Novo double brings Rangers within point of Celtic

Nacho Novo grabbed a double to help Rangers beat Dundee United 3-1 yesterday and move to within a point of leaders Celtic in the Scottish Premier League.

Rangers now have 82 points from 35 matches while leaders Celtic are on 83 from 36 with just two games left in their bid to retain the title and face Hibernian at home today.

Spanish striker Novo scored the opener after six minutes at Ibrox following a free-kick by Kevin Thomson and 11 minutes later lashed home his second goal from the edge of the area.

Rangers survived a couple of second-half scares when Noel Hunt was denied a penalty 10 minutes after the break after he was brought down by central defender David Weir.

Weir then turned the ball into his own net from a Danny Swanson shot only for the 'goal' to be ruled offside.

United managed to set up a nervous finish when Dutch striker Mark De Vries headed home in the 76th minute.

But Rangers got a third in stoppage time when Jean-Claude Darcheville rammed in a low cross from Barry Ferguson.