Rangers vs Motherwell

Rangers welcome Motherwell to Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow on Saturday, September 5, 2026, for Scottish Premiership Round 6, with both clubs aiming to put their European disappointments behind them. Derek McInnes’s side were eliminated from the Conference League by FK Jablonec, while Stuart McLeish’s visitors also crashed out after a heavy aggregate loss to Freiburg. The focus now shifts to a domestic campaign where Rangers have taken just one point from their opening three league matches and Motherwell are still searching for consistency.

Team News and Injury Latest

Motherwell’s injury room is crowded. Keanu Baccus (Achilles), goalkeeper Ryan Mullen (thigh), Callum Hendry (knee), Jordan McGhee (hamstring) and Paul McGinn (knee) are all ruled out. There is better news for McLeish, however, with wide man Williams back off the bench in the last outing and European elimination removing the need for heavy rotation. Killian Phillips, who has already scored three goals across all competitions this season, is set to continue in an advanced midfield role behind the lone striker.

Rangers have no fresh injury worries reported, but McInnes has been vague about his strongest XI. The SPFL’s own fantasy scout described the Rangers lineup as “increasingly uncertain” after the Jablonec defeat, and further changes are expected. Tom Renaud’s availability is still unclear after he was stretchered off against Rapid Vienna, though the midfielder is a Hearts player, not a Rangers one — Rangers’ own personnel remain fit and available for selection.

Rangers and Motherwell Form Guide

Rangers are winless in the Premiership after drawing with St Mirren, losing to Aberdeen and losing again to Dundee United. A 1-0 reverse in Jablonec made it three straight defeats in all competitions. Motherwell have drawn half of their six top-flight outings this term (D L W W D D) and also fell 3-1 at home to Freiburg before the away leg confirmed their exit.

Key Battle: Killian Phillips vs Rangers’ backline

Phillips has been Motherwell’s bright spark, hitting the net three times already this season. He will look to exploit a Rangers defence that has kept just one clean sheet in five competitive matches — and that came against a side that failed to score in the Scottish League Cup. If Phillips can find space between the lines, Ibrox could grow restless.

What’s next for both sides

A first league win would lift Rangers away from the foot of the table and buy McInnes time ahead of a trip to Dundee in the next round. Motherwell can leapfrog several teams with a victory and ease any early relegation talk. The teams meet again at Fir Park in late November, but immediate league positions are now the overriding priority for both.