Cup gloom for Rangers

Rangers crashed out of the Scottish Cup as they produced a poor display in a 2-0 defeat by a determined Dundee United side in their fifth round clash at Ibrox yesterday.

With the sale of Nikica Jelavic to Everton in midweek all the focus before the game was on the Rangers forward line but it was United’s attackers who dominated with an impressive first-half display.

Jonny Russell had an effort ruled out as early as the second minute when Jon Daly fouled keeper Allan McGregor in the build-up before Gavin Gunning headed United into a 15th minute lead.

Sone Aluko and David Healy came close to an equaliser before Russell doubled United’s advantage in the 35th minute when he finished a flowing move.

Rangers manager Ally McCoist used all three substitutes in an attempt to find a way back into the game, with both sides picking up five bookings apiece as tempers flared, but keeper Dusan Pernis didn’t have a save to make in a quiet second half.

Scottish Cup (fifth round): Rangers vs Dundee Utd 0-2; Hearts vs St Johnstone 1-1.