Decisive figure fires Rangers past Motherwell | OneFootball

Ryan Naderi settled a bruising contest in the 12th minute with a right-footed finish, as Rangers beat Motherwell 1-0. The substitute's strike defined the game at Ibrox and delivered the points.

Drafted on early, Naderi found space in the centre of the box and swept in from close range (12.). The towering forward's movement pinned Motherwell's centre-backs and immediately changed the tone.

He kept asking questions before the interval with an angled header that drifted wide (35.). After the restart he rattled the right post from very close range (54.), then forced Alex Paulsen to tip over with a firm header (71.). Another nodded chance flashed past the far stick late on (80.).

Naderi finished with five attempts, two on target, and 11 touches in the box. He also won six aerial duels and won possession 12 times, a relentless outlet for long diagonals and early crosses.

Because Rangers used quick deliveries and second balls to target him, his hold-up play and penalty-area presence kept Motherwell deep and ensured the hosts controlled the most dangerous moments.

Rangers host St Mirren next in the Scottish Premiership, while Motherwell face Aberdeen.