Smith bemoans sloppy Rangers

WALTER SMITH rued Rangers’ inability to handle set-pieces after the club’s title hopes were dented again. Dundee United moved level on points with the Gers in the Premier League after Barry Robson’s penalty winner at Tannadice.

Lee Wilkie volleyed the opener from Willo Flood’s 28th-minute free-kick and Rangers were only briefly level following Daniel Cousin’s penalty six minutes after the break.

Carlos Cuellar tugged Jordan Robertson’s shirt three minutes later as Rangers defended a long throw to give Robson the chance to net the winner.

“There wasn’t much in it in the first half apart from a set piece for United, which we are obviously disappointed to have lost,” Smith said.

“It livened up a bit after half-time — it was a terrific second half.

“For the first part of it we probably had more opportunities than a lot of the away games we have played this season.

“But after we got back into it they got a foul from a throw in. We are disappointed that overall the two goals we have lost have come from set-play.

“That has happened on different occasions this year. That failure to handle that aspect has lost us the game.”

DUNDEE UNITED: McLean, Dillon, Wilkie, Dods, Kalvenes, Flood, Bauben (Kerr 90), Gomis, Robson, Jordan Robertson, Hunt.

Subs Not Used: Zaluska, Daly, Robb, Kenneth, Duff, Goodwillie.

RANGERS: McGregor, Hutton, Weir, Cuellar, Papac, Beasley, Ferguson, Faye (Novo 46), Thomson, McCulloch, Cousin (Boyd 79).

Subs Not Used: Carroll, Naismith, Whittaker, Lennon, Furman.

REFEREE: Dougie McDonald.