The highly anticipated opening day of the Scottish Premiership season delivered instant drama as Motherwell secured a last-gasp equaliser against Rangers, culminating in a captivating draw that saw both teams share the points.

The late heroics came courtesy of Emmanuel Longelo, whose precisely executed finish in the dying moments of the second half capped a period of sustained pressure from the home side. This pivotal goal ignited the crowd and denied the visitors a clean sheet on their travels.

Rangers had initially asserted their authority on the match, demonstrating sharp attacking intent in the opening stages. New signing Djeidi Gassama, making his inaugural start since transferring from Sheffield Wednesday, showcased glimpses of his potential, while Danilo came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock, striking the crossbar with a powerful effort.

The Glasgow giants continued to probe Motherwell’s defence, with debutant Lyall Cameron unleashing a formidable strike from the edge of the penalty area. However, his effort was expertly parried away by Motherwell’s vigilant goalkeeper, Calum Ward, maintaining parity in the early exchanges.

Motherwell, not to be outdone, also carved out significant opportunities to seize the lead. Apostolos Stamatelopoulos was particularly unfortunate, seeing his header sail agonisingly wide of the target after a well-delivered cross, a moment that could have dramatically altered the match’s trajectory.

The contest evolved into a tactical battle, with both sides displaying resilience and attacking ambition. The midfield tussle was intense, as each team sought to control possession and dictate the tempo, leading to an end-to-end spectacle that entertained the expectant crowd.

Ultimately, the shared spoils will leave both managers with aspects to ponder, but also positives to take from their first competitive outing. For Motherwell, the resilience shown to grab a point against a formidable opponent will undoubtedly boost morale, while Rangers will reflect on missed opportunities but also the promise shown by their new acquisitions. This thrilling encounter sets a compelling tone for the rest of the Scottish Premiership campaign.