The run stretches back more than six months and this latest result is enough to keep the champions top of the table ahead of next weekend’s Old Firm clash.
Kyle LaffertyThey’ve begun the defence of their title with five wins and a draw, conceding just one goal in the process.
The fact they have now played 524 domestic minutes without being breached will be of great satisfaction to Ally McCoist.
Now he’ll turn his attentions to the derby and he’ll feel his men are in decent shape ahead of the home game with Celtic.
Manager McCoist made two changes to the team which beat Aberdeen 2-0 at Ibrox a fortnight ago.
With Nikica Jelavic out injured, he was replaced by Juanma Ortiz and Ross Perry dropped to the bench as Steven Whittaker came back into the first XI at right-back.
The first half was a largely competitive affair in which saw both sides have chances to score without either really showing a cutting edge.
Willo Flood had the first chance for the hosts when he shot from 22 yards and very nearly scored when a deflection wrong footed Allan McGregor.
At the other end, Steven Naismith had one flick comfortably held by Dusan Pernis and fired another effort so high over he hit the underside of the Eddie Thompson Stand roof.
Lafferty should probably have done better when he had a chance to strike after good build-up play by Steven Whittaker and Ortiz.
But he didn’t catch his shot properly and Pernis got down to keep it out before McGregor did well to punch a fierce Danny Swanson drive over.
Play was raging back and forth and in wet conditions, tackles were flying in and the crime count was slowly building.
Indeed, with Garry Kenneth, Steven Davis and Swanson all booked early, you sensed it could be one of those days when we finished with less than 22 men on the pitch at full time.
Johnny Russell is sent offWith just half an hour gone that became the case – although the circumstances of Johnny Russell’s red card were utterly bizarre.
The talented youngster has made a big impression at Tannadice in the last few months and was one of the scorers as the Arabs won 3-2 at Ibrox last season.
His decision to headbutt Kirk Broadfoot right in front of referee Calum Murray was a clear error of judgement though and he had to go.
Rangers reacted by hemming their opponents in and Naismith nearly gave them a breakthrough but shot just wide when he was played in on goal.
The miss almost proved costly as half-time approached as Kenneth – who had already sent one header criminally wide – put another one over the upright when it seemed easier to score.
With the interval getting closer, Whittaker tried to give the visitors a lead with a crisp drive but it was diverted by two deflections and it remained goalless.
McCoist kept faith with his starting XI as the teams emerged after the break and Lafferty tried to force the issue from distance but his attempt was smothered.
The Ulsterman was then denied moments later when a Davis cross fell perfectly for him after Naismith failed to force it in.
Gers were getting closer and Naismith once again combined with Lafferty as the latter steered a header a couple of feet beyond the far post.
But he was on target as the hour mark ticked by – and on this occasion he made the difference as Light Blues took a deserved lead.
Gregg Wylde was the architect, swinging a fantastic deep cross to the back post for Lafferty to rise and get on the end of.
And this time he made no mistake as his soaring header flew beyond Pernis’ outstretched arms to make it 1-0.
Kyle LaffertyIt was very nearly two before long, though how the ball stayed out is still a mystery after a wonderful flowing move.
Naismith collected a pass from Davis and provided a pinpoint return ball for him to latch on to, which he did before jinking past two men.
Pernis was the only obstacle in the captain’s way and he beat him too – only to see his shot cannon off one post, run along the line and strike the other before being scrambled away.
Dorin Goian also shot just past and with United then settling, there was a worry the single-goal lead might not be enough with quarter of the game still to go.
Naismith very nearly relived any tension when Whittaker set him up and he beat Pernis but Kenneth got back just in time to clear off the line.
Back came the Arabs, with Swanson firing just past McGregor’s woodwork from 25 yards with the keeper beaten.
Although Rangers were ahead, the match still looked as though it could go any way and McCoist threw on Lee McCulloch for Maurice Edu to shore things up.
Nevertheless, United kept pressing and John Rankin came even closer to drawing the hosts level with a rasper that almost shaved the post.
In a bid to change the flow of the game, Matt McKay was the next player introduced by the manager for Wylde.
And the Australian nearly played a part in what would have been a clinching second, teeing up Naismith before he fed Davis and he drilled a yard over.
McKay even had a go himself as he cut in from the left seconds from the end but his shot was blocked and ultimately cleared.
It didn’t matter though as United finished weakly, meaning Gers stay top of the SPL with five wins from their opening six matches.