Rangers 7 points clear

lil eva · Rangers 7 points clear

Rangers squandered the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier Scottish League to nine points after being held to a 3-3 draw by Dundee United at Tannadice on Sunday.

Christian Kalvenes, Noel Hunt and an own goal from Carlos Cuellar provided the home side with the lead on three occasions but they were pegged back each time by Rangers in a thrilling contest.

David Weir, Nacho Novo and Kris Boyd were all on the scoresheet but the SPL leaders failed to find the winning goal that would allow them to take a major leap towards wrapping up the title.

United manager Craig Levein told BBC Radio Scotland: "Give me that any day rather than a boring 0-0 draw.

"It was an excellent football match and I enjoyed it greatly. It took a few years off my life but what a wonderful game.

"In open play, that's as good as we have played all season.

"But it shows you the resilience of Rangers. We played so well and were ahead three times and they still came back."

Rangers boss Walter Smith said: "People talk about the league championship in terms of Old Firm games deciding it but it is apparent now that it's not the case.

"The other teams in Scotland have a great deal of pride about them and they work extremely hard.

"Look at Dundee United here and I'm sure it was the same for Motherwell at Celtic Park.

"Rangers and Celtic have always got to play extremely well to overcome any of the teams that they play and this was no exception.

"We wanted a win but in all fairness, we couldn't argue with the result.

"Dundee United played well and we had to work extremely hard to match them."