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Rangers show no signs of relenting in three-way title race as Dundee United eventually put to bed at Ibrox
Rangers moved top of the Scottish Premiership table courtesy of a 4-2 win against Dundee United, as Storm Dave failed to blow their title quest off course.
Danny Rohl’s side entered the driver’s seat in an enthralling title race on goal difference prior to second-placed Hearts’ clash with Livingston on Easter Sunday, courtesy of goals from Ryan Naderi, Dujon Sterling, Thelo Aasgaard and Bojan Miovski. Amar Fatah and Zac Sapsford netted for the visitors in what was a hard-fought victory that moved Rangers into pole position for the first time since March 2024. Falkirk’s 3-2 win at Motherwell meanwhile confirmed Dundee United’s position in the bottom six as top half ambitions ended.
Head coach Rohl has patched up a squad that was deemed below standard in some quarters earlier in the season, unable to see out games from winning positions under previous boss Russell Martin, and talk of the title was far away. He branded the three-way battle with Hearts and Celtic amongst ‘the most exciting in Europe’ during his pre-match press conference and few can argue with that sentiment. He also referenced that he wanted his players to retain the mindset of ‘hunters’ but they shift to the role of leaders, at least for a day, amid the wind and rain.
Ryan Naderi takes the acclaim of the Rangers fans after breaking the deadlock against Dundee United | SNS GroupIt was Rangers’ turn to go first on this occasion, tasked with something they had failed to achieve so far this term, beating a dogged Tangerines outfit after both previous meetings ended in 2-2 draws. Jim Goodwin’s men arrived in Govan buoyed by defeating Celtic last time out and hoped to kick off their post-international break schedule with another win over an Old Firm side.
The onus was on the hosts in front of an expectant Ibrox crowd, who were well aware that Hearts were not in action, and Celtic were also due at Dundee the following day. In contrast, Dundee United faced a headache of a different kind. They knew they needed to win, and hope Motherwell defeated Falkirk at Fir Park, were a top six race to go into a final day shootout through a three-point gap between sixth and seventh.
The match started frantically with chances at either end. The best of those fell to Naderi, who flashed a header from Andreas Skov Olsen’s cross narrowly past the post. United posed a threat on the counter-attack but shot themselves in the foot on the half hour mark following a blunder by Ashley Maynard-Brewer. The visiting keeper was caught two minds over Aasgaard’s speculative effort, electing to push it to the back post where the lurking Naderi was waiting to tap home his first league goal since arriving in January.
Sterling added a second ten minutes later after Aasgaard’s cross from the left found Skov Olsen, whose header was blocked. The full-back was on hand to divert the loose ball home, despite the best efforts of Iurie Iovu trying to stop it creeping over the line.
Dujon Sterling wheels away in celebration after doubling Rangers lead against Dundee United | SNS GroupUnited responded well and hit back on the stroke of half-time when Emmanuel Agyei threaded a clever pass through to Fatah, who stepped inside John Souttar, before slotting low into the far corner. Any hope of a second half comeback faded within seven minutes of the restart. Aasgaard finished off a well-worked move involving half-time replacement Djeidi Gassama at the back post to restore Rangers’ two-goal cushion.
The visitors refused to buckle as Rangers passed up a string of chances to kill the game, most notably when Youssef Chermiti failed to find a way past the keeper from a one-on-one situation. A nervousness had suddenly descended on Ibrox as Sapsford handed United the lifeline they desperately craved after turning home Luca Stephenson’s low cross with 18 minutes remaining.
It was game on again as Iovu saw a headed effort tipped onto the post by Jack Butland and United were pressing forward in search of an equaliser. It wasn’t forthcoming as Chermiti teed up substitute Miovski, who wrapped up three precious points with a shot from the edge of the box via a slight deflection.
With the top three separated by only five points, an exciting climax lies in store, for a season that is generating attention across Europe. Rangers found themselves on the back foot from the outset but now the complexion of the league has changed entirely. Write them off at your peril as six games remain. There is little room for error heading into the home straight but one suspects Rangers title charge is gathering pace at just the right time. Over you to Hearts and Celtic...