Make or break for Rangers - what next in Scottish title race?

Breaking news from the world of sport: Make or break for Rangers - what next in Scottish title race? By Nick McPheat Sport Scotland Published 6 minutes ago Not even a week ago, many had stuck the favourites' tag on Rangers for the Scottish Premiership title as the top three headed into their first round of post-split fixtures. Then Jens Berthel Askou's Motherwell rocked up at Ibrox.

The Fir Park side lived up to their billing as kingmakers in this gripping three-way fight for Scotland's top-flight crown by stunning Danny Rohl's men in an epic five-goal thriller . Celtic had done their job 24 hours earlier, dispatching Falkirk 3-1 , before Hearts fought back to overcome nine-man Hibernian in a fraught Edinburgh derby . That means Rangers, now in third, travel to the capital for a Tynecastle showdown on Monday (17:30 BST) with a four-point deficit to make up on the leaders.

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If Martin O'Neill's Celtic take care of business at Hibernian on Sunday (12:00), Rohl's side will also have a four-point gap to close on their city rivals. The Ibrox club are now in make-or-break territory as another blockbuster weekend in an unprecedented Premiership finale approaches. Rangers ready for must-win Hearts game - Rohl Published 1 day ago McInnes wants Tynecastle 'in full glory' for Rangers game Published 1 day ago Hibs fan views won't affect Celtic game - O'Neill Published 1 day ago Hearts await as Rangers hopes hang by thread Lucky to be only two goals down at the break, Rohl watched Motherwell boss Askou mastermind a stunning first-half display that highlighted and exploited the deficiencies in his side.

After fighting back from a two-goal deficit at Falkirk to win 6-3 in their previous outing, the German head coach stuck with the 4-2-2-2 system that has served him well. But Motherwell were able to outnumber Rohl's midfield completely, slicing through them at will time and again, while his full-backs were pinned back by Askou's wide forwards. It was a sobering first half for the Rangers boss, but his half-time switch to a 4-3-3 formation, along with the introductions of midfielder Mohamed Diomande and winger Mikey Moore, revitalised his team.

Although they were ultimately undone late on by a fearless Motherwell side after dragging themselves back to 2-2, the second-half display will have given Rohl some crumbs of comfort - but plenty to ponder before Monday's encounter with Hearts. Does he stick with the 4-2-2-2 shape, which was instrumental in Rangers' 4-2 victory over the leaders back in February, or is a rethink required? His decision-making may hinge on the availability of striker Ryan Naderi and left-back Tuur Rommens, who are key cogs in Rohl's preferred system.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.