Football: Rangers kept waiting by Coyle

Rangers 0 Motherwell

For Rangers, the championship champagne remains on ice after they failed to collect the point that would have given them their ninth successive title yesterday. The supporters turned up expecting a party, but the afternoon turned into a wake as Motherwell, who were second from bottom of the Premier Division, played with a confidence, skill and passion which has been missing from their game this season.

Smith felt his side never had their minds on the job, admitting: "Everyone was assuming we would win, take the title and go home happy. But we showed what can happen if you are not careful and you are not fully up for the game. It was all there for us. We just couldn't take it.

"People saw a similar situation earlier in the day with Manchester United and Middlesbrough. But we never really exerted any pressure late in the game like United managed to do, but that's our problem."

The flags were unfurled and the supporters filed silently away at the end reflecting no doubt that, for once, their favourites failed to deliver. The Rangers players expected the win to come but it was Motherwell who made it happen.

Owen Coyle scored the first goal in the seventh minute, sweeping the ball into the net from a centre by Ian Ross. The visitors continued to cause problems for the home side and there could have been more goals before the break for Motherwell.

Tommy Coyne headed over, Andy Dibble, the Rangers goalkeeper, pushed out an effort from Shaun McSkimming and Coyne, a former Celtic player, dallied when Dibble cleared to his feet.

In the opening period the only inspiration for Rangers came from Brian Laudrup who set up Mark Hateley, who headed against the crossbar, and then Jorg Albertz, whose powerful shot hit the post. The arrival of Paul Gascoigne at half-time promised more than it delivered, though mostly through the failings of others. Gascoigne played team-mates into the game and came close himself in the 62nd minute but there remained a lack of penetration.

The second goal came from the penalty spot in the 84th minute after Mickey Weir was fouled by Ian Durrant, with Coyle sweeping the ball into the corner of the net.

If the result was an acute disappointment for Rangers, it provided a lifeline for Motherwell who had occupied the relegation play-off place. If they had played with as much vigour throughout the season, they would have been in a comfortable position but are now level on points with both Hibernian and Kilmarnock, embroiled in a three-cornered dog-fight which will go to the last day.

The Rangers supporters will assemble at Tannadice on Wednesday in the hope their side can shake off their lethargy to make a date with history.

Rangers (3-5-2): Dibble; McLaren, Gough, Bjorklund; Cleland, Laudrup, Moore (Gascoigne, h-t), Albertz (Durrant, 78), Robertson; Durie (McCoist, 78), Hateley.

Motherwell (4-4-2): Howie; May, Van der Gaag, Martin, Ross; Weir, Valakari, McMillan, McSkimming (Burns, 80); Coyne (Arnott, 72), Coyle. Substitute not used: Philliben.

Referee: J Rowbotham (Kirkcaldy).