Marco Negri helped Rangers strengthen their grip at the top of the Scottish
Premier Division with two of their goals in a comfortable home win over Dundee
United today.
The prolific Italian striker's two goals, one in the last minute from the
penalty spot, took his tally for the season to an astonishing 33.
Negri left it late to get off the mark, though, scoring his first goal in only
the 81st minute.
But his goals were a welcome boost for manager Walter Smith, who was without
six key players.
Goalkeeper Andy Goram and captain Richard Gough were again absent after
picking up hamstring injuries.
Jonas Thern, who has been hampered by a knee injury, was also sidelined as
were suspended trio Rino Gattuso, Paul Gascoigne and Gordon Durie.
Brian Laudrup returned to the side after a back injury and was again in
inspirational mood for the champions, who are chasing a record 10th successive
title.
But Rangers, so majestic against Hearts last week, didn't have it all their
own way today for long spells of the match.
United arrived at Ibrox with two wins under their belt against Rangers in the
league and the Coca-Cola Cup this season.
In fact, that was Rangers only defeat in the league before today's match - and
they were rocked again when Kjell Olofsson gave United the lead in the 28th
minute.
But Laudrup put them level in the 42nd minute, and a minute later Alex
Clelland put them ahead and on the road to the three points.
Theo Snelders again replaced Andy Goram between the posts and he was called
into action after only three minutes.
He looked uncomfortable when Lars Zetterlund played the ball through to
Olofsson. The Swedish striker's shot was only half hit, but Snelders could only
turn it into the side-netting with difficulty.
Rangers rallied, Jorg Albertz thumping a shot wide of the post and then Negri
shooting marginally off target after getting away from Maurice Malpas.
United opened the scoring against the run of play just before the half hour
when Olofsson again got away down the right to latch on to a pass from Mark
Perry and steer the ball beyond goalkeeper Sieb Dykstra.
Rangers were rocked but drew level when Albertz stepped over the ball when a
free-kick was awarded in a central position just outside the penalty area.
Laudrup thumped his shot into the corner, and a minute later Rangers went
ahead.
Laudrup delivered a pinpoint cross from the left, and Clelland headed high
over Dykstra for only his second goal of the season.
That was the boost Rangers needed, and Dykstra had to look lively to turn away
a shot from sub Tony Vidmar at the start of the second half.
Then United defender Erik Pedersen cleared off the line from Ian Ferguson as
Rangers stepped up the pace.
But United would not give in and were beginning to gain a lot of possession,
causing increasing impatience among the home crowd.
Negri eased their worries nine minutes from time, though, when he headed home
after Albertz had been allowed time and space to chip the ball into the area.
Negri completed the scoring a minute from the end after a clumsy challenge
from Dykstra that saw the goalkeeper booked. The striker dusted himself down and
sent the Dutchman the wrong way from the penalty spot to seal an emphatic
victory, which will put Rangers in good heart for the Old Firm clash with Celtic
next Friday at Parkhead.
Teams:
Rangers: Snelders, Cleland, Stensaas (Vidmar 45), McCall,
Porrini, Bjorklund, B. Ferguson, I. Ferguson (McCoist 84), Negri,
Albertz, Laudrup (Durrant 76).
Booked: Porrini, Bjorklund, I. Ferguson.
Goals: Laudrup 43, Cleland 44, Negri 82, 90 pen.
Dundee Utd: Dykstra, Jonsson, Malpas, Pressley, Perry,
Pedersen (McKinnon 84), Olofsson, Zetterlund, McSwegan,
Easton (Skoldmark 63), McLaren (Winters 69).
Booked: Jonsson, Dykstra, Malpas, McLaren, Pedersen.
Goals: Olofsson 28.
Att: 50,017
Ref: S Dougal (Glasgow).
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