Motherwell v Rangers 29/12/2024

[wellup83]

Gutted for the lads that they didn't come away with the 3 points. I feared the worst when they scored and especially after their second but credit to the boys they dug in and took a well deserved point. Think that's the best I've seen Paton in a Well shirt. Thought he and Halliday were immense throughout. SSC typically all about how bad they were giving us no credit whatsoever. 

[FirParkCornerExile]

In a less Toxic VAR atmosphere that Butland goals stands but the Officials are walking on eggshells and will seek out any opportunity not to rule against Rangers. Thought we were far more positive today and for all the Watt haters he gave us the necessary get out when we needed. We are still one of the worst team around to trying to defend a lead after the break. Me and my mate said we'd lose a goal within 5 mins of the restart to give Rangers the lift they needed. More to be positive about than not and any point against the OF cant be sniffed at. However its still 22 years since we took 3 points off Rangers at Fir Park and they were absolutely honking today. Will we ever get 3 points off them at home in my lifetime?

[FirParkCornerExile]

1 hour ago, David said:

It seems like a fair result overall.

We were clearly the better side in the first half, but Rangers' changes at the break, combined with us losing Stama, Miller, and Kaleta, swung the second half in their favour.

As for the two VAR incidents, they seemed straightforward to me. You simply can't put your hands on the keeper during a set piece and expect to get away with it. It’s a frustrating rule, but it’s been in place for some time now. The offside decision was correct as well—no real debate there.

I think the "Butland goal" stands in any other period. Rangers have created such a stushie about the officials that the atmosphere around VAR is toxic and they are terrified to give the nod to any team where they think Rangers can make a story out of it. 

[texanwellfan]

I’m hoping no serious injuries today and that we will have them available for next 4 games. Like to see us get back to McGinn Gordon Casey defense 

[Alpha1886]

19 minutes ago, FirParkCornerExile said:

In a less Toxic VAR atmosphere that Butland goals stands but the Officials are walking on eggshells and will seek out any opportunity not to rule against Rangers. Thought we were far more positive today and for all the Watt haters he gave us the necessary get out when we needed. We are still one of the worst team around to trying to defend a lead after the break. Me and my mate said we'd lose a goal within 5 mins of the restart to give Rangers the lift they needed. More to be positive about than not and any point against the OF cant be sniffed at. However it’s still 22 years since we took 3 points off Rangers at Fir Park and they were absolutely honking today. Will we ever get 3 points off them at home in my 

Edited December 29, 2024 by Alpha1886
Reply posted to wrong person

[MJC]

3 minutes ago, FirParkCornerExile said:

I think the "Butland goal" stands in any other period. Rangers have created such a stushie about the officials that the atmosphere around VAR is toxic and they are terrified to give the nod to any team where they think Rangers can make a story out of it. 

Absolute nonsense.
 

Again, if that is the case why then did VAR decide to let our first goal stand? Had that goal been the match winner do you not think that Rangers would have tried to “make a story” out of them being ‘cheated’ by a ‘handball’? 
 

And to be clear, I do not think that that was a deliberate handball at all, but it was questioned and reviewed by VAR so why then if “they are terrified to give the nod to any team where they think Rangers can make a story out of it” did they give the nod to us in that situation?

[Alpha1886]

3 minutes ago, Alpha1886 said:

 

[Chanzeypopz]

Can we all take a minute to appreciate Tony Watt's performace today btw, What a shift he put in and im gutted for him both goals he scored got dissallowed 👏💛

[Welly Machine]

Suppose a point is fair enough. We were better in the first half and they had the better of the second.

Was surprised Cerny and Igamane didn't start and expected them to come on in the second half but as others have said that is what they can afford to do.

Great we came away with something because, after losing a goal within the first 5 of the second half, I'm sure I wouldn't have been the only one thinking we could end up with nothing to show for a good first half.

Haven't seen it back but from the Cooper it looked like Butland made an arse of trying to knock the ball over the bar although seen someone mention there was a push.

[stv]

2 hours ago, Chanzeypopz said:

Still to get their complimentary penalty and 10+ mins added on

You got the second one right

[Richie]

22 minutes ago, Welly Machine said:

Haven't seen it back but from the Cooper it looked like Butland made an arse of trying to knock the ball over the bar although seen someone mention there was a push.

There was certainly no push.

There was a coming together, with Watt's arm up for leverage

[stv]

Kettlewell was an embarrassment on the touchline , what a pathetic display after getting the yellow , then getting held back by staff , still continuing to shout n swear then finally getting himself sent to the stands . Took the shine off his team set up and tactics in first half. Just plain stupidness.

