Rangers 4-1 Dundee United: Steven Gerrard won’t get ‘carried away’ as title looms

Steven Gerrard will not get “carried away too soon” despite victory over Dundee United meaning Rangers need 10 points to win the Scottish Premiership.

Joe Aribo netted a stunning third to kill the game, then goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist’s clearance cannoned off Alfredo Morelos and into the net.

Borna Barisic missed a penalty before Marc McNulty got a late consolation.

Rangers have now played 30 of their 38 league fixtures and lead nearest challengers Celtic by 18 points before they visit Ross County at 19:30 GMT.

As their final game before the split is an Old Firm derby, Gerrard’s side could claim the title by winning their next three league fixtures.

“I think it is normal to think [about winning the league],” the manager said. “I don’t think there is any harm to think. But the one thing I won’t do is get carried away too soon. We have got to finish the job.

“The opportunity is there for us but we have won nothing yet. The main thing that has pleased me at the moment is that the players are really in the zone. I can see the focus, I can see the determination.”

Micky Mellon’s United are a point off sixth-placed St Mirren, who have a game in hand, but might have overtaken them had they taken their chances at Ibrox.

Lawrence Shankland missed the best of them, shooting at Allan McGregor after being played in following a fine move, and Louis Appere was also denied by the goalkeeper shortly afterwards.

Rangers, without injured captain and top scorer James Tavernier, responded and Aribo’s bending shot gave Siegrist the chance to impress with a touch wide.

Steven Gerrard went to his bench as early as the 27th minute with Glen Kamara taking over from Ryan Jack and McGregor kept his side on terms again by beating away Appere’s powerful drive.

United had enjoyed the better of it, but Rangers grabbed the lead as Aribo patiently probed on the left edge of the box before Hagi’s flick diverted his shot and wrong-footed Siegrist.

A second goal followed within three minutes. Barisic’s cross was headed up by Leon Balogun and Kent’s strike came off the unfortunate Ryan Edwards to again leave Siegrist helpless.

Two deflected goals and the tide had turned. Steven Davis volleyed wide before Siegrist denied Morelos at close range with a stunning save, the striker also unable to force in the rebound.

And Aribo got the goal of the game three minutes into the second period, playing a one-two with Morelos on the left and thundering a shot into the opposite corner.

Morelos came close with a header but did find the net somewhat unintentionally when Siegrist’s panicked clearance cannoned back off him and flashed into the net.

But Siegrist redeemed himself by parrying away Barisic’s spot-kick after Jeando Fuchs was penalised for a challenge on Morelos.

Defender Jack Simpson made his Rangers debut as a replacement for Filip Helander but would not be part of a clean sheet.

Substitute McNulty exchanged passes with Shankland and swept a low shot past McGregor to become the second visiting player to score a league goal at Ibrox this season.

And 16-year-old defender Kerr Smith made a late debut appearance off the bench for United.

Man of the match – Joe Aribo

What did we learn?

Rangers played most of Thursday’s 4-3 Europa League win over Royal Antwerp without Tavernier and so how the team would function in the marauding right-back’s absence was not a complete mystery.

Stand-in Balogun showed his attacking credentials at the second goal and was solid defensively.

Off the back of two wins, United’s confidence was evident in the first half and they performed with ambition in the opening half hour without taking any of the good chances they created.

A top-six finish in their first season back in the top flight remains a target, albeit games with Aberdeen and Celtic in their next three will make it a tough task.

What did they say?

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard: “I think it is normal to think [about winning the league]. I don’t think there is any harm to think. But the one thing I won’t do is get carried away too soon. We have just got to finish the job off.

“The opportunity is there for us but we have won nothing yet. The main thing that has pleased me at the moment is that the players are really in the zone. I can see the focus, I can see the determination.”

Dundee United manager Micky Mellon: “if you create that number of chances, you have to take them, simple as that. Rangers have players worth millions and they’re going to punish you at some stage.

“But if we perform like today, we will undoubtedly be a force in the Premiership. Standards are getting set all the time and we set a new one today.”

What’s next?

Rangers play the home leg of their last-32 tie with Royal Antwerp on Thursday (17:55 GMT). Dundee United visit Kilmarnock on league business on Saturday (15:00).