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Match Report: Rangers 0-2 Dundee Utd Monday, 06 February 2012 06:58 Written by Thommo

Rangers were dumped out of the Scottish Cup after a shock 2-0 defeat against Dundee United at Ibrox.

The visitors were piling on the pressure from the start and Johnny Russell actually had the ball in the back of the net, although it did not count as Jon Daly fouled Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor to win the ball.

Russell threatened again shortly afterwards by weaving through the Rangers back line, but the striker was thwarted by Romanian rock Dorin Goian.

Dundee Utd continued to pin Rangers back in the early stages, and Paul Dixon was next to have a pop at goal, but the full-back’s driven effort was pushed away for a corner.

And it was from the resultant corner that Dundee Utd broke the deadlock. Gary Mackay-Steven whipped in a cross that went straight through the congested penalty area but was picked up by John Rankin on the far side. Rankin’s cross then fell to Mackay-Steven again, and the winger’s delivery met the head of Gavin Gunning, who crashed the ball past Allan McGregor.

Rangers finally got out of defence and were unlucky not to equalize. Sone Aluko showed great individual skill to set himself up, but the Nigerian’s volley was straight at Dusan Pernis.

The Slovakian keeper was tested again, this time by David Healy, but the striker - who will be expected to chip in with more goals after the sale of Nikica Jelavic - could only produce a weak strike that was turned behind by Pernis.

Despite Rangers’ flurry of attacks, the visitors were in dreamland after snatching a second goal. Paul Dixon threaded a neat pass to livewire Johnny Russell who showed great composure to smash the ball beyond the on-rushing McGregor.

Rangers attempted to pull a goal back before the half time whistle. Steven Davis played a clever, lofted pass to Kyle Bartley, but the on-loan defender’s header was comfortably saved.

Ally McCoist showed signs of desperation after the interval, and replaced new signing Mervan Celik with Salim Kerkar.

Rangers were lacking a predator in the penalty area as they continued their search for a goal.

McCoist had a final throw of the dice by replacing David Healy and Sasa Papac with Andy Little and Gregg Wylde, respectively.

Dundee Utd had a chance to rub salt into the wounds, but Gary Kenneth’s header was easily dealt with by Allan McGregor and the centre back should have done better.

A trademark long range strike from John Rankin had McGregor scrambling late on but the goalkeeper managed to clutch the ball.

All in all, a bitterly disappointing and premature exit from the Scottish Cup.

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