I remember when Gordon Strachan was Celtic manager I sat down for a long interview with him and we spoke about the impact a big crowd can make on an important match.

He said then that he believes it is overblown a lot and that a fan can't run on the park and score a goal.

But it does appear what is meant to be a help can become a hindrance when the going gets tough, and it certainly turned that way on Thursday night for the 49,000 Rangers supporters inside Ibrox.

Losing 3-1 to Motherwell in the Premiership play-off first leg, you did sense that the crowd weren't always a 12th man and sometimes the groans, gasps and frustrations seeped through.

Above all though, I want to say that it was a very able counter-attacking performance from Motherwell. Rangers did start well in the first 20 minutes, but Lee Erwin's opener had a demoralising effect on their opponents and Ian Baraclough's team took strength from it.

I think Motherwell were very good value for their win which sets up an intriguing second leg tomorrow at Fir Park.

Stuart McCall now has a massive decision to make in how he approaches this game.

There are two ways to go. One is to go hell for leather in search of an early goal which was the challenged faced by Hibs just a week ago. They pressed and probed but ultimately didn't get it and Rangers grew into the match.

The other option is to try and frustrate Motherwell and mount a late strike.

I remember during his time at Well on the last game of the season a year ago he took his team to Pittodrie needing a win to finish second over Aberdeen.

A lot of people said then an early goal and that would put fear into the Dons, but the tactics from Stuart that day saw Motherwell soak up the pressure, stay in the game then strike in the dying seconds.

It wouldn't surprise me if he did that again. With the away goal rule out of play, if they can wipe out the deficit in 90 minutes and take it to extra-time then they would take that.

It's not impossible, but it will take a lot. I believe that it is not enough for Rangers to perform, no matter how well they play. They are relying on Motherwell have an off day as well.

Much was made of the Lanarkshire side's wretched away record prior to Thursday, where they put in their best showing on the road for some time. But Motherwell's home record is actually very good.

Personally I've seen them thrash St Mirren, Hamilton and comfortably dispose of Kilmarnock in recent months without too much trouble.

It would take a drop in performance from Motherwell for the Fir Park fortress to fall, and to be honest I think they will probably do enough to get through.

However, as Hamilton showed us last year, anything can happen in a second leg and it will be fascinating to see how this one pans out.