Stephen Hughes grabbed his third goal of the season to secure all three points for Rangers against Motherwell.

Both sides had plenty of chances to find the back of the net but Hughes gave them all a lesson in finishing when he netted shortly before half-time.

Much of the pressure on the shoulders of Rangers had been removed before the game kicked-off following Celtic's game against Hearts 24 hours earlier.

A win for Celtic, coupled with a Rangers defeat today, would have seen Martin O'Neill's men crowned the new Scottish champions but they could only manage a draw at Parkhead a day earlier.

Even though it was only a matter of time before Rangers would be forced to relinquish the title to their Old Firm rivals, there was still professional pride to play for and the Ibrox side could have been ahead after just two minutes.

Motherwell goalkeeper Gordon Marshall played the ball straight to the feet of Michael Mols and the Dutch striker tried his luck with a shot at goal from 35 yards but sent the effort over the crossbar.

But Motherwell were also looking dangerous. Steven Craig did well to rob Alan Hutton of possession before setting up Alex Burns for the shot but Frank de Boer managed to clear the danger. The resultant corner was taken by Jason Dair and he picked out Paul Quinn only for his header to be denied from finding the back of the net by a superb Stefan Klos save.

It was Rangers who took the lead just a minute before half-time. Craig Moore's pass found Mols and he cut back into the path of Hughes for the young midfielder to roll the ball into the back of the net.

Motherwell were clearly determined to haul themselves back into the game and Dair was not too far away with a 30-yard drive that fell just wide of target shortly after the restart.

Rangers had the chance to add to their lead when Hamed Namouchi was hauled down just outside the area by Phil O'Donnell but Paolo Vanoli curled the resultant free kick just over the crossbar.

A Hughes challenge on David Clarkson saw the Rangers midfielder booked and Motherwell given the chance to put the Ibrox side under pressure. Steven Hammell stepped up for the set-piece and he produced a powerful enough shot but Klos saved comfortably.

Rangers should have netted their second goal of the day when Maurice Ross' cross was met by Mols and he bulleted a header at goal but Marshall somehow managed to claw the ball to safety.

Frank de Boer found his name added to the referee's book for raising his hands to Burns after the Motherwell player had nudged him into the advertising hoardings as the game grew more heated.

Tempers flared again when Ross and Steven Craig were involved in fisticuffs and more yellow cards were handed out in a game that saw a total of nine players cautioned.

Teams

Motherwell: Marshall, Quinn, Craigan, Corrigan, Hammell, Fagan, Burns, Dair, O'Donnell, Craig, Scott McDonald (Clarkson 59).

Subs Not Used: Corr, Kevin McDonald, Kinniburgh, Wright.

Booked: Dair, Craig, O'Donnell.

Rangers: Klos, Hutton (Ross 45), Moore, Frank de Boer, Ball, Namouchi (Walker 73), Hughes, Rae, Vanoli, Thompson, Mols.

Subs Not Used: McGregor, Adams, McDormack.

Booked: Hutton, Namouchi, Moore, Frank de Boer, Ross.

Goals: Hughes 44.

Att: 8,967

Ref: J Rowbotham (Scotland).