Watch out Rangers, says Motherwell star Tawanda Maswanhise as Steelmen eye upset in opener
Motherwell hero Tawanda Maswanhise has issued a 'watch out Rangers' rally cry as the winger hopes to keep his form run going in Saturday's Premiership opener.
Russell Martin brings his Rangers side to Fir Park for the 5.30pm showdown, and Maswanhise is looking to exploit as many weaknesses as he can.
Zimbabwean Maswanhise was looking to build on last season's tally of six goals, and has four already from the Premier Sports Cup group stages.
Doubles in an opening game draw at Clyde and last Tuesday's 3-0 home victory over Morton to win Group G have the winger absolutely flying, and he hopes to continue that against the Ibrox giants - a side the Steelmen have beaten twice and drawn with once in their last five meetings.
Maswanhise, 22, said: 'It's watch out Rangers! We've got to focus on that, find out the weaknesses in their team, and I'll be looking forward to that.
'That's going to be a massive game for us, and we're all preparing for that right now.
'I love scoring goals and it was a good team performance against Morton, so I'm ready for the next one.'
Maswanhise took a Liam Gordon through-ball in his stride before curling a low shot past Morton keeper James Storer to put Motherwell 2-0 up, adding to Apostolos Stamatelopoulos' opener.
Three minutes into stoppage time, Maswanhise then took a pass on the left wing, checked inside and curled an unstoppable shot into the top right corner from 25 yards out.
Maswanhise purred: 'I love scoring goals, and it was a good team performance, so I'm ready for the next one.
'I didn't know the second one was going in, I hit it and hoped, so I was happy with the goal.
'I'm delighted for the boys and the club that we topped the group, with 11 points in total, so I'm really happy with the win and the three points, and I'm looking forward to the first game of the season.'
Maswanhise, who is contracted until the end of this season, is well on his way to topping last season's total and will reassess his target. For now, he's enjoying life under new boss Jens Berthel Askou.
He said: 'It's all about setting small targets each week, and I'm getting closer already, so the main focus is on wins and goals.
'I'm learning the new manager's system, so I've got to keep going, and hopefully I can create more and score more.'
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To be fair, Aberdeen and Hibs have done too but both could have the distraction of European football. Plus, the Derek McInnes factor allied with the new additions could be a marriage made in heaven down Gorgie way. Surprise package: Livingston - I like some of the business David Martindale has done and expect them to stay up comfortably. Relegated: Dundee - The sacking of Tony Docherty screamed of poor judgement at the time and the optics of making an unpopular appointment in Steven Pressley only deepened that feeling. Their shambolic Premier Sports Cup campaign has done nothing to assuage fears for their season ahead, either. Promoted: Ross County - The recruitment of the likes of Ross Docherty and Declan Gallagher is very impressive for the Championship and the Staggies still have Ronan Hale to bang the goals in, unless that changes before the window closes. St Johnstone will push them close but County should get over the line League Cup winner: Hearts Scottish Cup winner: Rangers Best signing: Benjamin Nygren - The fee plays a part here as Celtic were able to get the Swede for a bargain £1.7 million due to his contract status at Nordsjaelland. He could be a star in this Celtic team and anyone leading the way for the champions is in this discussion, especially at that snip of a price. **Islam Chesnokov could take this accolade if Hearts can get him in this summer** Player of the season: Benjamin Nygren - As above Manager of the season: Derek McInnes - If my predictions of Hearts finishing a comfortable third and winning a League Cup come true, then it has to be McInnes. He already has them looking fit and bang up for it and he looks like the man they needed at this time. Ryan McGinlay Premiership winner: Celtic, though we may actually have a title race on our hands in Scotland this year. Third place: If it all clicks for Derek McInnes and his analytically fuelled revamp in Gorgie, then Hearts will finish best of the rest. Surprise package: Falkirk. A fun side to watch, I don't think they will make top-6, though they will stay up comfortably under John McGlynn. Expect offers to come in for their manager if he does well in the top-flight. Relegated: Livingston. A big ask for David Martindale's side, though I think they will be a tough side to beat, especially at home on their new pitch. Promoted: Ayr United. Scott Brown and his [[Celtic]] B contingent look strong this season. The league is up for grabs, and don't be surprised if the play-off winners go up, too. League Cup: Celtic, as they will be hungry to avenge their last visit to Hampden. Scottish Cup: Hearts, provided Tony Bloom's recruitment has clicked into gear at Tynecastle. Best signing: Benjamin Nygren. The signs looked good in pre-season for the Swede at Celtic. Time will tell if he can replicate that in competitive action this year. Player of the Season: Reo Hatate (if he stays). If he stays fit and locked-in as we have seen in glimpses over the years, then he could be in for his most eye-catching season yet at Celtic. Manager of the Season: Derek McInnes. I think he will do a good job at Hearts, with a potential cup run/win cementing his status as one of the league's best managerial operators.
