AFTER LAST week’s loss at home to Falkirk, no one was giving Dundee United much chance of taking anything from Rangers on Saturday, but the Tangerines confounded their fans and critics alike by deservedly coming away from Ibrox with a point, writes Jim Davie.

Indeed, if it hadn’t been for a freak own goal by United substitute Steven Robb just minutes after coming on, the visitors might well have gathered all three points.

At that stage, United were looking very comfortable and the hosts appeared to have run out of ideas.

Robb’s blunder came with just 11 minutes of the match left and gave Rangers the lift they so desperately needed.

A cross from Steven Smith reached the former Dundee player just inside his own box and, in attempting to cushion a header back to Derek Stillie, he left the keeper stranded as the ball rolled in to the corner of the net.

The United keeper sought an explanation from his team-mate, but admitted neither were any the wiser about the reason for the mix-up.

“The own goal was very unfortunate for Stevie,” said Stillie. “We talked about it after the game. He said he heard me call for it but can’t explain why he headed it.

“It was difficult for him asking him to come in at left-back when we were under so much pressure.”

Pressure was certainly something United were forced to absorb in a pulsating first half with no fewer than three Rangers efforts cleared off the line and the keeper himself pulling off a number of great saves.

But a 14th-minute goal from Noel Hunt, an absolute cracker as he wheeled on to a Stuart Duff cross to smash the ball past Lionel Letizi, settled the visitors and they looked dangerous on the break as the home side pushed forward.

Duff was superb for the Tangerines, always getting up to support the lone striker while taking on his fair share of midfield and defensive duties.

Early in the second half he twice got in behind the Rangers defence, firstly teeing up impressive youngster Greg Cameron for a shot that was kicked off the line, then being instrumental in the build-up to the corner which led to United’s second goal in 56 minutes.

Barry Robson’s corner kick was headed home by debutant Christian Kalvenes, who looks as if he will be a huge asset.

The Norwegian had a fine debut at left-back and he was willing to get himself upfield in support at every opportunity.

Unfortunately, the pace of the game took its toll on the new boy and a touch of cramp led to the fateful substitution which was to cost United the victory.

A minute after Kalvenes scored, the hosts hit back, Chris Burke netting with his second touch after coming on for Karl Svensson.

But it was United who looked like adding to their lead until that late slip by Robb and the Tangerines were forced to hang on for their reward.

Keeper Stillie admitted the visitors rode their luck a bit in the first part of the game.

“We were very busy, with a few cleared off the line, but second half I think our performance merited at least a draw,” he said.

“Greg Cameron cleared one or two, I think, and Alan Archibald cleared one.

“We were very organised at the back, though, and when we got the ball up front we held it up and got support up to them.

“Noel scored a great goal in the first half. In the second half Barry Robson was through and Lee Miller was just inches away from getting on the end of one.

“We had chances, real chances, to put the game beyond reach.”

Stillie also revealed that last week’s criticism had spurred the players on to greater efforts.

“There was a lot of unnecessary comment last week, a lot of negativity,” he added. “We probably used that as a catalyst as players to get together and say, ‘Right, we’re in it together, no one’s going to help us out, it’s us against the world,’ and we showed today what we are capable of.”

United boss Craig Brewster was more than pleased with his side’s efforts, despite surrendering a two-goal lead.

“To come here you need 11 players on top form and we got that,” he said.

“Everyone thought Rangers would win comfortably, but that meant my players could relax.

“It was crucial to get a point because last week wasn’t good enough.”

New Rangers boss Paul Le Guen commented, “I’m disappointed, even though we came back from two goals down. We could easily have scored four or five in the first half. I thought we were really unlucky.”

It was a big day for Rangers, with the eyes of the footballing world upon them as they attempt to rid themselves of the elements who continue to sing sectarian songs at Ibrox.

They blasted out “appropriate” songs from the tannoy and had the words of old favourites up on the giant screens to encourage the fans to sing and, in the main, it was reasonably successful, though at least one particular unsavoury number could still be heard from the press box.

So, it was with some amazement that listeners to a radio phone-in show, were told United fans were being blamed by Lawrence McIntyre, Ibrox security chief, for sporadic outbreaks of sectarian singing.

In reality the travelling support were guilty only of singing one of their own well-established ditties which happens to be to the tune of “The Billy Boys” and United are deeply unhappy over McIntyre’s outburst.

“As a club we abhor sectarianism and our supporters have actually paid for a permanent hoarding to be erected at Tannadice supporting that position,” said director Derek Robertson.

“We totally applaud the stance Rangers have taken but to try to deflect the problem they have by accusing rival supporters is the wrong way to go about things.

“There is a United song which is similar in tune to a Rangers one but there is no sectarian meaning in it whatsoever, and I think it was irresponsible of Mr McIntyre to make the comments he did without raising the matter first with ourselves.

“Had he sought an explanation from ourselves this could have been cleared up in seconds.’’