SPL wrap: Rangers blow chances, Kilmarnock held

Rangers wasted a glorious chance to move top of the Scottish Premier League on Saturday after suffering a 3-2 loss to Dundee United at Ibrox.

With league-leading Celtic’s match at Inverness postponed because of a waterlogged pitch, Rangers could have gone a point clear of their bitter rivals with a win, but instead will rue a missed opportunity.

Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic gave the hosts the lead after 19 minutes, but United drew level on the stroke of half-time thanks to a David Robertson goal.

Steven Naismith restored Rangers’ advantage seven minutes after the break, but United striker David Goodwillie equalised on the 77-minute mark to set up a thrilling finale.

At one end, Steven Whittaker hit the bar for Rangers with a header after 89 minutes, and United immediately took the ball up the park with Goodwillie scoring his second to complete a stunning fightback.

United strengthened their grip on fourth place and a Europa League berth, moving three clear of fifth-placed Kilmarnock having played one fewer match.

Elsewhere, Kilmarnock’s European push was not helped when they were held to a 0-0 draw by St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, while Motherwell scored a 1-0 win over Aberdeen courtesy of a goal from midfielder Chris Humphrey.

And in a battle of the bottom two, Hamilton remain nine points adrift at the foot of the table after suffering a 3-1 loss at St Mirren.

Striker Michael Higdon did the damage for the Paisley side, scoring a second-half hat-trick to cancel out David Buchanan’s opener for Hamilton two minutes before half-time.