Dundee Utd 2
Rangers 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Yvonne Murray, Britain's only gold medal winning women in this year's European Cup games held in Split was presented to the crowd before the start of the match. And it was Rangers who promptly raced into a fifth minute lead. A Trevor Steven flick found Mo Johnston who netted at the near post. This was the first goal which we had conceded at Tannadice this season and Rangers gave us a tough time of it in those early stages, although only a diving save by Chris Woods kept out Billy McKinlay's angular drive in the tenth minute. At the other end Freddy Van Der Hoorn intervened to stop a Mo Johnston shot after the Rangers' striker had rounded Billy Thomson. Dave Bowman then blocked a shot from Johnston as Rangers maintained their pressure on us. However in the 38th minute we equalised in bizarre fashion. Billy Thomson's long clearance upfield was headed back by Terry Butcher and the ball sailed over Chris Woods and high into the net. This was our second successive goal to come courtesy of the opposition with the third goal in Iceland, having come from one of the FH players. It also proved to be the turning point of this encounter.

Immediately after the interval came the first of three penalty claims we had. Mixu Paatelainen's shot was blocked by Butcher, but our appeals for hand ball were waved away. Shortly afterwards Mixu Paatelainen appeared to be pushed to the ground well inside the box, but again our claims for a penalty proved fruitless. In the 53rd minute Darren Jackson's deft crossfield pass was just out of the reach of the incoming Jimmy McInally. The action wasn't confined to the Rangers goal, however, and Billy Thomson made a fine double save from Mo Johnston. McCoist then headed a Huistra cross narrowly over. Another penalty claim was rejected when Gary Stevens appeared to block a header from Mixu Paatelainen with an arm. At the other end Hurlock blazed a volley over as the action continued at a furious pace. Two minutes later, however, we grabbed the winner in spectacular fashion. Darren Jackson won the race for possession with Butcher before rolling the ball back into the path of Billy McKinlay who smashed a low drive past Woods from just outside the box. There was no way back for Rangers and the two points consolidated our position as League leaders.