Rangers ends away troubles but victory is soured
Rangers ended its struggles away from Ibrox with a comfortable win over Dundee United, closing the gap to leader Celtic to 10 points in the Scottish Premiership, but ending the match with 10 men.
Rangers had been winless in its past four away league games heading into the contest at Tannadice Park, but put on a dominant display to close the gap to the top of the table with Celtic's match against Dundee postponed as a result of Storm Eowyn.
United took the lead in the 19th minute after Rangers failed to deal with Will Ferry's long throw-in, resulting in the in-form Sam Dalby prodding into the roof of the net.
But the visitors responded shortly before the break when Mohamed Diomande shifted the ball on to his right foot before finding the bottom-left corner with a sweetly timed shot from outside the box.
Rangers needed just four minutes after the restart to take the lead after Robin Propper's strike took a deflection off Kevin Holt and wrong-footed Jack Walton on its way in.
The victory was sealed through Cyriel Dessers, who had an earlier goal chalked off for offside, as he rifled the ball from a tight angle into the top right corner.
The victory was soured, though, for Rangers when Diomande was sent off after a clash with Holt.
Rangers coach Philippe Clement praised the professionalism and maturity his Rangers team, despite the controversial ending to the match.
"A very mature performance, a very good performance for sure in the second half also," he said.
"A lot of braveness on the ball and a lot of power in the duels – necessary against a good Dundee United, who gave everything.
"They deserve to be in third position this season because they've shown a lot of quality the last couple of months.
"We've had to change a lot in the last couple of weeks and the team keeps on performing and that's a really good sign."
Rangers' first away win of 2025 was overshadowed by goalscorer Diomande's red card in the closing stages after a coming together with Holt just outside the area.
The Ivorian had skipped away from his marker and pushed him away in frustration, with referee Nick Walsh sticking with his on-field decision despite being sent to the monitor to perhaps reconsider by the video assistant referee.
"Dio gets pushed away," Clement said. "There is a small reaction with his hand without touching the opponent. Nothing.
"The only thing we can do is to appeal. If you get red cards for this, then you need to give three or four red cards in every game. I saw much worse things with yellow cards given."
Clement's side returns to action in the UEFA Europa League on Friday (AEDT), taking on Union Gilloise with the slight hope of finishing in the top eight and automatically reaching the Round of 16.
