Billy Dodds finally showed his international class as fired his first goals
for Rangers in the demolition of Motherwell at Fir Park.
The £1million signing from Dundee United had looked a shadow of his former
self as he squandered a number of chances before he emphatically fired Giovanni
Van Bronckhorst's pass past the despairing Andy Goram in the final minute of the
first half.
It seemed to take a huge weight of his shoulders and he bagged his second five
minutes into the second half when he brilliantly glanced home Andrei
Kanchelskis' pinpoint cross past Goram.
While Dodds was proving his worth, Kanchelskis was thriving on the opportunity
after being reinstated to the Rangers line-up after stating he was prepared to
quit Ibrox if he could not command a regular place in the first team.
But the former Manchester United and Everton winger showed signs of his former
self and he fired a reminder to manager Dick Advocaat in the 25th minute -
albeit in bizarre fashion.
Shortly beforehand they should have taken the lead when Rod Wallace's 19-yard
strike crashed against the crossbar and amazingly Jorg Albertz followed up but
his header again came back off the upright.
However, Kanchelskis gave his side the lead as his cross somehow found its way
past Goram into the corner with the former Ibrox idol flat-footed.
Then in the 57th minute he fired home emphatically inside the area to earn
himself surely a continued run in the side.
Rangers created a hatful of chances in the first period and on the half hour
Wallace squandered a fantastic opportunity after running onto Barry Ferguson's
hopeful ball but he pulled his shot wide with only the keeper to beat.
However, they did claim a second in the 34th minute when Amoruso's ferocious
free-kick flew past the helpless Goram from the edge of the area as the
champions began to turn the screw.
But before Rangers put their foot on the gas Motherwell showed why they had
gone eight games unbeaten by slicing open the Rangers defence in the first ten
minutes.
After just two minutes Goodman sent Spencer through leaving Amoruso stranded
but his weak effort was easily stopped by Myhre.
A minute later and after a good move involving Derek Townsley and Spencer the
latter found himself in acres of space but he could not find the power or
direction to beat the on-loan Rangers keeper.
However, before Dodds had claimed the headlines he was guilty of wasting a
number of great opportunities.
In the eighth minute a Kanchelskis cross found Dodds in acres of space in the
area but the former Dundee United star fired straight at Goram.
A minute later and Goodman was presented with a gilt-edged opportunity to
break the deadlock and after a flowing move involving Spencer and Simo Valakari
the veteran striker's effort flashed high over the bar.
But that strike mirrored most of Motherwell's efforts as they became
increasingly frustrated while Rangers grew in confidence.
The champions continued to dominate after the break and Dodds was inches from
grabbing his third after 70 minutes when he headed Ferguson's centre against the
crossbar with Goram looking on in despair.
The busy Spencer had a chance of getting a consolation for the home side in
the 84th minute but his effort was easily gathered by Myhre.
Rangers, with Kanchelskis at the centre of their best efforts, continued to
show why they are favourites to keep their title and Van Bronckhorst fired over
from the Russian's pass.
However, Motherwell did get a consolation goal when Goodman headed home
Stephen McMillan's cross and moments later Myhre had to be at full stretch to
deny Spencer's effort.
Teams:
Motherwell: Goram, Doesburg, Kemble, Teale, McMillan,
Twaddle (Nicholas 59), Valakari, Brannan, Townsley (Nevin 46),Spencer, Goodman.
Subs Not Used: Woods, Thomas, Hammell.
Booked: Goodman, Brannan, Spencer, McMillan.
Goals: Goodman 88.
Rangers: Myhre, Vidmar, Amoruso, Moore, Numan, Kanchelskis,
Ferguson (Reyna 62), Albertz (McCann 66), Van Bronckhorst,
Wallace, Dodds (Durie 74).
Subs Not Used: Charbonnier, Nicholson.
Goals: Kanchelskis 25, Amoruso 34, Dodds 45, 49, Kanchelskis 57.
Att: 13,102
Ref: Bobby Orr (Scotland).
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