Rangers batter Lyon, but couldn't beat Motherwell

So which is the question? How bad are Lyon? Or how good our Motherwell? Because, seen through the prism of playing the same opponents in 4 days, Mark McGhee is looking more and more astute, while Alain Perrin looks set for another sunrise sacking.

It wasn't as if Motherwell were holding onto their 1-1 draw either. In fact, it was Rangers who were chasing the game from the 23rd minute, only levelling through a Kris Boyd penalty after Motherwell had passed up a number of opportunities to extend their lead.

Mark McGhee deserves the manager of the month award. His team are a solid 5th in the SPL, with 13 points from 8 games, and through to the League Cup quarter finals. It's a night and day contrast with their start last season under Maurice Malpas. Malpas can complain that he deserved more time, but his team struggled at first and never quite lost that nervousness and scrappy play. This season, Motherwell are playing with verve and confidence in a bold 4-3-3 formation. They have produced arguably the performance so far (even better than Ranger's victory tonight) by knocking Hibs out of the League Cup. Clearly, McGhee has transformed the attitude of his squad.

He has had some backing from the board, too, with Chris Porter looking a particularly canny signing. But let's not go overboard. Long gone are the loud noises from Fir Park about becoming Scottish football's "third force". Administration and years of financial austerity have taught a tough lesson about speculating on success. Presumably, after a takeover collapse in the spring, the club is still up for sale. McGhee might have a bit more budget to play with, but he's not swimming in money. His rehabiliation of Ross McCormack is just as important as tasty new signings, the stiker almost unrecognisable from the young fella who failed to make an impact at Rangers.

Who knows where Motherwell's strong start will take them this season. But it's nice to see another Scottish club playing attacking and attractive football.