After making five changes for the Celtic match on Saturday Mark McGhee kept his promise of using his squad to the full by making five changes at Ibrox this evening.

In came Graeme Smith, Stephen Hughes, Simon Lappin, Steven McGarry and Ross McCormack who was celebrating a call up to the full Scotland squad. Left out from Saturday were Luke Daniels, David Clarkson, Steven Hammell, Darren Smith and Steven McGarry.

This allowed the manager to play an unusual 3-5-2 formation with McCormack and McGarry as the front two, with McLean, Craigan and Reynolds as the back line.

Rangers created the first real opportunity in the opening ten minutes when a long ball found Jean Claude Darcheville. The Frenchman held off Mark Reynolds to play in Kris Boyd. The big striker looked foolish as he slipped on the slick surface that had been watered just before kick off.

Malcolm stands his ground with Thompson

Seconds later 'Well struggled to defend a corner once again and Graeme Smith was forced to claw out a Boyd header. The rebound fell kindly for Nacho Novo but the little Spaniard could only fire wide from less than six yards out.

After weathering the early storm Motherwell started to keep the ball and edged more and more into the game without really creating anything. Although it did mean Rangers were left to chase the ball and the fans frustration was obvious from the Stands.

The Steelmen created their first real chance on the 34th minute, Keith Lasley sent Hughes clear on the right and his cross was met by McCormack but he could only sweep his shot wide across goal with Neil Alexander beaten.

McCormack shoots the ball  just wide

Just before the break the Fir Parkers narrowly survived when following neat interplay between Boyd and Darcheville, the former Notting Forest hitman shot wide from a narrow angle. Despite this late chance Motherwell deserved to go into the break level, dominating possession for long spells.

An early mistake from Hughes gave away a needless corner that almost proved costly. The kick from the quadrant was taken by Davies and his ball was met by Boyd but headed wide across the goal. Five minutes later the two combined to repeat the feat with Boyd once again heading over but from the centre of the goal this time.

Rangers tried to step up the pace but their finishing was proving to let them down as was shown by Darcheville who blasted over after a fine through ball from Barry Ferguson.

'Well were struggling to keep possession in the way they had in the opening half and this allowed Rangers to pile on the pressure but despite forcing a number of corners they home side struggled to create any clear cut chances.

Clarkson gets in the thick of the action

Halfway through the half a mix up between Craigan and Malcolm set up Boyd with a half chance but Smith was quick off his line to snuff out the danger. Within a couple of minutes the keeper had to be quick off his line again this time to bravely deny Novo.

'Well had an excellent opportunity to score when sub David Clarkson put in Keith Lasley on the right flank. With the shot looking on, the midfielder looked for the cut-back return to Clarkson but Cueller managed to get a toe in the way and the chance was gone.

It was to prove costly as a few minutes later Rangers pressure finally told as 'Well conceded, and rather predictably, the downfall once again came from a corner. Davies' kick from the right was flicked on at the near post which fell kindly for Barry Ferguson at the back post and he hooked a shot high into the roof of the net.

Rangers did have the ball in the net again with five minutes left but Boyd was denied by the assistant's flag which was up for offside.

Porter gets up-close and personal with Weir

It was to prove the last action of the game with the home side content to see out the proceedings in controlled possession. 'Well left the field disappointed at losing but upbeat at the performance and excited at the massive game with Aberdeen on Saturday.

Rangers: Alexander, Broadfoot, Cuellar, Weir, Whittaker, Davis, Ferguson, Thomson, Novo, Boyd (Cousin 86), Darcheville (Adam 76)

Subs Not Used: Graeme Smith, Dailly, Lennon, Emslie, McMillan.

Goals: Ferguson (74)

Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Brian McLean, Craigan, Reynolds, Fitzpatrick, Malcolm, Lasley (Darren Smith 75), Lappin, Hughes, McGarry (Clarkson 60), McCormack (Porter 75)

Subs Not Used: Daniels, Hammell, Murphy, Meechan

Booked: Hughes, McCormack, Lappin

Att: 48,238

Ref: C Richmond