Dundee United applaud league champions Rangers on to the Tannadice pitch

Rangers manager Walter Smith commended his own side and Dundee United after the champions' 2-1 win at Tannadice.

"Both teams made changes from their normal line-ups but I thought it was an excellent match," said the Ibrox boss.

"It's a credit to both sides that neither side had a great deal to play for but it was very competitive."

The hosts had secured third place in the Scottish Premier League prior to kick-off and are looking forward to the Scottish Cup final against Ross County.

When Nacho Novo scored a fine solo goal before half-time to add to Kris Boyd's opener, Rangers looked to be in command of the match.

However, Damian Casalinuovo's 80th-minute deflected header ensured a tense finale.

Smith added: "We started very strongly. It was a terrific goal by Kris Boyd.

"The game was very even up until the last 20 minutes when Dundee United put us under a fair bit of pressure.

"United were pushing us back and getting a lot of balls into the box in the latter stages of the game and we had to defend very well.

"But I was delighted with the way the boys played - some of them turned in excellent performances."

Kevin Thomson took a knock to the ear but his manager feels he will be fit to face Celtic on Tuesday, a match that Smith says all his players will be keen to be involved in.

"Everybody can say that we can make changes but the majority of the boys who came in today have played quite a number of matches for us this season," said the Rangers manager, who made seven changes to his starting line-up.

"We won't be writing off any game that we are going to play and obviously an Old Firm game comes into the category of one that you must take part in."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version