BBC Sportscene pundit says Mikey Moore can't do things like this if Rangers want to win title

Rangers have been told that if they want to win the Scottish Premiership, gilt-edged chances like Mikey Moore’s against Motherwell have to go in.

Rangers’ title hopes were dented on Sunday at Ibrox after Motherwell claimed a stunning 3-2 win, while Hearts came from behind to beat rivals Hibernian 2-1 to go three points clear of Celtic.

Motherwell looked to be cruising to victory after first-half strikes by Lukas Fadinger and Longelo, before Rangers rang the changes in the second half and came out a different side.

Youssef Chermiti and Nico Raskin drew Rangers level as Danny Rohl‘s team sensed another comeback win, only for Longelo to score again in the 90th minute.

Rangers had enough chances to win the game, with former Scotland international Kevin Thomson highlighting Moore’s spurned late chance when he had the goal at his mercy.

Missed chances hurting Rangers

Both Thomson and former Rangers star James McFadden conceded that Motherwell were worthy winners for how they went about their business on Sunday.

Thomson pointed out how Rangers were too passive in possession for much of the game, and their Achilles heel was getting caught on the counter.

After Motherwell’s third goal, Rangers still had time to grab an equaliser. Calum Ward made a smart stop to keep out Chermiti’s effort before the loose ball fell to Moore, but he could only blaze over the bar.

The ball just wouldn’t sit for the Tottenham loanee, but if Rangers want to claim their first league title in five years, they have to be more clinical.

Thomson said on BBC Sportscene, “If you want to win a title, chances like this [Moore’s] have to go in the net.

“From Rangers’ perspective, to be played through so easily at Ibrox, I am pretty sure it’s a real frustration for Danny Rohl and his men.

“This happened too often. How Motherwell countered Rangers, it was just so easy. The biggest Achilles heel for Rangers was how passive they were in possession. They allow Motherwell’s players to travel so far up the pitch.”

Rangers face tall order to win title

Rangers’ defeat and Celtic’s win on Saturday saw the Bhoys overtake Rohl’s team into second with four matches to go.

The Gers are now four points behind Hearts and one adrift of Celtic. To make matters worse, Rangers are away to both teams in the coming weeks.

Rangers came from two goals down to thump Falkirk 6-3 before the post-split fixtures. But they gave themselves too big a mountain to climb against a high on confidence Motherwell.

McFadden added that Rangers were much improved in the second 45, but they cannot afford to put in bit-part performances.

It’s now looking more than likely that Rohl will need wins at Tynecastle and Parkhead if he wants to secure the Scottish Premiership title in his first months in charge.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.