However, the dismissal of Ricksen was the main talking point and the ramifications are serious. The Dutchman will now miss next Saturday’s short trip to Firhill and also the home game with Dundee on January 2.
It seemed as though there would be plenty to warm the fans when Ferguson scorched Rangers ahead with two great goals but it was the fireworks in the second half which really set this game alight.
Rangers had not been totally convincing but the skipper looked to have set them on their way to victory with a stunning free kick and a terrific solo goal 11 minutes into the second half.
Derek Lilley was booked for bringing down Peter Lovenkrands 25 yards out in 12 minutes and the skipper was quick to grab the ball for the set piece.
With superb technique, just as he showed in last season’s Cup Final, Ferguson lifted the ball over the wall and into the top left corner.
Rangers struggled to capitalise on their early breakthrough and it was left to Ferguson to lift them again with a great solo goal in 56 minutes. He robbed Mark Wilson on halfway and surged forward to produce a cool finish and the game looked finished.
However, referee Stuart Dougal turned the freezing Rangers fans red with rage just three minutes later when he controversially sent off Fernando Ricksen for a challenge on ex-Ranger Charlie Miller.
Ricksen seemed to try to pull out of the challenge on Miller on the touchline right in front of the Rangers dugout but just caught the Dundee United midfielder, who undoubtedly made a meal of it.
It may have been a yellow card at worst but Dougal stunned the crowd by sending Ricksen off to spark furious scenes. It now means that Ricksen is out of next week’s Thistle game and will also miss the Dundee game on January 2 for going over the penalty points total.
No wonder Alex McLeish and his staff were going ballistic on the bench. With Mikel Arteta out until January the last thing he needs is to lose another midfield player.
Miller was booed at every opportunity, but Rangers not only held on they increased their lead five minutes from the end.
Before that, Dougal made another bad decision when he sent off United’s Jim McIntyre in 80 minutes for a fairly harmless flick at Shota Arveladze. It might have been his way of evening things up but two wrongs don’t make a right.
It was Arveladze who was brought down by David McCracken on the right side of the box and it was a clear penalty. Ferguson stroked it away confidently further underlining his massive influence to Rangers’ cause.
RANGERS: Klos; Ricksen, Moore, Amoruso, Muscat; Hughes, Ferguson, de Boer (Malcolm 68), Lovenkrands; Arveladze, Mols (Nerlinger 78).
Subs not used: McGregor, Latapy, Hutton.
Sent off: Ricksen (59)
DUNDEE UNITED: Gallacher; McCunnie, Wilson, McCracken, Paterson; Easton, Lilley (Carson 67), Easton, McIntyre; Hamilton, Thompson (Smart 58).
Subs not used: Combe, Cummings, Duff.
Sent off: McIntyre (80)
Bookings: Lilley (12), McCunnie (26)
Ref: Stuart Dougal
Att: 47,639
Man of the match: Barry Ferguson