At half-time, Motherwell looked poised to hand Rangers yet another League Cup upset. Having previously bested them 2-0 in the 2017 semi-final, Motherwell led going into the break and were in strong form.
Their goal had fans at Ibrox growing restless, and the longer they held their lead, the more pressure they piled on their opponents.
However, a timely Rangers goal just after the break shifted the momentum. The Govan side, rocked but not broken, responded with the resilience needed to claw back control.
Stuart Kettlewell’s Motherwell side, despite the loss, showed precisely what they’re capable of.
Operating on a limited budget, Kettlewell has instilled a structure and style that make his side both effective and dangerous.
Their spirited display offered a glimpse of their potential, as they came close to pulling off another memorable upset.
Among Motherwell’s standout performers was their 18-year-old captain, Lennon Miller, who displayed flashes of his considerable talent throughout the match.
Goalkeeper Aston Oxborough was another to shine, producing key saves at critical moments.
While they may see this as a missed opportunity, the Steelmen can draw plenty of encouragement from their showing, which highlighted the quality they have in their ranks.
The decisive goal may have been tinged with misfortune for Motherwell, but they will take enormous credit from their battling performance as they look ahead to the next stage of their campaign.
On the other side of Glasgow, Celtic midfielder Arne Engels has already set his sights on the League Cup final next month.
Following Celtic’s emphatic 6-0 demolition of Aberdeen, Rangers’ narrow victory over Motherwell has set the stage for a blockbuster Glasgow Derby showdown at Hampden in December.
Posting on Instagram, Engels made it clear Celtic are gearing up for the final, eager to capture their first silverware of the season.
Since joining from Augsburg over the summer for a hefty £11 million, the Belgian has stepped into Matt O’Riley’s role, contributing three goals and five assists in 12 games.
Engels has rapidly justified his price tag with impressive displays, such as his showing in the rout of Aberdeen.
Now, Celtic’s attention turns to the Champions League, with RB Leipzig visiting Glasgow in their next fixture.
Engels, who has previous experience facing Leipzig from his Bundesliga days, will look to impress again as he continues to develop under Brendan Rodgers, alongside seasoned teammates like Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate.