Miller at the double as Rangers go top

December 16, 2009

Kenny Miller struck twice as Rangers returned to the top of the Scottish Premier League with a 3-0 win over Dundee United in a rearranged game at Tannadice on Tuesday.

A sublime strike from DaMarcus Beasley was enough to separate the sides at half-time before Kenny Miller scored a second-half double to send Rangers one point clear of rivals Celtic in the race for the championship.

The Old Firm side will feel justice has been served after the original fixture between the pair on November 1 was abandoned at half-time due to a water-logged pitch with Rangers leading 1-0.

After a cagey opening ten minutes the first chance of the game fell to Rangers with Nicky Weaver producing a super one-handed save to keep out Beasley’s snap shot from 25 yards.

Lee McCulloch then lashed a shot wide from 20 yards before seeing a volley bounce just inches past the post.

United felt aggrieved when Jon Daly went down in the box following a challenge from Sasa Papac but referee Mike Tumily waved away their penalty claims.

The Arabs rarely threatened and it took until the 25th minute for them to have an effort on goal with Daly heading straight at Neil Alexander from Craig Conway’s free-kick.

Two minutes later Rangers had the lead through a superb left-foot strike from Beasley.

The American collected a pass from Miller on the right wing before jinxing past Paul Dixon and unleashing an unstoppable curling shot into the top left-hand corner of the net for his first league goal since September 2007.

Kris Boyd had a penalty claim turned down after taking a tumble following a nudge from Mihael Kovacevic before the SPL top-scorer sent a fierce low shot just wide from 20 yards.

With 55 minutes on the clock Daly beat his marker to flash a header past Alexander’s post from Dixon’s corner. But it was Rangers who added to their lead in the 58th minute.

Nacho Novo danced past Sean Dillon and Danny Cadamarteri before providing an inch-perfect cross for Miller who sent his downward header through the legs of Weaver and into the net.

United had former Manchester City keeper Weaver to thank for keeping the score down as he denied Madjid Bougherra and Boyd but he was helpless to stop Miller making sure of the points in the 75th minute.

The impressive Beasley picked out the Scotland international in the box and he turned inside defender Darren Dods before striking low past Weaver to seal his side’s second consecutive 3-0 win.

DUNDEE, Scotland (AFP)

Tags: Alexander, arabs, Boyd, craig conway, damarcus beasley, Danny Cadamarteri, Darren Dods, Dundee, dundee united, first chance, foot strike, free kick, Jon Daly, kenny miller, kick two, kovacevic, league goal, Lee McCulloch, left hand corner, manchester city, mcculloch, Mike Tumily, neil alexander, nicky weaver, papac, paul dixon, premier league, scotland, Scottish Premier League, Sean Dillon, top scorer

Rangers power into Scottish League Cup semi-finals

October 28, 2009

Rangers powered into the Scottish League Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 victory over Dundee in the last eight on Tuesday.

Walter Smith’s side, who reached the League Cup final last season, took an early lead when Steven Whittaker headed home John Fleck’s cross in the 15th minute.

Dundee’s Leigh Griffiths equalised after 29 minutes with a superb free-kick to claim his 12th goal of the season.

But the First Division leaders were denied an upset as Gary MacKenzie nodded Whittaker’s cross into his own net in the 57th minute before Fleck’s 85th minute strike, set up by Nacho Novo’s run, completed the job for the Scottish champions.

St Mirren will join Rangers in the last four after turning on the style with a 3-0 victory over Motherwell.

Michael Higdon headed home in the 23rd minute and Jack Ross added a deflected second in the 61st minute.

Motherwell had come from two down to draw in Paisley on Saturday but their comeback attempts ended when Stephen Craigan netted an 80th minute own goal.

St Johnstone stormed into the semi-finals for the second time in four seasons with a 2-1 win against Dundee United.

Steven Anderson put Saints ahead in the 72nd minute when his effort deflected off Sean Dillon.

Darren Dods deflected a free-kick from Liam Craig past his own goalkeeper four minutes later to put Saints on course for victory but Prince Buaben’s first goal in Scottish football, in the 82nd minute, gave United a glimmer of hope.

GLASGOW (AFP)