Dundee Utd0–3Rangers

United failed to test Rangers resolve and the Ibrox men ran out comfortable winners on a disappointing night for over 8000 Arabs. The formbook suggested that the home side could make life difficult for the reigning champions, but this simply and inexplicably failed to materiatise, with United strangely subdued and Rangers dominant almost throughout. Manager Craig Levein made four changes from the weekend, with Scott Robertson. Myrie-Witliams and Casalinuovo all dropping onto the bench while Andy Webster was unavailable for selection due to the terms of his loan deal. In came Darren Dods and Danny Cadamarteri as well as both Prince Buaben and Morgaro Gomis who shook off minor injury concerns to feature.

Despite earlier predictions, the two teams took to the field in front of a large crowd of over 10,000, swelled mostly by home supporters who outnumbered the Rangers fans by a factor of four. A robust start to the match saw a number of heavy challenges before Danny Cadamarteri was the unfortunate player to pick up a harsh booking for a foul on Lee McCutloch who had already committed far worse. Nicky Weaver had to look lively to stop a good effort by Beasley and then recover in time to stop Boyd pouncing on the rebound. Lee McCulloch also tried his tuck long range but his shot sailed wide. It took United some 20 minutes to force a series of concerted attacks and from one there were muted appeals for a penalty when Jan Daly went down under a challenge by two defenders in the box. It then looked as if Garry Kenneth had made the breakthrough when he powered a Paul Dixon comer over the line. However, the referee blew for an infringement against Kovacevic. Another good delivery, this time by Craig Conway, saw Jon Daly lose his marker and rise to shape a header. With Arabs on their feet to celebrate a certain goal, the big striker directed his header straight at keeper Alexander. United were made to pay for these missed opportunities when Rangers took the lead in 27 minutes. Beasley accepted the ball from a throw on the right and curled in an audacious left foot shot over Weaver and into the far, top corner of the net. From then until the half time whistle, Rangers were very much in the ascendancy and United had narrow escapes from Beasley and Boyd who both went close to adding further goals.

It was no surprise therefore that the manager made a change at the interval, bringing midfielder Scott Robertson on for Kovacevic and moving Sean Dillon from midfield to right-back. Robertson made a promising start, playing a perfect pass left to Conway, who picked out Daly inside the box but the Irishman couldn't get a decent shot away. Daly then went a lot closer still when he got a glancing header from a Dixon comer. However, despite United's more promising start to the half, it was the visitors who doubled their tally in 58 minutes. Novo got the break of the ball as he took on Dillon on the left wing and crossed for Kenny Miller who had a simple free header from just six yards out. Weaver then saved again from a Boyd header as United were put under constant pressure before Miller sealed the game with a third goal after 74 minutes. Beasley played the ball inside from the right before the Rangers striker turned past Robertson with the aid of a deflection before slotting past Weaver from eight yards. With the game all but lost the Terrors kept plugging away, but it was simply not their day as the game ended in disappointing defeat.