RANGERS will remain outside of the Scottish Premiership for at least a fourth year after they failed to even come close to the miracle they needed at Fir Park.

 

Motherwell's 3-0 victory in the second leg of the play-off final ensured they beat the drop to remain in the top flight.

The Ibrox side were already trailing 3-1 from the first half and faced an uphill task.

And the tie was virtually settled by a 52nd goal from Marvin Johnson, whose shot from outside the box took a deflection off Marius Zaliukas and looped over Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell.

Three goals behind on aggregate, there was no way back then for Stuart McCall's men after that - and they knew it.

Lionel Ainsworth made absolutely sure on 70 minutes when his shot beat Bell, again with the aid of a deflection off Zaliukas.

And, just to rub salt into the wound, John Sutton scored a penalty for the home side in injury-time.

Rangers had plenty of chances in the first half, the best falling to defender Zaliukas before half-time when he put his shot over the bar from a few yards out.

The Lithuanian, though, also fortunate not to be sent off for elbowing Stephen Pearson right in front of referee Craig Thompson.

Motherwell went close through Lee Erwin and Johnson before the break, however, the second-half belonged to them and their supporters looked ready to party for a long time.

As for Rangers, a lot of work has to be done and quickly if the club is to escape the Championship next season.