Rangers 2-0 Dundee United: Ibrox side delay Celtic title win

Rangers delayed Celtic’s Scottish Premiership title win with a deserved home triumph over Dundee United.

Fashion Sakala and Scott Arfield were denied by Benjamin Siegrist before the United goalkeeper fouled Sakala in the second half.

James Tavernier scored the resulting penalty and Sakala set up substitute Amad Diallo for the clinching goal.

Rangers reduce Celtic’s lead to six points with two games to go, with Ange Postecoglou’s side 21 goals better off.

United remain a point in front of fifth-placed Motherwell and on course for a European spot.

A Rangers team showing seven changes following Thursday’s thrilling and gruelling Europa League semi-final win against Leipzig took time to fully stretch their visitors, Sakala pouncing on a Charlie Mulgrew mistake to give Siegrist his first contribution.

Arfield exchanged passes with Steven Davis before drawing another fine save and Sakala spun well in the box only to shoot wide.

The Zambian tested Siegrist from wide on the left early in the second period but the goalkeeper was culpable when Sakala latched on to Aaron Ramsey’s chip.

The forward was pulled down, prompting a booking for the Swiss, and Tavernier converted confidently to the right.

United had to show more attacking intent and Ryan Edwards, buoyed by his recent strike against Hearts, flashed an effort over Jon McLaughlin’s goal and substitute Nicky Clark was wide with his effort.

Scott Wright’s half-time replacement Diallo, after being clattered by the booked Ross Graham, made an impact on Rangers’ right and sent a couple of efforts wide before converting Sakala’s pass for goal number two.

Man of the match – Fashion Sakala

What did we learn?

In Kemar Roofe’s continued absence, Sakala was the only recognised striker in Rangers’ starting line-up but started wide left. Scott Arfield was deployed in an advanced central role and linked well with Davis and Ramsey.

The second half featured a Rangers debut for Adam Devine, sent on with fellow youngsters Alex Lowry and Charlie McCann and joining teenage starter Leon King on the pitch as manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst rested players ahead of the Europa League and Scottish Cup finals.

United’s strategy was primarily one of containment, a task they performed admirably until the penalty incident. In attack, they struggled to create openings and still have work to do to secure a top-five finish and a Europa Conference League qualifying place.

What’s next?

Rangers play their final home match of the season on Wednesday against Ross County in the Scottish Premiership (19:45 BST) while Dundee United host Celtic (19:30), with the visitors needing only a draw to win the title.

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