McGregor preserves Rangers´ unbeaten record

Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor saved Jim O’Brien’s late penalty to gain a 0-0 draw for the Scottish champions against Motherwell on Saturday.

Walter Smith’s side looked set for a first defeat of the campaign when Madjid Bougherra conceded a penalty four minutes from full-time at Fir Park.

Bougherra was sent off as he protested against referee Dougie McDonald’s decision but the Rangers defender needn’t have worried as McGregor brilliantly kept out O’Brien’s spot-kick.

McGregor’s late heroics allowed his team to move one point clear at the top of the table, but Celtic could go above their Glasgow rivals with a victory over Dundee United later on Saturday.

Smith had handed a debut to new signing Jerome Rothen after the French winger’s loan move from Paris St Germain on transfer deadline day.

Rangers had the first real chance of the game when Kenny Miller tried his luck with a shot from inside the box but goalkeeper John Ruddy managed to usher the effort past the post.

But Motherwell had a sight of goal when Ross Forbes curled in a free-kick and John Sutton headed just past a post.

Sutton then appealed in vain for a penalty as Sasa Papac blocked off the forward.

Rangers could have snatched the lead shortly before the break when a Steven Davis ball into the box intended for Kris Boyd broke to Miller and he rifled it just over the crossbar.

Bougherra then saw his header from a Rothen free-kick blocked by the legs of Ruddy.

It took a fine stop from McGregor to keep his side level early in the second half as he pushed away Steve Hammell’s effort.

With an hour gone, Smith replaced Miller and Rothen made way for Nacho Novo and Steven Naismith.

Naismith was immediately involved as he tried to tap in from close range, only to see his shot scrambed clear.

Novo and Naismith then combined well with a lovely one-two before Novo unleashed a ferocious shot from just inside the box that Ruddy did well to turn past the post.

Instead it was Motherwell who could have snatched victory when McDonald pointed to the penalty spot after ruling that Bougherra had fouled substitute Lukas Jutkiewicz in the box.

Bougherra was shown two yellow cards in quick succession after complaining about the decision before McGregor dived to his left to save the day.