Kovacevic strikes caps drama to deny Rangers

A late equaliser from Mihael Kovacevic earned Dundee United a dramatic 3-3 draw against Rangers and forced their Scottish Cup quarter-final to a replay yesterday. United took the lead through the substitute Andis Shala but Rangers appeared to be cruising towards the last four when Kris Boyd grabbed a double from the penalty spot and Nacho Novo netted a third for the holders.

But the Tangerines – who were thrashed 7-1 in their last visit to Ibrox – were thrown a lifeline thanks to a Steven Whittaker own-goal, before Kovacevic levelled late on.

The United manager, Peter Houston, said: "When we went down 3-1, a lot of people would have been asking if we had the character to come back from that or would we fold like we did the last time we were here.

"But, under no circumstances did I feel we were going to fold. I mentioned pre-match in the hotel to remember how bad that felt. There is a determination to win, they are winners and that's why we are in a decent position."

Already into the semi-final draw are Celtic, after Robbie Keane's second-half hat-trick took them past Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Saturday. Raith Rovers beat Dundee 2-1 to go through but Hibernian and Ross County face a replay after their 2-2 draw.