Rangers Overcome Motherwell in Second-Half Comeback to Reach League Cup Final

Reigning champions Rangers secured a place in the Scottish League Cup final against Celtic by staging a second-half recovery, with Nedim Bajrami’s late deflected shot ultimately proving decisive. Motherwell had appeared poised to intensify the pressure on manager Philippe Clement, following a series of disappointing results. Despite Rangers having the upper hand in the initial stages, they fell behind when former Ibrox midfielder Andy Halliday stretched to volley the ball past Jack Butland, after Jefte misjudged Steve Seddon’s excellent cross from the left. Halliday’s celebration against his former club was subdued, while everyone else in claret and amber celebrated wildly at the prospect of a memorable victory. They maintained their defensive shape early on as Rangers failed to launch the kind of intense offensive one might anticipate. Connor Barron came close with an effort from outside the box, but the loud boos that greeted Nick Walsh’s half-time whistle were highly indicative of the mood. Rangers’ second-half turnaround was both rapid and essential. Cyriel Dessers, who had earlier missed a clear close-range chance, changed the game when he converted Barron’s cross, thereby ending his run of eight games without a goal. Aston Oxborough made an excellent save to deny Jefte, diverting the Brazilian’s volley onto the post. James Tavernier shot high over the bar, Bajrami failed to score from close range, and Oxborough again brilliantly thwarted Vaclav Cerny as Motherwell defended with immense determination. However, following effective play from Cerny on the right, Bajrami’s deflected attempt deceived Oxborough, allowing Clement’s side to do enough to avoid another damaging outcome.