Dundee United 3 Rangers 3: Levein proud of Terrors despite Rangers surrender

(PA)

Dundee United manager Craig Levein praised his players despite three times losing the lead to Rangers in a 3-3 draw at Tannadice.

Christian Kalvenes put the home side ahead after 37 minutes but Davie Weir equalised with a header one minute before the interval.

Noel Hunt restored the Taysiders lead six minutes after the break only for Nacho Novo to bring the scoreline level again.

A Carlos Cuellar own goal in the 65th minute put United ahead before Rangers striker Kris Boyd pounced on a poor backpass from Willo Flood just two minutes later to make it 3-3.

"Give me that any day rather than a boring 0-0 draw," Levein said. "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."

After Celtic lost 1-0 to Motherwell at Parkhead on Saturday, Rangers had the chance to go nine points clear with a game in hand but had to settle for a point.

However, manager Walter Smith was not too unhappy, saying: "You are always looking at results. 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 today and I'm sure it was the same for Motherwell at Celtic Park yesterday."

Goals: Kalvenes (37) 1-0; Weir (44) 1-1; Hunt (51) 2-1; Novo (58) 2-2; Cuellar og (65) 3-2; Boyd (67) 3-3.

Dundee United (4-4-2): Zaluska; Dillon, Wilkie, Dods, Kalvenes; Flood, Kerr, Gomis, Robertson; Hunt, De Vries (Daly, 64). Substitutes not used: McLean, Grainger, O'Brien, Conway, Kovacevic, Buaben.

Rangers (4-4-2): McGregor; Whittaker, Weir, Cuellar, Papac; Novo, Ferguson, Dailly, Thomson (Darcheville, 75); McCulloch, Boyd (Naismith, 88). Substitutes not used: Alexander, Davis, Broadfoot, Lennon, McMillan.

Referee: C Richmond.

Booked: Dundee United Kerr; Rangers McCulloch.

Man of the match: Kalvenes.

Attendance: 11,214.