Sport

Rangers have to wait little longer for title celebrations

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE/Dundee U 0 Rangers 0: RANGERS’ TITLE party may well have to wait

EWAN MURRAY at Tannadice
Thu Apr 15 2010 - 01:00

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE/Dundee U 0 Rangers 0:RANGERS' TITLE party may well have to wait. Victory here and again over Hearts on Sunday would have secured the Scottish Premier League for a second season in succession. But this goalless draw against a Dundee United side for whom Mihael Kovacevic was dismissed after 70 minutes means Ibrox will not have the chance to hail the successful defence of the league so soon unless Celtic fail to beat Hibernian on Saturday. There is no evidence to suggest Celtic can claw back the SPL trophy, but they will revel in whatever delay they can prompt.

Rangers’ aspirations of a domestic treble ended on their previous visit to Tannadice, on Scottish Cup business last month. That factor, added to United’s quest to overhaul Celtic, ensured nobody regarded matters here as a foregone conclusion.

Walter Smith’s men are within touching distance of the finishing line but lack the talent to play with anything to spare.

The most notable acts from Rangers during the opening half related to mini-spats. Kenny Miller and Kyle Lafferty exchanged angry words, as did Lee McCulloch and Allan McGregor.

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The hosts’ best chance amid those early exchanges fell to Danny Cadamarteri, who shot wide, while Miller replied for Rangers with a volley which forced Dusan Pernis into a fine save.

A drab second period only momentarily burst into life as Kovacevic saw red for kicking out at Lafferty. The Rangers player had initially fouled his opponent but the United full-back’s reaction was as rash as it was needless.

Miller struck a post as Rangers chased victory. All eyes now turn back towards Celtic Park.

DUNDEE UTD: Pernis, Kovacevic, Kenneth, Dods, Dillon, Myrie-Williams (Watson 72), Gomis, Buaben, David Robertson (Conway 61), Cadamarteri, Sandaza (Goodwillie 75). Subs not used: Banks, Daly, Swanson, Casalinuovo.

RANGERS: McGregor, Whittaker, Bougherra, Weir, Papac, Davis, Edu (Thomson 90), McCulloch, Lafferty (Novo 73), Miller, Naismith (Boyd 57). Subs not used: Alexander, Fleck, Little, Wilson. Booked: Papac, Lafferty, Davis.

Referee: B Winter (Scotland).