Rangers thrash Dundee United to maintain perfect league record at Ibrox

Rangers maintained their perfect Ibrox record as a 4-1 hammering of Dundee United took Steven Gerrard’s team another step closer to the title.

The runaway league leaders have now won all 15 of their Scottish Premiership fixtures at home, but despite the final scoreline they were tested by Micky Mellon’s side, who forced Allan McGregor into a trio of key saves inside the first half an hour.

The Gers keeper twice denied Louis Appere and also saved from Lawrence Shankland as the hosts made a sluggish start. Rangers made the most of those early let-offs, as Ianis Hagi and Ryan Kent transformed the game with a pair of quickfire goals.

Hagi was on hand to deflect Joe Aribo’s strike past Benjamin Siegrist in the 35th minute, before Kent connected with Borna Barisic’s cross three minutes later, sending his shot squirming under the visiting keeper.

It was not all plain sailing for Rangers after going 2-0 up, with Ryan Jack forced off through injury before half-time, potentially joining James Tavernier and Kemar Roofe for a spell on the sidelines. Barisic also missed a second-half penalty, but by that time Rangers were four goals up.

The Fiver: sign up and get our daily football email

Three minutes after the restart, Aribo moved into the box and unleashed an unstoppable drive into the corner, before Morelos forced a fourth in the 64th minute. The Colombian chased down Ryan Edwards’ back pass and Siegrist’s clearance cannoned off his body and bounced into the empty net.

Marc McNulty grabbed a late consolation from the edge of the area after Siegrist had saved Barisic’s spot kick, but Rangers had long since wrapped up victory. They move 18 points clear of Celtic, who visit Ross County on Sunday evening.

source: theguardian.com