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Rangers comfortable defeated Motherwell 2-0 at Fir Park in the group stage of the Betfred Cup through goals from James Tavernier & Martyn Waghorn. None of the summer signings started the game; five were on the bench, and the same defensive weaknesses that were clear last season were still evident today.
After a goalless first half Rangers took the lead in the 48th minute through James Tavernier.
Lovely finish! @James_Tavernier fires @RangersFC ahead in their #BetfredCup clash at @MotherwellFC. https://t.co/7yjUS63mLX
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) July 16, 2016
Referee Steven McLean kept up his impressive track record of failing to spot handballs when he missed keeper Craig Samson handle outside the box and then a few minutes later defender Henegan handling inside the penalty area. Even Chris Sutton thought the referee had got both decision wrong. CHRIS SUTTON!
85mins: Just before that, 'Well lucky to get away with a call as the ball struck Samson's elbow outside the box. Nothing doing from the ref.
— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) July 16, 2016
87mins: Another handball shout as the ball hits Heneghan on route. It definitely hit his hand, but did he mean it. No penalty anyway.
— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) July 16, 2016
Niko Kranjcar made his Rangers debut and immediately made Scottish defenders look like the jobbers they are:
Ladies & gentlemen, I present: Niko Kranjcar. pic.twitter.com/s8f9ZycPhG
— The Exuberator (@Gersfan_78) July 16, 2016
With the game almost over Martyn Waghorn gave Rangers a well deserved second goal with a lovely curled finish.
Pick that out! @MWaghorn33 bends in a beauty for @RangersFC to seal victory over @MotherwellFC in the #BetfredCup https://t.co/WHphfAzuHt
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) July 16, 2016