Rangers 2-0 Dundee United

Jan 6 2008 Mark Guidi At Ibrox

Naisy Shows Gers Were Right To Shell Out For Him

RANGERS boss Walter Smith hailed Stevie Naismith after another fine display from the striker helped send his side top.

The former Kilmarnock kid grabbed an early opener against United before skipper Barry Ferguson put Gers in the comfort zone with the second.

Craig Levein's side never looked like coming back and Rangers could even afford to see sub Kris Boyd miss a late spot-kick.

Winger Chris Burke was involved in both goals and continued his rebirth with another fine display.

But Smith was even more pleased with Naismith who's proving why the Ibrox gaffer shelled out s2million to land him in the summer.

The hitman's movement was superb and there's no doubt he will have a major part to play for Rangers as the title race hots up.

Smith said: "Stevie has been doing well. It has been noticeable that younger lads take a bit of time when they move to the Old Firm because there are different demands.

"Stevie is coping well with the demands and we're pleased with the progress he is making. He took his goal well today.

"Steven Whittaker and Kevin Thomson are also doing well."

Not surprisingly Gers were unchanged after their excellent 2-1 win at Hibs last weekend.

They went for the jugular immediately in that game and it was the same yesterday.

United were camped on their 18-yard line early on and struggled to get out. Burke looked bang in the mood again and enjoyed going at United new boy Danny Grainger.

And the winger set up the opener after nine minutes when his left-foot cross was headed home from eight yards by Naismith.

It was a well-worked goal but United's marking was shocking and boss Levein was furious.

The Tannadice side were woeful in the first half. Only Barry Robson and Mark Kerr looked willing to get wired in and make life as difficult as possible for the opposition.

This could be Robson's last game for United as there is serious interest from Celtic - and the player has made it clear he wants to go to the Parkhead club.

Rangers almost doubled their lead in 36 minutes when a low Burke shot was superbly saved by Euan McLean.

Alan Hutton then saw a header skim the bar after Burke flighted in the corner.

United stopper Lee Wilkie was booked three minutes later for a shocking challenge on Naismith.

Wilkie and Darren Dods were all over the place in the first half and it was no surprise to see Gers increase their lead after 40 minutes.

And the goal hero was Ferguson, who wore an armband with the No.10 and a Motherwell club crest as his own tribute to Phil O'Donnell.

Burke was the creator again and Ferguson's glancing header from10 yards beat the helpless McLean.

The Ibrox skipper was clearly onside but assistant ref Gary Sweeney flagged for offside against two other Rangers players.

Mike McCurry consulted his colleague before over-ruling him and allowing the goal to stand.

Levein said: "I've no arguments with that decision. One goal might have been enough anyway as we lacked a cutting edge."

Gers continued to press in the second half and Daniel Cousin wasted two good chances to put the game beyond United's reach.

Levein changed things in 52 minutes when he hooked on-loan Leicester striker Eric Odhiambo and brought on midfielder Craig Conway.

Noel Hunt moved from wide left to take Odhiambo's place up front.

The United boss brought on his first sub just before half-time when Danny Swanson came on for defender Sean Dillon.

The former Berwick Rangers kid made a good impression but United continued to disappoint and never forced Rangers keeper Allan McGregor into serious action.

The game went through a flat spell and Smith made a change after 70 minutes when Nacho Novo came on for Naismith. Boyd was also introduced for Cousin with eight minutes to go while Levein threw stopper Wilkie up front.

Rangers should have bagged a third when Novo was brought down in the box by midfielder Willo Flood.

Boyd took the kick but it was brilliantly saved by the impressive McLean, low to his left.

The Tannadice keeper then made a few more fine stops in the closing stages as Burke ran riot and Rangers heaped on the pressure.

MATCH STATS

SHOTS ON 8

SHOTS OFF 5

OFFSIDE 5

FOULS 11

CORNER 7

BOOKING 0

SHOTS ON 2

SHOTS OFF 0

OFFSIDE 1

FOULS 19

CORNER 1

BOOKING 2

REF WATCH

MIKE McCURRY had some tough decisions to make but didn't shirk from any of them. There were few tough tackles and McCurry can be pleased with his performance. A good start to the new year from the whistler. Let's just hope he keeps it up.

Rating: 7/10.