a few saves to make.

But it should be a comfortable victory for Rangers, who will be keen to convince the fans that brighter light lies ahead under their former captain, with players aiming to establish a regular starting spot in his team.