Dundee United started brightly enough with a 3-5-2(5-3-2) formation in an attempt to frustrate the visitors.

Rangers intentions were very clear though, as they managed to push United back and keep them boxed in for most of the half . Barry Robson(played slightly out of position in a much deeper role)and Mark Kerr were both guilty of giving the ball away needlessly with either stray passes or getting caught in possession. Robson was also booked early on for diving inside the box, again.

Derek Stillie also look very nervous in goal early on, first of all completely mistiming an attempted punch clearance, then failing to grab the ball as it rolled across the face of goal, and he had to make a late dive as the ball he though was going out was actually goal bound.

The 2 best chances in the 1st half came to Rangers as a Barry Ferguson free-kick on the edge of the box hit the post after clearing the wall, and later with Stillie beaten Archibald made a goal line clearance when the ball was goal bound after hitting the back of Jeffers head.

The whistle at half time was no doubt a relief as Rangers had controlled most of the game so far and were unlucky not to be in the lead by at least a goal. And while a bit of luck played its part(something we haven't had much of recently)the United defence had done a decent job so far.

United came out with a much more attacking play in the 2nd half, Chisholm perhaps finally realising that having his team sit back too much has often been the cause of their demise. Fernandez in particular looked very deadly as he tormented the Rangers defence with his usual trickiness and creative play.

Francis Jeffers was hooked for Nieto on the 53rd minute and was probably glad, he did nothing the entire game to warrant staying on, and on the basis of this showing the 'fox in the box' may need to be put down. Rangers Chris Burke who had been decently marked by Robson in the first half, was replaced by Hamed Namouchi in the 62nd minute in an attempt to regain control of the game and secure all 3 points.

Rangers were showing signs of frustration as United started to gather steam, with Canero(playing on the right side of defence) and Wilson(who was in midfield)helping to bring the ball forward on the counter attack. Mcintyre, Robson and Fernandez all had chances but their shots lacked the power to test Watereus.

Mcintyre(who probably should have been hooked earlier)and Fernandez were both subbed on the 72nd minute for Colin Samuel and Lee Miller(who later wasted a mis-hit clearence by Rodriguez). The puzzling decision to replace Fernandez(one of our best players today)brought a chorus of boos from the United fans in attendance.

Samuel was definitely up for it though as he carried on where Fernandez had left of, speeding past the Rangers defence and holding up the ball well. He forced Waterreus to come off his line to clear a long ball, which landed for Robson, who skipped past a defender before launching a ferocious shot at the goal, and was only denied by a Rodriguez header on the line.

Ross Mcormick came on for Lovenkrands on 78 minutes but Rangers were already starting to look vulnerable as the confidence in United grew, and it only worsened for the blues when Kyrgiakos(already on a yellow)pushed Samuel in the back(when it was obvious he wasn't going to match him for pace)to earn his second yellow, which was long overdue anyway.

A few minutes later it was all over, Dundee United extended there unbeaten league record over Rangers to 6 games.

Summary- While the 1st 45 minutes belonged to Rangers and they were unlucky not to have been a goal up, the praise should rightfully go to Dundee United for a great 2nd half performance. The entire defence were excellent today as well, with some great man marking they showed the hunger and determination that has perhaps been lacking when facing the smaller teams.

This result and performance should go a long way to restoring some much needed confidence and self belief.

D Mason