Malik Tillman conjures Rangers magic to down Dundee United in Ibrox stroll – 3 talking points

Malik Tillman ensured Allan McGregor toasted his 500th Rangers appearance with a victory as the America’s double downed Dundee United at Ibrox.

McGregor reached his remarkable milestone 21 years on from making he debut. But it was a largely stress-free occasion for the keeper as Gers eased to a win against the Premiership basement boys. It wasn’t always slick from Michael Beale’s team but two goals either side of the interval from Tillman ensured there were no slip-ups as the Light Blues closed the gap on leaders to Celtic to six points for 24 hours at least.

Beale threw all three of his playmakers Tillman, Todd Cantwell and Ryan Kent at United but the performance was a movie the Ibrox faithful have seen countless times before. Gers started with a decent tempo but struggled to maintain it in the face of stubborn resistance from a United side happy to sit in two banks of tangerine jerseys soaking up pressure.

Tillman’s goal eight minutes before the break finally broke their defiance and it came just in time to waken up a home support in danger of drifting off. It might have been a livelier first period had the Light Blues capitalised on their quick start.

Skipper James Tavernier was first to threaten but saw his back-post strike blocked by Mark Birighitti. United didn’t get forward often but they really should have done better with their first foray upfield.

Having intercepted Kent’s slack pass, Jim Goodwin’s team were quick to counter. Peter Pawlett outpaced Connor Goldson as he closed in on goal but opted to play in Steven Fletcher rather than take a pop himself and saw Ben Davies’ vital interception save the day for Gers.

Alfredo Morelos headed just wide from a corner before Kent went close with another opportunity as