RANGERS will unveil the league championship flag on Sunday when Motherwell visit Ibrox.

Three days on from a home defeat to Lyon, Steven Gerrard’s team are at the start of a busy cycle of three matches in six days.

Motherwell have started their league campaign impressively and will come to Ibrox confident. A fast start seems a necessity for Rangers in the context of the season so far.

Here’s everything you need to know about the team’s next opponents.

The season so far

Motherwell sit fourth in the Scottish Premiership, having won three, drawn one and lost the other of their five games in the league so far this season.

Graham Alexander’s side come to Ibrox on the back of three straight victories and beat Aberdeen 2-0 last time out. They have a non-penalty xG differance of -0.25 so far this term.

Rangers Review:

Last season, Motherwell gave Rangers two of the toughest matches of their campaign, a 1-1 draw at Fir Park and a hard-fought 3-1 win at Ibrox. Both of which featured unique tactics.

Former manager Stephen Robinson played a 5-5-0 in the latter mentioned match in Glasgow, tucking his two forwards infield to block either full-back and attack the subsequent space left in behind.

Rangers Review:

Having averaged 590 passes in the Scottish Premiership per game last season, Rangers totalled 735 in this encounter.

A 1-1 draw in Graham Alexander’s first match as Motherwell manager also featured interesting tactical tweaks to try and limit Rangers.

Alexander instructed his side to stay compact and allow the visiting team to cross the ball, as opposed to marking wider and trying to limit balls into the box.

This led to 49 crosses from Gerrard’s team, one of which was eventually converted by Cedric Itten.

Rangers Review:

What stands out stats-wise?

Rangers Review:

Motherwell have taken a below-average number of shots per game, but their above-average xG per shot suggests they are prioritising quality over quantity.

READ MORE: Steven Gerrard's Rangers should have started more aggressively - but Lyon's goals show they got their game plan right

Their shot map, which features a low number of efforts from outside the penalty area, backs this up. They also have the lowest average 'shot distance' in the league.

Rangers Review:

Rangers Review:

Motherwell have conceded an xG of 6.53 this season, placing them slightly higher than the league average.

Notably, they’ve conceded the most counterattack shots per 90 in the league.

Alexander has tended to set his team-up in a 4-3-3, with Tony Watt and Kevin Van Veen swithcing positions often.

Rangers Review:

A view from press box

Ben Banks is a journalist for GVR media and covers Motherwell regularly.

How would you sum up the team's season so far?

“There have been a few knocks along the way but overall I think it's been a positive campaign, in the league. The League cup was disappointing. Defeat to Airdrie did not go down well and the team as a whole toiled in stages against lower league clubs. Then they were booed off the park as Dundee eliminated them in the last 16. 

“Three wins in succession in the league has them in the top four and beating Rangers on Sunday would move them top, potentially. So in the league it has been going swimmingly and makes up for the poor League Cup run.”

How will Motherwell set up tactically?

"4-3-3 has been the formation of choice so far. It's often been Kaiyne Woolery on the right, that's been the one consistent. The rest of the front line has chopped and changed but Kevin Van Veen and Tony Watt interchanging between the centre and the left seems to be working best, when the latter is fit.

READ MORE: Stagnant Rangers need freshening up after lacklustre start to the season - Stevie Clifford

"In defence a variation of right-backs have been used with Stephen O'Donnell's injury. Bevis Mugabi's introduction at right-back has essentially made Motherwell a three-centre-back defence, but one of them pushes on a wee bit more. Callum Slattery is the midfield. He's the most tackled player in the league and has put in the second-most tackles. Liam Grimshaw helps out on the right when needed and O'Hara provides legs, alongside Grimshaw.

"Alexander has played 4-3-3 in every game he's played this season so I can't see him completely tossing out the working script. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. But that's not to say he won't, as we saw last season. Motherwell on the whole have liked to get the ball down and play when possible but have shown that they can do dirty work too when required."

Who should supporters be wary of?

"If Kevin Van Veen is on-form, then Rangers have a big problem. Alexander says his talent is 'god-like' and it's hard to disagree. Van Veen's technical ability, without wanting to sound disrespectful, is perhaps a level above SPFL football and the level he's been at down south, League One and Two.

"It's consistency and injury which has stopped him pushing on to a higher stage. But Motherwell fans are loving him and he's turning into a real cult hero. Arriving with the nickname 'Budget Bergkamp' helps!

"His goals have been of high quality and he can pick a pass anywhere on the pitch. If he's on it, he's Motherwell's main man. His technical ability matches the best in Scotland. I really like Slattery too, he's an all-action midfielder and can pop a ball too. And Liam Kelly, of course, on his return to Ibrox. He'll need to be on top form if Motherwell are to keep the backdoor shut - and he has been all season.”