Rangers 3 Dundee Utd 1:RANGERS TEMPORARILY cut Celtic's lead at the summit of the Premier League to a single point on Saturday thanks to a double from Nacho Novo against Dundee United at Ibrox.
The striker netted with a header early on, before doubling the advantage with an impressive volley to heap the pressure on the defending champions.
Mark de Vries managed to pull a goal back for United but substitute Jean-Claude Darcheville struck late on to seal the win which keeps the destination of the title in Rangers' own hands.
With Wednesday's Uefa Cup final in mind, Walter Smith made some changes from the 1-0 win over Motherwell in midweek.
Daniel Cousin, Christian Dailly and Sasa Papac all started, while Kris Boyd and Darcheville dropped to the bench and Steven Davis was missing from the squad.
DaMarcus Beasley was named on the bench.
There was none of the edginess which had accompanied recent league matches against Hibernian and Motherwell and the deadlock was broken inside seven minutes.
Novo took a tumble under pressure from Mark Kerr and won a free-kick 25 yards out. Kevin Thomson presided over the set-piece and delivered the ball into a packed goalmouth where Novo was waiting at the far post to nod past goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska.
The little striker then claimed his second after 18 minutes. A long ball from goalkeeper Neil Alexander was nodded into the path of Novo by Cousin and the end product was a superb left-foot volley which left Zaluska with no chance.
Celtic's superior goal difference meant Rangers were keen to add to their tally and Novo hooked wide as he chased his hat-trick, before Zaluska foiled Kirk Broadfoot at the near post. United could have pulled a goal back when Alexander came well off his line to clear with Hunt bearing down on goal. The ball broke to Robertson but David Weir came to the rescue when he cleared off the line.
After the interval, United had a strong claim for a penalty dismissed by referee Mike McCurry after Weir upended striker Noel Hunt. But the visitors managed to haul themselves back into the game after 76 minutes. A Danny Grainger cross from the left found the head of De Vries and he finished well from 10 yards.
Cousin made way for Darcheville and the Frenchman helped himself to a last-minute goal after meeting Barry Ferguson's pass to slot home from close range.
RANGERS: Alexander, Whittaker, Broadfoot, Cuellar, Weir, Papac, Ferguson, Thomson (Furman 52), Dailly, Novo, Cousin (Darcheville 85). Subs not used: Graeme Smith, Boyd, Beasley, Lennon, McMillan. Booked: Cousin.
DUNDEE UTD: Zaluska, Wilkie, Grainger, Kovacevic (O'Brien 90), Dods, Flood (Swanson 66), Kerr, Gomis (Robb 85), Hunt, Robertson, De Vries. Subs not used: Camara, Dillon, Daly, Smith. Booked: Flood, Wilkie, De Vries.
Referee: M McCurry (Scotland).
