A goal from United’s David McCracken and a fortuitous late goal from Hamed Namouchi gave both teams a single point but Gers’ boss Alex McLeish will have been desperately disappointed that his side could not claim a win against a team that were languishing at the bottom of the SPL table prior to today’s fixture.
Boumsong’s departure meant that Zurab Khizanishvili moved back in to his favoured position in the heart of the Gers defence alongside Marvin Andrews but neither player looked comfortable against a United side who played as if they were fighting for their SPL survival.
Steven Thompson, who came off the bench to score in last week’s 4-1 victory over Motherwell, also started in attack in place of the suspended Nacho Novo.
Under-pressure United manager Ian McCall will have been praying that the first game of the New Year would bring his club’s fourth victory of the season but even he may have doubted his side’s chances against a Rangers’ team that were looking to move to the top of the league if they could secure all three points.
Rangers started the match strongly and Thompson showed his desire in the first minute when he tackled Paul Ritchie from behind when the ball was running harmlessly out for a goal kick. The referee, however, had a quick chat with striker before letting play resume.
Shota Arveladze then had a great opportunity to open the scoring three minutes later. Dado Prso showed some fancy footwork before crossing for the Georgian who timed his jump to perfection but put his header just wide of Tony Bullock’s goal.
The Terrors, who have only picked up 15 points from 20 games prior to today’s fixture, rose to the challenge set by the away side and took a surprise lead on 12 minutes through defender David McCracken.
Barry Robson’s corner-kick was cleared from the Rangers penalty box but fell straight to United captain Derek McInnes who played an inch-perfect left-foot cross to McCracken 12-yards from goal. His downward header skimmed off the slippery surface and gave Stefan Klos no chance as he dived to his to his right.
The goal lifted the spirits of the home support and Alex McLeish will have been disappointed with the space given to McCracken, who is one of United’s tallest players.
Dado Prso had the perfect opportunity to get the Gers back in to the match on 18 minutes when a Mark Wilson slip allowed the Croatian to bear down on goal but he took too much time to unleash his shot and the United defence cleared the danger.
Rangers continued to apply pressure on Bullock’s goal and the tenacious Alex Rae almost equalised on 22 minutes. Bob Malcolm played a log ball to Thompson who headed the ball to the on-rushing midfielder who flicked the ball over the United keeper but also over the cross bar.
Dundee United then thought that they had doubled their lead on 28 minutes when striker Jim McIntyre found the back of the net but was ruled to be offside.
Grant Brebner played a delightful through ball to Barry Robson and his left-foot shot, which looked to be goal bound, was touched in by McIntyre who was in a offside position.
The linesman’s decision to raise his flag was a welcome to relief to the Gers’ supporters who were becoming increasingly frustrated by their team’s inability to get back in to the game.
This frustration seemed to be creeping on to the pitch when Thompson and United’s Paul Ritchie picked up the first bookings of the match after they became tangled challenging for a header. The following head-to-head- gave the referee no option but to show both players a yellow card.
Rangers continued to push forward in search for an equaliser and came close 5 minutes before the break. Ricksen sent a whipped right-foot cross in to the box and Prso produced a dipping header which beat Bullock but went agonisingly wide.
Rae had one last chance to claw his side back in to the game when he latched on to a Prso pass but his shot was well saved by the United keeper.
The Gers’ fans voiced their disappointment when the referee finally blew for half-time and Alex McLeish was stern faced as he walked passed the travelling support and down the Tannadice tunnel.
As expected, Rangers started the second half brightly with Shota Arveladze trying to use his experience to create something from the middle of the park.
But it was United who had the first shot on goal when Derek McInnes tried his luck from 30 yards but Klos did well to dive to his right and hold the ball.
The Terrors then had yet another clear-cut chance to double their lead on 49 minutes when Grady found himself in the Gers box and cut the ball back to Brebner. The midfielder’s shot was brilliantly stopped by Klos and the ball fell to McIntyre who could only put his shot around the post.
The game continued to flow from end to end and Rangers could have equalised when Ricksen found Arveladze on the left. He skipped past a defender before unleashing a powerful left-foot cross which flashed by the United goal and the Gers’ strikers who were caught flat-footed.
In what was a fierce second-half battle, former Gers’ midfielder Derek McInnes, Jim McIntyre and James Grady all found themselves in the referee’s book for poor tackles on Rae, Khizanishvili and Arveladze respectively.
United’s discipline seemed to be evaporating but they continued to create the better chances and on 65 minutes Barry Robson latched on to a Grady through pass but was unable to beat the inspirational Klos with his left-foot shot.
Alex McLeish elected to bring French Tunisian midfielder Hamed Namouchi on for Arveladze for the last 25 minutes but he could only watch on as Alan Archibald unleashed a 30 yard strike that produced a fingertip save from Klos.
United’s players and management were claiming for a handball from the resulting corner-kick after the ball seemed to strike Gregory Vignal on the line but the referee waved away their appeals and let play continue.
Ricksen tried to inspire his side and tried his luck with a 25-yard free-kick which was well saved by Bullock.
Bob Malcolm then found the side-netting with a weak shot after United failed to deal with the resulting corner.
With two minutes left to play and time running out for the Light Blues, Gregory Vignal played in a great cross to Dado Prso and his header was tipped over the bar by Bullock.
Incredibly, Stefan Klos uncharacteristically sprinted up the pitch for the corner to increase the pressure on the home defense.
Ricksen played a dangerous cross in to the box and although the captain came close to nodding the ball home, it was Hamed Namouchi’s shoulder which sent the ball flying into the back of the net.
The late goal gave Rangers a crucial point and moved Alex McLeish’s side to the top of the SPL on goal difference while United move off the bottom spot.
DUNDEE UNITED: Bullock, Wilson, McCracken, McInnes, Archibald, Kerr, Brebner, McIntyre, Robson, Grady, Ritchie
Subs Not Used: Jarvie (GK), Samuel, Dodds, Scotland, Innes, Gardiner, Kenneth
Bookings: Thompson
RANGERS: Klos, Hutton, Khizanishvili, Andrews, Vignal, Ricksen, A. Rae, Malcolm, Arveladze (Namouchi 65), Thompson, Prso
Subs Not Used: G. Smith (GK), S. Smith, Hughes, Ross, McLean, Mladenovic
Bookings: Ritchie, McInnes, McIntyre, Brady
Referee: Mike McCurry
Attendance: 10,461