Rangers 2
Dundee Utd 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Neither side came into this match with any interest in the ultimate destination of the Premier League flag. This impacted the crowd and only 16,000 or so made the effort to come along and watch what was on offer.

Robert Russell should have opened the scoring when a Cooper pass left him with only McAlpine to beat. He paused to pick his spot and then fired the ball at Billy Kirkwood, which looked infinitely more difficult than scoring. John McDonald was the next sinner, Looking suspiciously offside, he collected a Smith pass, drew out McAlpine but allowed the 'keeper to fall on the ball before he shot. United however, had the miss of the day, Derek Addison was put through on his own, almost fell over the ball, then rounded McCloy before firing wide of the yawning goal. There were two goals disallowed - Stevens headed effort after a foul on McAlpine and Smith shot for offside. Neither decision was questioned.

Rangers opened the scoring from a penalty kick in the 51st minute. Smith and MacDonald combined well to send Redford away. David Nary appeared to obstruct him, but referee Renton decided it was more serious and awarded spot kick. Sandy Jardine took the kick perfectly and placed it to McAlpines left. United's equaliser was a nightmare for the Ibrox defence. Sturrock crossed from the right, found Fleming, and his cutback came to Pettigrew eight yards out. There wasn't a Rangers defender near him. Willie Pettigrew made no mistake and levelled the game. The winner was in keeping with the game - a pretty scrappy affair. McLean gave Smith an opening. His shot hit the post, and Tommy McLean reached the rebound before a posse of United defenders to tap the ball home. There could and should have been more goals but both sides tossed away some golden opportunities.