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By Clive Lindsay
1407: Thanks for your company, even if it was briefer than expected because of the game being abandoned at half-time. There is no news as yet when the match will be rescheduled. We'll have news of that as soon as we have it on our news pages. What it definitely means is that Rangers remain in third place in the Scottish Premier League, four points adrift of leaders Celtic and one behind Hibernian. United remain in fifth, a point behind Motherwell.
1406: From GunboatBriggs on My Sport "By the way, the last match abandoned at Tannadice wasn't in 1973, it was October 1990 against Dunfermline, also due to a waterlogged pitch"
1406: From Skillful09 on My Sport "Good. Utd were unlucky to be a goal behind anyways. All over the Gers and the Gers goal looked offside. "
Everybody agrees that referee Mike Tumilty had no choice but to abandon the game at Tannadice. For the neutrals, it was a shame as we were being treated to a fine game of football. Rangers fans will also be disappointed that, with their team in the lead, they could have gone on to record a morale-boosting win that would have brought them back to within a point of Scottish Premier League leaders Celtic. United boss Craig Levein was disappointed that he did not get the chance to see more of the same fine play from his side after the break. However, if the teams had come out for the second half, United would had to have changed into their orange water wings and Rangers might have been advised to bring on a few blue whales as substitutes!
"If the rain had stopped, there might have been a chance of it continuing, but it is on for the day. The lads are devastated as that's the best we have played in some time and we thought we had a chance of getting back into the game" Dundee United manager Craig Levein
According to our radio colleagues, it is 1973 since a match was abandoned at Tannadice and referee Mike Tumilty says that managers Craig Levein and Walter Smith accepted the decision. Tumilty admits that fans will have been disappointed but thinks he has prevented the game perhaps being decided by a goal made farcical by the conditions. It is also being pointed out that, if the game had progressed to the second half and then been abandoned, they would have missed out on receiving vouchers for the re-arranged game.
1348: "Towards half time it became nearly impossible and I did not want the game to become farcical. There's a lot of water lying on the pitch and the safety of the players was in my mind. Obviously both managers were keen to get the game played. But, with important games to play, both want their full squads available to them" Referee Mike Tumilty
1346: The official announcement at Tannadice has been greeted by cheers from the Dundee United fans and is given a less welcome reception from the visiting support.
Referee Mike Tumilty has spoken to the match commander and both managers - and the match has been abandoned.
It has been an excellent first half despite horrendous conditions. If the rain had started earlier, it might never have started because of all the puddles. Indeed, we are hearing that there is a pitch inspection. There is a danger that the second half might not even start and the chances of it lasting 90 minutes are certainly diminishing.
"Having looked at the pictures, I think Steven Davis is offside and the goal should not have stood. And, if Aiden McGeady was booked for diving for Celtic yesterday, Kyle Lafferty should have been too as he was looking for it" BBC Scotland football correspondent Chick Young, who is on television watch for BBC Radio Scotland
HT: Dundee United 0-1 Rangers
1331: United goalkeeper Nicky Weaver beats the ball away after a low drive from Steven Whittaker skids low and powerfully off the wet surface from the edge of the box.
"United like to play down the hill in the second half, but it will be interesting to see what happens as they won't have that this time" BBC Radio Scotland pundit and former United and Rangers striker Billy Dodds
1327: Another United corner ends with a goalmouth scramble that resembles the kids' pool on a busy Sunday afternoon before Rangers eventually breath a sigh of relief when the ball is thumped clear, mud flying into the face of goalkeeper Allan McGregor.
1324: United are so unlucky once more. Paul Dixon's superb, curling free-kick from 22 yards leaves goalkeeper Allan McGregor floundering in the rain but strikes the top of the crossbar. The home side keep on the pressure, but Prince Buaben's powerful drive from 25 yards is straight at the goalkeeper.
"United have fallen out of the game since losing the goal. They need to get those central midfielders back on the ball" BBC Radio Scotland pundit Craig Paterson
A severe blow to United just as they were beginning to create more and more chances of their own. Sasa Papac's curling cross finds several Rangers players in offside positions, but Steven Davis ghosts in from an onside position to sidefoot home at the back post.
1314: GOAL Dundee United 0-1 Rangers
1311: United's Paul Dixon is off injured after a clash with Steven Whittaker, but the home side threaten again as the defender's eye apparently begins to close. Craig Conway's corner is spilled by Allan McGregor, but the goalkeeper gathers at the feet of the marauding Tangerines.
1308: Yet another bad miss for United. Jennison Myrie-Williams embarks on a weaving run down the right touchline. But, after picking out Prince Buaben, the unmarked midfielder side-foots the ball over the crossbar from 16 yards.
