Bajrami ran the clock down with an unusual game-management tactic
Mischievous Nedim Bajrami adopted a new tactic to run the clock down against Motherwell - and by the time Stuart Kettlewell cottoned on, it was too little, too late.
Bajrami was the toast of the Rangers fans after his deflected winner teed up a return trip to the national stadium, where they will battle Celtic with much more than just the Premier Sports Cup on the line. It was far from vintage from the Ibrox side but they dug in after Andy Halliday's first half opener, Cyriel Dessers equalising after the break before Bajrami struck on 81 minutes.
That left Philippe Clement's team with nine minutes plus stoppage time to see out and Bajrami was up to some game management, we'll call it, late on. There were a few instances, after Rangers were given throw-ins on the left wing, in which he would immediately demand the ball back from the ball-boy, before palming it away with a wry smile to kill a few seconds.
It happened bang on 90 minutes with Jefte, who would typically take the eventual throw-in, in on the joke by that point. And it wouldn't be long before Motherwell boss Kettlewell also clocked it. On 95 minutes, the Well manager caught the ball and while his instinct was to get the ball straight back to the Rangers player to restart the game, when he saw it was Bajrami asking for it, he initially hesitated and pointed at him - a gesture that said 'I know what you're up to’.
But with no other Rangers player forthcoming, and the clock ticking down, he eventually relented and handed it over. And then Bajrami did exactly what he expected - dropped the ball and left it for Jefte to come and take it. Kettlewell, knowing the final whistle was imminent, could only laugh at the exchange.
Stuart Kettlewell Rangers FC Motherwell FC Philippe Clement Premier Sports Cup
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Stuart Kettlewell says officials 'acknowledged' Rangers foul in build up to goalThe Fir Park boss reckons Zach Robinson could have done down in the build up to Nedim Bajrami's goal
Read more »
Rangers are still favourites, but we can cause a cup upset, says Well bossStuart Kettlewell says his side believe they can beat Rangers, but it won't be easy
Read more »
Rangers escape mutiny as Bajrami and Cerny give fans a reason to believeTrailing 1-0 at half-time and with boos ringing round it was a comeback to savour against Motherwell.
Read more »
Nadim Bajrami insists sorry Steaua felt Rangers rage as he talks up IgamaneThe Albanian says Philippe Clement's players took their Kilmarnock frustration out on the Romanians
Read more »
Rangers shelve Ibrox upgrade plans as John Gilligan makes Hampden move admissionGers had to spend the first month of the season playing at the national stadium after a delayed steel shipment from China forced a multi-million pound project to improve facilities for disabled fans to be put on hold
Read more »
Rangers thug clashed with police after stolen St Johnstone drum sparked Hampden crowd disorderArran Watt got hold of a drum that had been violently snatched from a female St Johnstone worker. The incident sparked a disturbance with Rangers ultra group the Union Bears clashing with police.
Read more »