Rangers maul Motherwell to go top

Rangers cruised back to the top of the Scottish Premier League with a 4-1 mauling of Motherwell at Ibrox. Doubles for Belgian international Thomas Buffel, shown here in August 2004, and Georgia's Shota Arveladze put Alex McLeish's side a point clear.

Rangers cruised back to the top of the Scottish Premier League with a 4-1 mauling of Motherwell at Ibrox.

Doubles for Belgian international Thomas Buffel and Georgia's Shota Arveladze put Alex McLeish's side a point clear, in their penultimate game of the season, with Celtic away to Hearts the following day.

However, a late own goal by Marvin Andrews could prove crucial at the end of the season.

Though the comfortable win meant Rangers increased their goal difference advantage over Celtic to five, the Parkhead side play Motherwell in the final game of the season and will fancy their chances of scoring a few goals against them if required to do so.

McLeish was happy with the win to keep the pressure on Martin O'Neill's side.

He said: "I'm delighted with the four goals and couldn't complain about the performance. It was a very hot day but the players went about their business in the right way and we got our reward.

"Last week against Hearts we were in control in the first-half but let them into it after half-time. But today we were in control throughout the game and I'm very satisfied.

"All we can do now is try and win against Hibs next week and hope Celtic slip up."

Rangers had opened the scoring in the 12th minute through Buffel when he latched on to a through ball from Michael Ball, held off the challenge of Motherwell defender William Kinniburgh, and slotted home from 12 yards.

And six minutes later they doubled their lead through Arveladze, playing his last game for Rangers at Ibrox before he is released at the end of the season.

The Georgian had cut in from his left-wing position and fired in a shot from the edge of the box which Marshall could only parry back into play. Dado Prso caught the ball on the byline, looked up and chipped it back across goal for Arveladze to smash into the net from eight yards.

Into the second-half Rangers increased their lead in the 53rd minute following a great run by Novo.

The Spaniard collected the ball on the halfway line, drove down the right-wing and cut it back for Arveladze to tap in from close range.

And three minutes later Rangers made it four when Buffel grabbed his second goal of the game. Novo played a deep cross to Prso who tapped it into the path of the Belgian to blast a powerful left-foot drive from the edge of the box into the bottom corner.

With only two minutes to go Motherwell put a dampener on things for the Rangers fans, making up the vast majority of the 49,495 crowd, when they scored a consolation.

Their seemed to be little danger when David Clarkson fired a hopeful ball across goal but Trinidad and Tobago defender Andrews seemed to lose his concentration and his attempted clearance diverted the ball past Dutch keeper Ronald Wattereus.

Motherwell's manager Terry Butcher believed injuries robbed his side of any real chance they had of causing an upset.

He said: "We had six of first-team players out and when that happens to a team like ourselves before we face a team like Rangers you fear the worst.

"That was the best side we could play in the circumstances and they played well, but it was a very inexperienced team and Rangers punished us for mistakes.

"The only positive thing about the game is it will be a good experience for the young players and we're just happy to be in the top six."

In the other SPL games on Saturday Aberdeen kept their UEFA Cup hopes alive with a 2-1 win over third placed Hibernian at Easter Road.

Darren Mackie had put the visitors ahead in the first-half but Derek Riordan equalised just after the break. Mackie then restored his side's lead with his second goal of the match to move the Dons within three points of the Hibees.

At Rugby Park second-half goals for Kris Boyd and Allan Johnston gave Kilmarnock a 2-0 home win against Livingston.

And Dundee drew 1-1 at home to Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Trinidadian defender Brent Sancho scored at the beginning of the second-half to put the dark blues ahead but Caley's super sub Liam Fox scored a last gasp equaliser to ensure a share of the points.