54-time Scottish champions Rangers were pegged back in their bid to return to the Scottish premiership after falling in the second leg of their playoff with Motherwell 3-0 to lose 6-1 on aggregate.
Sent to the country’s bottom tier of professional soccer in 2012 in order to liquidate assets amid financial troubles, Rangers had earned two consecutive promotions and this year qualified for the playoff final. But they’ve been sent back to the Scottish Championship for another season after the big loss.
With Rangers already in a big hole on aggregate as they took the field at Fir Park, Motherwell’s Marvin Johnson and Lionel Ainsworth both scored goals for the home side that deflected off Rangers defender Marius Zaliukas, and a third came in stoppage time via a John Sutton penalty.
After the final whistle, Motherwell’s Lee Erwin pushed Rangers substitute Bilel Mohsni in the back after the latter refused to shake hands, causing Mohsni to turn around and kick then punch Erwin, sparking a mass brawl on the field. Amid the chaos, three red cards were handed out and home supporters stormed the pitch to taunt Rangers players who eventually made their way to the tunnel.
Rangers interim manager Stuart McCall - who left his post at the helm of Motherwell just last November - will be hoping to earn the job on a permanent basis but this horrid defeat won’t do him any favors.