United heap pressure on Rangers

Rangers plunged deeper into crisis after crashing out of the William Hill Scottish Cup as goals from Gavin Gunning and Johnny Russell secured a 2-0 win for Dundee United at Ibrox.

Russell had the ball in the net for United after a couple of minutes but the effort was disallowed when referee Willie Collum ruled goalkeeper Allan McGregor was fouled by Jon Daly in the build-up.

At the other end, Sone Aluko had a go from distance after collecting from David Healy but dragged the shot across the face of goal and wide of target. Meanwhile, the visitors looked dangerous and Russell threatened with a deflected effort, before McGregor saved well from Paul Dixon at full-stretch.

But United were celebrating with 15 minutes gone when Gunning met a Gary Mackay-Steven cross and sent a firm header past McGregor from eight yards.

Rangers saw efforts from Aluko and Healy saved by Dusan Pernis before the visitors scored again after 35 minutes when Dixon slipped the ball into the path of the unmarked Russell and he took advantage of the space to rifle high past the grasp of McGregor.

The game could have been over as a contest in the second half, had Garry Kenneth been able to hit the target with a close-range header, while United almost added to their lead when McGregor reacted quickly to block from John Rankin.