1304: United ought to have taken the lead when Paul Dixon sends a dangerous cross into the Rangers six-yard box. Damian Casalinuovo beats hesitant goalkeeper Allan McGregor to the ball, but it skims off the Argentine's head and wide of the far post.
"United have started the better, but when Rangers play the ball through the defence they are creating chances" BBC Radio Scotland pundit Billy Dodds
1257: My poor fingers are struggling to keep up with this. Thank goodness for the respite of a free-kick. Allan McGregor drops the ball fired in by Craig Conway, but no United forward is there to capitalise.
1255: Rangers immediately counter-attack and Kyle Lafferty sends a drive just wide of the far post.
1254: Dundee United go close, with a looping Mihael Kovacevic header striking the Rangers crossbar.
1253: It is end-to-end stuff and both sides are looking to play the ball on the deck and play a bit of football, as the cliche goes, despite the gathering puddles at Tannadice.
1250: Kris Boyd is so close to getting a touch on a Kenny Miller cross into the United box, but the ball misses the striker's stretching toe. If there had been any contact, they ball would have probably ended up in the back of the net.
1245: We're off at Tannadice and Rangers striker Kris Boyd is immediately caught offside, nothing new there right enough, but it looks the slippery surface, the result of pouring rain, is going to have a major impact - and maybe add to the excitement.
1244: Dundee United and Rangers both make major changes following their midweek Co-operative Insurance Cup exploits. Allan McGregor reclaims the gloves for Rangers, while David Weir, Steven Davis, Kris Boyd, Steven Naismith and Kenny Miller are all drafted back into the side after the midweek win over Dundee. Youngster Danny Wilson retains his place in the team with Madjid Bougherra and Lee McCulloch both still out injured. United also make changes after losing their tie against St Johnstone, with Nicky Weaver, Darren Dods, Craig Conway, Jennison Myrie-Williams, Damian Casalinuovo and Paul Dixon all starting. On-loan Rangers defender Andy Webster is among those who drop out of the side as a result of the terms of his loan deal.
1237: Dundee United Stephen Thompson has just been on BBC Radio Scotland clarifying his own club's financial problems. Manager Craig Levein told us earlier in the week that, like Rangers, United were talking to their bank and were looking for some leniency in the current climate. That story grew arms and legs, so to speak, and there were all sorts of suggestions about United's problems. However, Thompson stresses that there is no chance of the club going into administration and that they were just looking for some leeway in light of the loss of the Setanta broadcasting contract at the end of last season.
"We're playing with two wingers, taking a bit of a gamble, but we owe our supporters a performance and a win, if we can do that. Rangers are unbeaten, but they're difficult to play at any time, but I feel we cannot afford to underestimate Rangers, so we'll have to be at our very best today" Dundee United manager Craig Levein
"It's probably a more recognisable Rangers team today, but United will guarantee us a tough physical game. The players have handled things really well and have kept us challenging at the top of the table. While things aren't ideal off the park, what the fans want to see is performances on the park and they're keeping up their end of the bargain" Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist
1224: Rangers have made six changes from the side that defeated Dundee in the Co-operative Insurance Cup, having used the competition to rest a few of their first-choice players. Full details to follow.
1215: Good afternoon to you all. Today we've got Dundee United entertaining Rangers at Tannadice. Rangers will be glad to start doing their talking on the pitch again today after another traumatic week off the field. The stats are contradictory. Rangers are unbeaten in last eight meetings with Dundee United, the home side's last victory being by 2-1 on 28 October 2007. The Glasgow club won 3-0 in their last visit to Tannadice in May as they clinched the Scottish Premier League title. That was Rangers' first win there since April 2006 and followed three draws on United's home ground.
Rangers are seeking their second win in the city within five days having knocked United's neighbours, Dundee, out of the Co-operative Insurance Cup with a 3-1 victory at Dens Park on Tuesday.
That was Rangers' first win in three games after a bruising 4-1 Champions League defeat at home to Romanians Unirea Urziceni and a 1-1 draw with Hibernian, also at Ibrox.
However, although all the talk has been talk of a crisis at the Glasgow club, it has to be remembered that, while Rangers are third in the SPL table, they are unbeaten in the league this season and will move back above Hibs and to within a point of leaders Celtic should they win at Tannadice.
United are fifth going into the game and will draw level with Rangers should they emerge the victors.
Craig Levein's side, looking to bounce back from their midweek cup disappointment at the hands of St Johnstone, are unbeaten in their last four league games but have failed to record a victory in their last two home games.
A defeat by Motherwell was followed by a draw with the Fir Park club's neighbours Hamilton Accies. Levein will be determined to prevent a hat-trick of victories from invaders from Lanarkshire. And he will be hoping to end a run of 10 games without a win over the Old Firm.
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