Rangers0–2Dundee Utd

United boss Alex Smith promised a positive approach at Ibrox as his team resumed their battle for surviral. He stressed the need for his players to show the belief that they could go to Glasgow and get a result. This was reflected in his team selection as he opted to start with three strikers. There was a start for loan signing Paul Robinson, who lined up alongside Jim Hamilton and Derek Liltey in attack. Despite the recent Cup success over Rangers, this was always going to be more difficult as Dick Advocaat welcomed back first team regulars such as Reyna, Albert, Wallace, Vidmar and Tugay.

United opened up the game with Hamilton being flanked up front by the pacy duo of Lilley and Robinson as United went in search of an excellent start. However, it was young keeper Gallacher who got an early touch in the 5th minute, coming out to catch a Reyna cross comfortably. It was the home side who looked like scoring first v/hen Wallace headed wide from an Albertz cross in the 18th minute. Just seven minutes later Gallacher had to look lively to save a deflected effort from around 20 yards, In 19 minutes United created their first good chance with an excellent move. Miller sent Robinson clear down the right wing and he fired over a fine cross which took Klos right out of the game, but the in rushing Hamilton just arrived too late to connect otherwise a goal seemed certain. On the half hour mark United went even ctoser to scoring the opener in an almost identical move. This time Lilley running onto to Eastons through ball before crossing from an almost impossibie angle at the right hand comer flag. His cross went right to the head of Miller who looked certain to score from 10 yards but he directed his header straight at Klos. In the 32nd minute Gallacher produced a moment of goalkeeping magic when he tipped a fine Wallace volley from 12 yards over the bar and duly, received the applause of his team mates.

The second half was a very open affair with both sides trying to find the vital opening goal. In the 66th minute Fernandes looked to have done just that when he struck a superb shot against the bar from 30 yards with Gallacher beaten. Just four minutes later United took the lead with a brilliant goal. It began when Buchan played Robinson in down the left and the former Newcastle player turned inside Wilson before crossing for sub Steven Thompson to glance a fine header in off the back post. This gave United a tremendous boost and the confidence just oozed through the side with Easton, Griffin and Miller totally dictating the game to such an extent that Rangers failed to create another chance in the match. This caused much annoyance throughout what was left of the home support. Things got even better for the Tangerines in the 78th minute when Derek Lilley made it 2-0. He chased a long ball from Lauchlan, beat Konterman in a 50-50 challenge before smashing a superb left foot shot past Klos to kill the game for United.