AASGAARD SEALS IT

But it's a day for the goalkeepers as Butland and Ward excel between the sticks

- BY RONNIE ESPLIN

IN SAFE HANDS Motherwell's Calum Ward denies Youssef Chermiti, while Jack Butland, right, made sure the Steelmen left with nothing

RANGERS leapfrogged Motherwell into third place in the William Hill Premiership with Thelo Aasgaard scoring the only goal of a lively game at Ibrox.

Gers keeper Jack Butland and his Well counterpart Calum Ward both made crucial saves before and after the Norway international broke the deadlock in the 67th minute with a tap-in to end the Steelmen's eight-game unbeaten run.

With league leaders Hearts losing 3-2 to Hibernian earlier in the day and second-placed Celtic winning 4-2 at Livingston, Rangers are nine points behind the Jambos with a game in hand, six behind their Old Firm rivals and two ahead of Motherwell, who had their chances to take something from Govan.