The Well striker pounced in the second minute after hesitation between Charlie Mulgrew and Hoops goalkeeper Fraser Forster to knock the ball into an empty net.

At the start of the second half, after Celtic left-back Emilio Izaguirre had been adjudged by referee Euan Norris to have fouled Motherwell skipper Keith Lasley in the box, Sutton blasted in the spot-kick to seal the points.

Nikica Jelavic then grabbed a double as Rangers steered their SPL title bid back on track by moving to within five points of Celtic again with a 4-0 win over St Johnstone.

Kyle Lafferty and Sasa Papac were also on the scoresheet on what was a comfortable afternoon at Ibrox.

With two games in hand over the leaders, the victory over Saints means the destiny of the championship is again back in Rangers' hands - if they can take maximum points from their outstanding fixtures.