I said last week that Rangers’ visit to Tannadice was all about picking up the three points for Philippe Clement’s side, but in the opening 20 minutes their performance belied the pressure that was on them as they carved Dundee United open with ease with some terrific football.
Thankfully for them, they got the goal in that period that ultimately won the game that took them back to within five points of Celtic and Aberdeen.
But after some adjustments from United manager Jim Goodwin, Rangers made slightly heavy weather of getting over the line and I imagine the second half was a bit of a nerve-shredder for some of their supporters.
On a positive note, there was some fabulous link-up play, particularly in the early part of the game, involving Jefte, Mohamed Diomande, Tom Lawrence, Oscar Cortes and Cyriel Dessers, which perhaps should have been turned into a superior advantage.
There remains a vulnerability about Rangers, despite the fact Jack Butland wasn’t tested, but that was more to do with the profligacy of Kristijan Trapanovski than a defensive solidity.
Robin Propper does not look comfortable on the left side of central defence and is prone to giving up needless possession in dangerous areas.
However, the result was the required response following the defeat at Celtic Park and Rangers now have a return to Ibrox to look forward to and a home League Cup quarter-final tie against Dundee.
Rangers will hope to avoid another nervy encounter against a Dundee side that has impressed many at the start of this campaign.
But the home tie affords Rangers a wonderful opportunity to clinch a return to Hampden in defence of the one trophy they managed to keep out of Celtic’s clutches last season.
