Motherwell 0-2 Rangers: Tavernier and Waghorn seal points for visitors

Goals from James Tavernier and Martyn Waghorn ensured Rangers started their season with a 2-0 Betfred Cup win over Motherwell at Fir Park.

The sides were locked in a stalemate at half-time with the hosts having had a number of early chances to take the lead but it was Mark Warburton's team who rallied after the interval to claim three points in the all-Premiership Group F clash.

Despite a nervy start, Tavernier's goal three minutes after the break set his side up for the rest of the match with Rangers dominating proceedings in the second 45 minutes before Waghorn's strike in injury time.

There was a familiar look to the Rangers side which started the game, with new signings Clint Hill, Josh Windass and Niko Kranjcar named on the bench.

Motherwell nearly opened the scoring just a minute in when Marvin Johnson got free down the left hand side and his low cross found Lionel Ainsworth unmarked at the back post, but his effort was cleared off the line by Andy Halliday.

A few minutes later a misunderstanding between Tavernier and Wes Foderingham presented a chance to Scott McDonald, who got on the end of a slack back pass, but he could not lift his close range effort over the Rangers goalkeeper.

The visitors' first sight of goal came shortly afterwards following some patient build-up play, with Harry Forrester laying the ball off to skipper Lee Wallace, whose effort was always rising over the bar.

Motherwell were keen to capitalise on a decidedly slack start by the Rangers backline and had another opportunity when Ainsworth found the run of Chris Cadden but he dragged his effort wide.

The home side went close again after 18 minutes when McDonald's cushioned knock on found Johnson but his effort from the edge of the box was pushed wide by a diving Foderingham.

Rangers were dominating possession while the hosts looked more dangerous on the break. Waghorn produced a good fingertip save from Craig Samson after getting on the end of Barrie McKay's pass before Kenny Miller was guilty of missing a free header at the back post.

With eight minutes remaining in the half McDonald had another outstanding chance to give his side the lead as he got away from Rob Kiernan at a set-piece but he could not connect properly with the cross.

Rangers finished the half well with intricate link-up play between McKay, Waghorn and Miller allowing the former Scotland striker to get a shot away which failed to trouble Samson before Waghorn's spectacular first-time volley a few minutes later just dipped over the bar.

The visitors took the lead three minutes into the second half when Waghorn found space on the right hand side of the box before laying the ball off for Tavernier, who guided a curling effort into the top corner.

Rangers looked to double their lead 10 minutes later when goalscorer Tavernier went on another powerful run before cutting the ball back for Forrester, whose effort crashed off the bar.

Miller and Forrester made way for Michael O'Halloran and debutant Kranjcar on the hour mark but the new signing scuffed a chance with his first touch of the ball after being set up by Wallace.

With Motherwell being hemmed in, substitute Louis Moult and Johnson tried to get their side going but could not trouble Foderingham with efforts.

McKay should have then secured the points with 20 minutes remaining. O'Halloran picked up the ball after a good run by substitute Windass but his effort was saved by Samson, who pushed the ball out to the Scotland winger but he skied the rebound over the bar.

Moult nearly made McKay pay for that miss a minute later but the striker could not guide his header on target after beating Kiernan in the air before McDonald fired just wide for the hosts.

Goalkeeper Samson was lucky to stay on the pitch in the latter stages as he came rushing out to meet Waghorn and appeared to handle the ball outside his box but referee Steven McLean was unmoved.

The referee was in the spotlight again with three minutes remaining when Well defender Ben Heneghan appeared to handle the ball in the box, McLean not pointing to the spot.

However, Waghorn sealed the win for Rangers in style in injury time when he cut inside and curled a left footed effort in off the post from outside the box.