Rangers put in a much improved second half performance to defeat Dundee United at Tannadice and narrow the gap with league leaders Celtic to ten points. 

Despite the scoreline, United had the better of Rangers in the first half and Sam Dalby continued his fine goalscoring season to take advantage of some haphazard clearing in the box to fire his side ahead.

Almost against the run of play, Mohamed Diomande thunderous effort from outside the box swerved past Jack Walton to level with just under ten minutes to go until the break.

The visitors came flying out the traps as Robin Propper’s blasted shot found itself deflected past Walton by Kevin Holt’s flying block.

Following up his goal at Old Trafford, Cyriel Dessers’ fine strike sealed the three points with minutes left to play.

With the game still at an impasse Dalby beat Butland with a header only to see his effort come off the post.

Luca Stephenson forced the Rangers keeper into a save as United continued to dominate the opening exchanges.

Looking to regain the lead in the second half, Dalby came close once again but was denied from a metre by the shot stopper.

Rangers began to grow into the game, Dessers and Nedim Bajrami both denied with their first attempts by Walton.

After going a goal down, Jim Goodwin’s men were unlucky not to equalise, striking the woodwork yet again with Kai Fotheringham’s attempt.

Hitting the post moments earlier himself, Diomande ended an otherwise positive afternoon in slightly sombre fashion as he saw red for raising his hand and making contact with Holt’s face.

Line-ups:

Dundee United: Walton, Ferry, Holt, Gallagher (c), Strain, Middleton (van der Sande 81), Sevelj, Stephenson (Fiorini 81), Fotheringham (Trapanovski 62), Paton (Moult 62), Dalby Unused subs: Adegboyega, Babunski, Harding, Graham, Richards

Booked: Ferry, Middleton, Gallagher, Holt

Goals: Dalby (19)

Rangers: Butland, Jefte, Nsiala, Propper, Tavernier (c), Raskin, Diomande, Bajrami (Nsio 89), Dessers, Hagi (Lovelace 85), Igamane Unused subs: Curtis, Kelly, King, Lawrence, McCausland, Rice, Rafael Fernandes

Booked: Tavernier

Sent off: Diomande

Goals: Diomande (37), Propper (49), Dessers (86)

Attendance: 13, 653

Referee: Nick Walsh