Rangers closed the gap in the title race to just one point with an emphatic 3-1 win over Motherwell at Ibrox this afternoon.
An injury-ravaged Ibrox side showed three changes from Paisley - its' composition demonstrating the sparsity of resources available to Manager Walter Smith. There was a first appearance of the season for Steven Smith who replaced the injured DaMarcus Beasley, a first start since August for Andrius Velicka who came in for Steven Naismith and Christian Dailly replaced the injured Sasa Papac. Just to cap it all - on the substitute's bench was none other than Andy Webster, his first outing in Light Blue since being an unused sub. during the Kaunas debacle. All this against a Motherwell side containing three former Rangers players - namely Graeme Smith, Brian McLean and Stephen Hughes, with Bob Malcolm a substitute.
Rangers got off to the perfect start with the opening goal in just two minutes when Velicka scrambled home a Smith cross.
Smith - normally a full-back but on this occasion playing in left-midfield - was causing problems for 'Well on the flank - and three minutes later he combined well with Steven Whittaker to allow the latter through on goal but from a tight angle his cutback was behind the unmarked Kris Boyd who had the goal at his mercy.
It scarcely seemed to matter however - for Boyd made it 2-0 in nine minutes with a stunning 25-yard shot from a Whittaker pass.
The Ibrox men were motoring - and a superb Pedro Mendes pass four minutes later released Velicka through on goal only for the Lithuanian to be beaten to the ball by the out-rushing 'Well 'keeper Graeme Smith.
The game quietened down considerably after such a dynamic start - but Boyd was still a threat, and he volleyed a long Steve Davis pass over in 35 minutes.
Sixty seconds later - out of the blue - John Sutton halved the deficit with a 25-yard volley that gave Neil Alexander no chance.
There was concern amongst the 50,080 crowd that Rangers - for a fourth consecutive game - had lost their way after an impressive start, but Boyd might have eased the tension in 42 minutes when his left-foot shot from a Velicka head-flick was parried by Graeme Smith.
Boyd again almost made it 3-1 eight minutes after the restart when his volley on the turn from the edge of the box produced a fine save from Smith.
Nacho Novo replaced Velicka in 57 minutes - and just before the hour a fine Davis pass sent Boyd through only to shoot across the face of goal.
The centre would not be denied however - making it 3-1 from the penalty spot after Mendes had been upended by McLean in 63 minutes.
Seven minutes later Whittaker embarked on a mazy solo run, played a one-two with Boyd, then saw his effort deflected onto the crossbar by Graeme Smith.
Naismith substituted for Smith in 72 minutes - the departing youngster going off to a standing ovation, so well had the home fans appreciated his play.
Rangers played out time comfortable with their well-deserved win, and afterwards Manager Walter Smith commented:
"I'm pleased with the win as we have taken nine points from three games in six days. It is to the team's credit that they have not been affected by all the injuries."
On the question of the suspended Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor the Ibrox Boss was short and to the point:
"It is a situation we did not want and had nothing to do with Rangers Football Club."
RANGERS Alexander; Dailly, Weir, Bougherra, Whittaker; Davis, Mendes, Edu, S. Smith (Naismith 72); Boyd, Velicka (Novo 57)
UNUSED SUBS G. Smith, Webster, Aaron, Fleck, Wilson
MOTHERWELL G. Smith, Quinn, McLean, Reynolds, Hammell; O'Brien, Klimpl, Hughes, McGarry (Sheridan 59); Clarkson, Sutton (Murphy 70)
UNUSED SUBS Fitzpatrick, Lasley, Kysiak, Malcolm, D. Smith
REFEREE David Somers