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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Paul Thomson

Rangers star Malik Tillman should have been brought down before goal, admits Motherwell's Ross Tierney

Motherwell winger Ross Tierney knows somebody should have taken one for the team in the build-up to Malik Tillman's goal that set Rangers on the road to victory in yesterday's Premiership clash.

But he insisted nobody expected the American international would end up scoring when he collected the ball inside his own half.

Tillman broke the deadlock at Fir Park when he burst forward, leaving five players, including Tierney, in his wake before slotting the ball past Liam Kelly.

From a Rangers point of view it was a moment of magic, but from Motherwell's it was a moment of madness as a clutch of players all failed to stick a boot in and make a professional foul.

Rangers doubled their lead when John Lundstrum's deflected header found the net after a Borna Barisic corner and despite a late rally when Stuart McKinstry's free-kick pulled one back with 13 minutes to go, it was too little too late for the Steelmen.

And the first goal really frustrates the Irishman.

Tierney told Lanarkshire Live Sport : "We are disappointed because we felt we had chances to win the game but it's two sloppy goals we've conceded.

"Against a team like Rangers, to concede two goals like that is a kick in the teeth.

"The first goal sort of flattened us and the second one is a set-piece that we shouldn't concede from.

"He [Tillman] sort of walks right through to our six yard box without anyone making a tackle, myself included.

"But against a side like Rangers, they've got players with that quality but it is still a soft goal.

"It was right when we were starting to get on top in the game.

"I was running behind him and I thought if I foul him here, it doesn't look like it is a big opportunity for them and I thought we had plenty of players behind the ball.

"But, obviously, everyone else's opinion was that somebody else was going to make a tackle and none of us took the responsibility to foul him.

"He's got into the six yard box without anyone making a foul so it's a decent goal on his part but not for us."

Ironically, with the game at 2-1, Rangers' Leon King committed a professional foul to stop the Steelmen in their tracks.

Motherwell pushed late on for an equaliser and McKinstry was denied an opportunity when King's high tackle prevented him getting through on goal.

Fir Park boss Steven Hammell reckoned the challenge alone warranted a red card, never mind for potentially denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

But with VAR not in force until next weekend, there was, of course, no review of the decision.

On that call, Tierney said: "I thought Stewy read the ball well and I think if the referee knows how quickly Stewy is then maybe it's a different decision.

"I haven't seen it back but it's one of those last ditch tackles and the referee was quick with the yellow card.

"It's unfortunate VAR isn't in until next week, but it's still two soft goals we have conceded.

"If they put ones in from 25 yards, you hold your hands up but that's not what it was so we are very disappointed with how we've conceded."

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

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