Motherwell hit late equaliser to draw with Rangers in Premiership opener

Motherwell scored a late equaliser against Rangers as the sides took a point each with a draw on the opening day of the Premiership season.

The game at Fir Park ended 1-1 on Saturday afternoon as both managers continued their undefeated starts.

The result means Rangers have failed to win any of their opening league games in the last three seasons.

Russell Martin’s side took an early lead through their captain James Tavernier, when he turned home a corner from Joe Rothwell on the 14th minute.

Emmanuel Longelo equalised late in the second half with a fine finish after a good period of possession from Motherwell.

The visitors had the best of the opening stages with Djeidi Gassama, making his first start since signing from Sheffield Wednesday, and Danilo, who hit the crossbar, both coming close.

They got the breakthrough soon after when Tavernier headed home Rothwell’s cross to make it 1-0.

The visitors took that lead into half time, but it was Motherwell who came out strongest after the break.

Jens Berthel Askou’s side had a string of chances as they pushed for an equaliser.

Tawanda Maswanhise fired over the bar from close range and captain Paul McGinn forced a save from Jack Butland during a good spell of possession for the Steelmen.

The game was now beginning to open up with good chances being created at both ends.

Rangers debutant Lyall Cameron had a powerful strike from the edge of the box saved by Motherwell keeper Calum Ward, before Apostolos Stamatelopoulos came agonisingly close with a header.

The Australian will feel he should have done better with the close range effort, but his header looped over the bar and onto the roof of the net.

Motherwell got their equaliser with just three minutes left to play when Longelo finished off a good attacking move.

The left back, who joined from Birmingham City in the summer, fired a shot past Butland to make it 1-1 on the 87th minute.

Berthel Askou’s men should have won it at the end when Tom Sparrow was put through one-on-one with the keeper in injury time, but he failed to connect with his shot as much as he would’ve liked, and the danger was cleared.