Rangers 1 Motherwell 3: McCall’s old side come back to haunt him

Rangers face being locked out of the Scottish Premiership for another 12 months after Motherwell grabbed a shock 3-1 first-leg lead in their Scottish Premiership play-off final.

The Light Blues are desperate to fight their way back to the top division after three years in the lower-league wilderness.

But it is Ian Baraclough’s team who now look set to preserve their 30-year top-flight run after goals from Stephen McManus and Lionel Ainsworth put daylight between the teams after Rangers defender Darren McGregor had earlier deflected Lee Erwin’s shot into his own net.

McGregor did pull one back for the hosts late on but they face a huge task if they are to rescue their promotion bid in Sunday’s Fir Park return.

Baraclough only took over the Lanarkshire outfit last December – a month after current Gers boss Stuart McCall walked away from the Well job with the side second bottom of the table.

McCall admitted facing his old side in the relegation decider was a “nightmare scenario” and his side have it all to do to stop his worst fears coming true.