Cyriel Dessers scored a landmark fiftieth Rangers aim because the Gentle Blues beat Dundee United 3-1 of their closing house Premiership sport of the season.
Amid hundreds of empty Ibrox seats, defender Sam Cleall-Harding headed the Taysiders in entrance after 21 minutes earlier than Dessers equalised with a header 5 minutes later.
Dessers slotted in a penalty within the 73rd minute for his twenty eighth aim of the season, taking his tally to the half-century since signing for Rangers from Cremonese two seasons in the past, earlier than midfielder Nicolas Raskin quickly added a 3rd.
The defeat left United nonetheless in fifth spot and seeking to clinch a European spot of their final sport at house to fourth-placed Aberdeen on Saturday.
It may have additionally been the ultimate house match for Barry Ferguson, the previous Rangers captain who took over as boss in February till the tip of the season.
Again-to-back Ibrox wins
Regardless of reaching the Europa League quarter-finals the place they misplaced to Athletic Bilbao, it has been one other wretched and trophyless home season for Rangers, who’re within the midst of an impending takeover bid from an American consortium of Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers Enterprises.
Hypothesis about 35-year-old Davide Ancelotti – assistant to and son of Italian boss Carlo Ancelotti, who has lately agreed to go away Actual Madrid for Brazil – being appointed as the subsequent Rangers boss has been gathering tempo over the previous 48 hours.
Second-placed Rangers end the season away to Hibernian on Saturday and thereafter one other rebuilding programme will happen because the membership look to shut the hole behind champions Celtic who’re chasing their sixth home treble in 9 years.
There was an actual end-of-season really feel to the sport.
Sam Cleall-Harding gave Dundee Utd the lead in opposition to Rangers
Jack Butland’s return in aim may have been interpreted as a goodbye look, having misplaced his place to Liam Kelly final month, whereas striker Hamza Igamane took over from Nedim Bajrami.
United boss Jim Goodwin made 4 modifications with goalkeeper David Richards making his first league begin and Cleall-Harding, Allan Campbell and Kai Fotheringham additionally coming in.
Within the 14th minute of a low-key begin, Igamane directed a header from 14 yards broad of the far submit, the primary actual try on aim.
Butland then made an honest save from Glenn Middleton’s drive from the identical distance earlier than a greater cease from striker Sam Dalby prevented the opener.
Nonetheless, United’s breakthrough was delayed solely a matter of seconds as 19-year-old Cleall-Harding leapt alone within the six-yard field to go in a Ryan Pressure nook.
Dessers then headed in from a Jefte cross to stage.
Nicolas Raskin scored Rangers’ third in opposition to United
Within the fifty fifth minute the striker nicked the ball off hesitant Richards contained in the field however was unable to complete, with Will Ferry clearing the hazard.
Dessers went down within the field beneath stress from United defender Declan Gallagher however referee Calum Scott ignored weak penalty claims, as he did when Vicko Sevelj challenged midfielder Mohamed Diomande contained in the field.
Nonetheless, the VAR despatched Scott to the pitchside monitor and he pointed to the spot and Dessers, taking on penalty duties from skipper James Tavernier, despatched Richards the incorrect approach.
Two minutes later winger Vaclav Cerny slipped in Raskin and he slammed a drive excessive previous Richards to clinch the factors.
