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Rangers continue to close in on Scottish title

07/05/2008

Rangers have moved a step closer to securing the Scottish league title after closing the gap to leaders Celtic with a 1-0 win over Motherwell.

Walter Smith's men now trail the Bhoys by four points but still have two games in hand over their rivals.

Rangers were far from their fluent best, as the number of games they have played recently began to show, but captain Barry Ferguson managed to find the net with 15 minutes to go to hand them a vital win.

Motherwell had done well to frustrate Celtic for much of their match against Gordon Strachan's side on Saturday and the third-placed team in Scotland again managed to hold their own against an Old Firm side.

Chances were limited during the match but one of the best opportunities fell to Kris Boyd in the first quarter of the match.

Steven Davies found the striker with an in-swinging corner but Boyd could only head against the crossbar.

Motherwell then wasted a chance of their own when Ross McCormack sent his shot wide of goal from six yards out following good work by Stephen Hughes.

Jean Claude Darcheville could have put Rangers ahead just before half time but failed to convert his one-on-one chance so the two sides entered the break scoreless.

Rangers put plenty of pressure on the Motherwell goal in the second half and Boyd saw two headers go narrowly over before Nacho Novo was denied by a fine save from 'Well goalkeeper Graeme Smith.

With 15 minutes remaining Ferguson broke the deadlock. Davies sent over another dangerous corner and the midfielder was able to curl a shot into the far corner of the goal.

Motherwell offered few threats on goal in the closing stages and Rangers were able to hold on for the win.

Rangers' next league game is against Dundee United on Saturday before they face Motherwell again in ten days' time.