Substitute Jason Scotland came off the bench to fire two second half goals and earn Dundee United a point from a thrilling Bank of Scotland Premier League draw with Rangers.

Billy Dodds had fired the home side in front in only the first minute but there seemed no way back for Ian McCall's side, containing several is stuffed full of former Ibrox men, when they went in at the break 3-1 down.

Steven Thompson fired two quick replies, including one from the penalty spot, and substitute Hamed Namouchi, who had come on for the injured Gavin Rae, gave his side a substantial cushion just before the break.

But United were not to be denied and deserved a share of the spoils in an unexpectedly entertaining and feisty end-of-season encounter.

The empty seats in the stands, particularly in the away fans' areas, was an indication that there was little to play for.

But the frantic activity on the pitch from the very first kick showed that both sets of players thought otherwise, with United opening the scoring after just 40 seconds.

Inevitably Dodds was the scorer from an equally predictable close range position after Mark Wilson had fired in a free-kick to where he was lurking at the back post.

Equally predictable was the fact that Fernando Ricksen had been the man to concede the free-kick just outside the box.

Rangers replied with a brace of goals from Thompson, his first double for the club he joined from United last season.

The first was an excellent, sixth-minute response to barracking from the fans who used to cheer him when he arrived in the box ahead of his marker to convert a Chris Burke cross from the right.

Thompson was booked by erratic match official Douglas McDonald for over-vigorous celebrations and was more circumspect when he made it 2-1 in the 14th minute from the penalty spot.

The recalled Stephen Hughes, in for the injured Mikel Arteta, had won the penalty when David McCracken had mistimed his tackle after the midfielder had made a powerful run into the box.

Thompson sent Scotland goalkeeper Paul Gallacher the wrong way to stake his claim to be the regular penalty taker.

Referee McDonald had earlier booked United skipper Derek McInnes for a foul on Thompson and penalised Barry Robson in the same way when he stopped Michael Mols from taking a free-kick quickly.

Mols saw a shot rebound back off Gallacher's near post but, having fluffed a good volleying chance, he had to be replaced in the 27th minute because of what appeared to be a groin muscle problem.

French-Tunisian Namouchi was the man who replaced him and he put his side 3-1 up just before the break.

Frank de Boer sent a free-kick down field and when the flag stayed down Namouchi beat Gallacher at the second attempt after the goalkeeper had parried his initial effort.

United took McInnes off at the break to increase their attacking options by sending on striker Scotland.

Rangers made a change themselves in the 53rd minute but it was one they wished they could have avoided when Rae, who had just made a fine run into the box that needed Alan Archibald's intervention, was stretchered off.

The midfielder had fallen badly following a tussle with Dodds and his loss looked like being Scotland's also as he had been in the squad for Wednesday night's friendly in Denmark.

It was Scotland the player who was the centre of attention six minutes later when he fired his side back into the game.

Andy McLaren set up the Trinidad international who had little difficulty striding away and firing past Allan McGregor.

McLaren volleyed just wide not long after but fluffed a great equalising chance in the 67th minute.

Mark Wilson had got the better of Zura Khizanishvili down the right and the former Scotland cap arrived unchallenged in the box to meet his delivery only to head wide from eight yards out.

United sent on another Trinidadian in the shape of striker Collin Samuel but Ricksen almost killed them off when Thompson had set him up only for Gallacher to block with his legs.

Dodds came close to an equaliser by firing just wide while, at the other end, Rae's replacement Paolo Vanoli headed a good chance just past the far post.

Scotland made Rangers pay in stoppage time by thumping home a loose ball in the box after Frank de Boer had been unable to clear while under pressure from Robson.

Teams

Dundee Utd Gallacher, Wilson, McCracken, Innes, Archibald, Kerr, Miller, McInnes (Scotland 46), Robson, Dodds, McLaren (Samuel 79).

Subs Not Used: Jarvie, Duff, Easton.

Booked: McInnes, Robson.

Goals: Dodds 1, Scotland 59, 90.

Rangers McGregor, Hutton, Khizanishvili, Frank de Boer, Ball (Ross 75), Burke, Ricksen, Hughes, Rae (Vanoli 52), Mols (Namouchi 26), Thompson.

Subs Not Used: Robinson, McCormack.

Booked: Thompson.

Goals: Thompson 6, 14 pen, Namouchi 44.

Att: 8,339

Ref: D McDonald (Scotland).