By Paul Marshall
October 19 2003

Once again Butcher's babes produced the goods against one half of the Old Firm. The youngsters fought back from an early opener from Arveladze to draw 1 - 1 with Rangers, they were very unlucky not to take all three points after going close several times late on. Stephen Pearson was the star man for Motherwell against the SPL Champions, the 21 year old pulled Motherwell level only ten minutes after Arveladze had put the visitors in front. After the match Pearo said " It wasn't easy but I thought we fully deserved our win "


Motherwell started the match on the back foot and couldn't get out their own half for the first 15 minutes. It was then the defence finally caved in under the pressure. Striker Shota Arveladze latched on to a chip from his Georgian international team-mate to lob Gordon Marshall and at that point it looked like Rangers were going to cruise through the 90 minutes.


Motherwell then came into the match and started to create their own chances. Steven Craig was first to be denied a goal, he was unlucky after going one on one with Stefan Klos but the ex Falkirk hitman shot wide.


Stephen Pearson then pulled the Steelmen level when he latched on to a rebound from Klos, the midfielder was forced wide before firing it into the roof of the net.


Motherwell should have had a penalty when Fernando Ricksen obstructed striker David Clarkson off the ball in the 6 yard box but referee Dougie McDonald missed the incident.


Keith Lasley could have snatched maximum points which would have taken us to third place in the league. Craig hit a low cross which found Lasley at the back post only for the midfielder to blast wide past the post.


Terry Butcher told BBC cameras that the match was a great advert for Scottish Football and who would disagree ? it was played like a cup tie.


It's not the result Alex McLeish wanted before heading into Wednesday's Champions League tie with Manchester United ( Do we care ? NO !!! )The result also means Big Eck still hasn't won at Fir Park as Rangers Manager.





Motherwell



Marshall,

Corrigan,

Craigan,

Partridge,

Hammell,

Lasley,

Adams,

Leitch,

Pearson,

Craig,

Clarkson.



Rangers



Klos,

Berg,

Khizanishvili,

Moore,



Ricksen,

Arteta,

Emerson,

Ball,

Lovenkrands,

Arveladze,

Mols.


Referee Dougie McDonald




SPL Table



1 Celtic 25

2 Rangers 22

3 Dundee 14

4 Hearts 14

5 Livingston 12

6 Motherwell 12

7 Dunfermline 12

8 Hibernian 11

9 Kilmarnock 11

10 Dundee Utd 8

11 Aberdeen 7

12 Partick Thistle 2