[Andy H]

He was still ranting and raving in the interviews

[Spiderpig]

1 hour ago, MJC said:

Absolute nonsense.

Again, if that is the case why then did VAR decide to let our first goal stand?

They decided not to disallow the goal because no offence took place, Stamas arm was tight to his body, correct decision for a change.

[twistandshout1983]

Should have won that game today

Much better performance than I had been anticipating 

[wellfan]

1 hour ago, MJC said:

Again, if that is the case why then did VAR decide to let our first goal stand?

Because there was no foul. 

[texanwellfan]

That’s this game and Killie game I’ve been left feeling like we lost. 
 Still onwards and upwards, let’s see about taking some points from our next 5 games in January. 

[MJC]

7 minutes ago, Spiderpig said:

They decided not to disallow the goal because no offence took place, Stamas arm was tight to his body, correct decision for a change.

 

2 minutes ago, wellfan said:

Because there was no foul. 

There was no foul and I completely agree that it was the correct decision to allow the goal to stand.

But that’s not the point I was arguing. It was being suggested that referees/VAR will automatically give Rangers the decision no matter whether if it was the right call or not, presumably because they are biased towards them. 
 

Surely if a referee or a team of officials on VAR were out to assist Rangers then any 50/50 call or even any decision where there is doubt would go in favour of Rangers???

[Ya Bezzer!]

If I'm being honest I'd take a draw any time we go 2-0 up against the OF cos I've seen it too many times before.

Thought the start of the match was a bit of a weird one.  We looked wide open down the right and if Rangers had been better on the ball we could have been in real trouble.

However we took our chances to go 2-0 up and it was only then that I thought we grew into the game.  From then until Rangers equalised I thought we were the better team.

Conceding 4 minutes into the second half was very frustrating as you felt if we'd defended those first 10 15 minutes of the half a result was on the cards.  Just defending too deep on a 2-0 lead and not for the first time this season.

Overall we defended reasonable well under pressure and the midfield did a hard shift putting their foot in.  Like Rangers we could have been better in possession but the guys worked hard off the ball.

I'm more or less the full pitch away from the Davie Cooper end so I can't say much about the disallowed goals but the first one looked very soft.

It seemed at times like the VAR officials were leaning a certain way and the Lennon Miller booking was ridiculous.

Clement made some major selection boo-boos today and the Rangers team that ended the match was miles better than the one that started it but we held on fairly comfortably and at least deserved a point.

 

 

[Ya Bezzer!]

7 minutes ago, texanwellfan said:

That’s this game and Killie game I’ve been left feeling like we lost. 
 Still onwards and upwards, let’s see about taking some points from our next 5 games in January. 

4 of them away from home.

SPFL can't even get fixtures right.  And guess what? Rangers and Celtic don't play 3 away from home in a row.

[SteelmaninOZ]

The gaffer said

 

[robsterwood]

I think it's about time we had financial fair play to degree they have in England. It's not unusual for Man Utd it City to loose to lower sides and it's making it much more competitive. It's not fair old firm hold this financial advantage in every season and gaps growing.  

[wellsince75]

22 minutes ago, SteelmaninOZ said:

The gaffer said

 

SK comes across as someone who needs to take a break - give the man a Kit Kat and a few days rest .

the constant complaining about decisions is nonsense .  I can see why Watts goal was disallowed - if that was in reverse we’d be complaining . 
 

very pleased at getting a point today, very decent result 

[AllyMax]

I still have an old account on a Rangers forum (that I opened up during the play off ties years ago) and if we take something off them, I go for a sneak peak to see their tears 🙂 They're howling for Butland to get dropped and Kelly brought in. Funny thing is, they make this forum look like Happy Clapper Heaven !!

[santheman]

I never feel comfortable even being 2 up against the Old Firm because you know they have quality on the bench if they need to change things up.

Was delighted when I saw Cerny and Igamane on the bench because they are Rangers 2 best players at the moment and Igamane single handedly got Rangers that point today.

If only we could have held them out for the first 20 mins of the 2nd half I'm pretty sure we would have held onto the 3 points but when they scored so early I felt we panicked a bit and retreated into our shell. I don't think anyone would have been surprised when the equaliser went in.

What impressed me was at that stage it would have been easy just to fold completely and let Rangers run over the top of us but credit to the boys they dug in and fought their way back into the game.

2 games in 4 days against the OF will no doubt take its toll physically and mentally which is something that shouldn't be overlooked.