Dundee Utd 0
Rangers 3
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

The first ever live televised league game from Tannadice will only live in the memory for the performance of Rangers who for all but the opening few exchanges completely dominated this encounter.

The first save of the match came in the first minute when Christian Dailly took a return pass from Craig Brewster but couldn't get enough power into his shot to trouble Goram. Evidence of the threat Rangers posed came in the fifth minute when Durie went clear on goal, but fortunately for United he stabbed the ball wide of the post! Three minutes later came undoubtedly one of United's best chances of the game. Stuart McCall swung wildly at a cross and sliced his clearance upwards and back towards his own goal. Craig Brewster was under it when the ball felt, but he sliced his attempted volley way over the bar.

In the 17th minute United fell behind and unlike the previous four games there was to be no way back. Brian Laudrup collected a ball form Durie out on the left and drifted past Billy McKinlay and Alex Cletand before crashing the ball in at the far post. The Tannadice goal then proceeded to enjoy something of a charmed life as Rangers ran amok. Charlie Miller wasted a header when he had the goal at his mercy by nodding the ball past the near post from Huistra's right foot cross; McCoist shot narrowly wide; Huistra slid the ball inches past the far post from an opening made by Laudrup and this agonising spell ended with Durie blazing a shot just over.

United failed to take advantage of a rare moment of indecision ten minutes before the interval whistle which came with the Tangerines grateful the deficit was no more than that superb Laudrup goal. As at the start United made a bright opening to the second period, winning several corners, but Rangers were soon back on the offensive and increased their lead when a free-kick landed at the feet of Pieter Huistra who wheeled and sent a shot just inside the post.

Four minutes later and Rangers moved further in front. That man Laudrup won the ball from Maurice Malpas and drove speedily down the inside left channel before sliding an inch perfect pass into lan Durrant, a substitute for Ally McCoist, and he neatly side-footed in the third.

In the latter stages of the match United did have a couple of worthwhile efforts. A header by Dailly from pointblank range was kept out by Goram's feet. Craig Brewster was given a free-header, but headed wide when it looked easier to score and a raging freekick by Billy McKinlay was just too adjacent to beat Goram.

The corner count was 12-4 in United's favour, but that in no way reflected the difference between the sides on an afternoon when Rangers turned on their Sunday best for the cameras.

Golac commented, "I hope I've learned a few things from Rangers who played brilliantly"