Rangers laboured to a narrow win over Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership to make it three wins from three since the international break.
Rabbi Matondo's first-half shot took a huge deflection off Cyriel Dessers for what would be the winning goal to settle a nervy Ibrox.
The visitors, who began the day third in the table, started the game confidently, but failed to convert their play into goals or capitalise on intense late pressure.
Michael Beale's side, who beat St Johnstone last weekend and then Real Betis on Thursday, leapfrog the Fir Park side in the table.
Keep up to date with RangersThe latest Motherwell newsReaction & as it happenedMotherwell started very brightly with Sam Lammers close to gifting a glaring chance before Callum Slattery found space and tried to bend one to the far corner. It was off target with Jack Butland exposed.
Rangers knew then they were in a game as they struggled to connect in key areas. On the first occasion they did, it paid off.
Nice interplay outside the area led to a powerful Matondo strike. It seemed to be arrowing slightly off target but struck Dessers, who seemed to be trying to evade it, and the ball flew high past Liam Kelly.
A much-needed stroke of luck that proved decisive. For Motherwell, luck proved elusive.
Rangers did engineer one or two good chances in the second half with Lammers volleying wide and Kelly denied Dessers and Lammers in quick succession.
However, they were so close to conceding several times late on with Butland superbly denying Oli Shaw and Brodie Spencer when a goal seemed certain.
James Tavernier then somehow bailed his side out, getting back on the line to knock Blair Spittal's shot away as Motherwell pushed on in an impressive display that deserved more.
Player of the match - John Lundstram
John Lundstram was the one standout for Rangers in a performance lacking quality. He offered impetus and drive to get things moving and drew the acclaim of a largely frustrated home crowd'Job done but more needed for Rangers' - analysis
Job done, points in the bag for Rangers but performance levels will need to be way, way better.
This was far from vintage against an excellent Motherwell side offering composure, a strong game plan and a nice balance of threat and solidity. They came ever so close to an equaliser with Rangers increasingly ragged as the clock ticked on.
Injuries, fitness and a tight schedule are hampering options at Ibrox in terms of chopping and changing the starters up top. The result seems to be impacting fluidity in the final third.
That may come in time, but it still feels like Dessers and Lammers lack a little bit of confidence and quality at times. There's also another injury blow to contend with after Matondo limped off in the opening half.
The reaction from both sets of fans at full-time said it all.
The visitors were never overawed, stayed in the game but just couldn't find that one moment of execution to get on level terms. They certainly had the chances.
What's next?
Rangers return to Viaplay Cup action on Wednesday (19:45 BST), looking to reach the semi-finals in another home fixture against Livingston.
Motherwell will look to find a formula to trouble a Celtic side who are clear at the top of the Premiership next Saturday (12:30.
Line-ups
Rangers
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Butland2Tavernier6Goldson26DaviesBooked at 90mins31Barisic15CifuentesSubstituted forRiceat 78'minutesBooked at 90mins4Lundstram17MatondoSubstituted forSouttarat 38'minutes14LammersSubstituted forRoofeat 78'minutes23WrightSubstituted forSimaat 67'minutes9DessersSubstituted forJackat 67'minutesSubstitutes
3Yilmaz5Souttar8Jack19Sima21Sterling25Roofe28McCrorie64Rice65LovelaceMotherwell
Formation 3-4-3
1Kelly16McGinn5Mugabi15CaseyBooked at 32mins2O'Donnell38MillerBooked at 58minsSubstituted forShawat 71'minutes12Paton22SpencerSubstituted forGentat 83'minutes8Slattery14BairSubstituted forWilkinsonat 79'minutes7SpittalSubstitutes
3Gent13Oxborough17Zdravkovski18Shaw19McGinley20Blaney23Wilson30Ferrie99WilkinsonReferee:Alan Muir
Attendance:48,539
Live Text
Match ends, Rangers 1, Motherwell 0.
Second Half ends, Rangers 1, Motherwell 0.
Attempt saved. Conor Wilkinson (Motherwell) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Stephen O'Donnell with a cross.
Connor Goldson (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Conor Wilkinson (Motherwell).
Foul by James Tavernier (Rangers).
Harry Paton (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Borna Barisic.
Bailey Rice (Rangers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Bailey Rice (Rangers).
Callum Slattery (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Ben Davies (Rangers) is shown the yellow card.
Offside, Motherwell. Conor Wilkinson tries a through ball, but Oli Shaw is caught offside.
Attempt blocked. Oli Shaw (Motherwell) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Foul by Ryan Jack (Rangers).
Callum Slattery (Motherwell) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Attempt blocked. Blair Spittal (Motherwell) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum Slattery.
Substitution, Motherwell. Georgie Gent replaces Brodie Spencer.
James Tavernier (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Brodie Spencer (Motherwell).
Player of the match
SpittalBlair Spittal
with an average of 7.00
Rangers
Squad number1Player nameButland
Squad number4Player nameLundstram
Squad number26Player nameDavies
Squad number5Player nameSouttar
Squad number14Player nameLammers
Squad number8Player nameJack
Squad number6Player nameGoldson
Squad number31Player nameBarisic
Squad number17Player nameMatondo
Squad number64Player nameRice
Squad number25Player nameRoofe
Squad number2Player nameTavernier
Squad number23Player nameWright
Squad number15Player nameCifuentes
Squad number9Player nameDessers
Squad number19Player nameSima
Motherwell
Squad number7Player nameSpittal
Squad number1Player nameKelly
Squad number38Player nameMiller
Squad number99Player nameWilkinson
Squad number8Player nameSlattery
Squad number5Player nameMugabi
Squad number22Player nameSpencer
Squad number2Player nameO'Donnell
Squad number3Player nameGent
Squad number15Player nameCasey
Squad number18Player nameShaw
Squad number12Player namePaton
Squad number14Player nameBair
Squad number16Player nameMcGinn