Rangers ended 2005 on a high note after beating their bogey team Dundee United by 3 goals to 0.
The first half was a predictably tight affair with United perhaps edging it a little but Rangers took control in the second half and killed United off in the last quarter of the game.
Alex McLeish gave a starting spot to youngster Alan Lowing at right back while Steven Smith got his fourth start in a row at left back.
Fernando Ricksen returned to midfield after a short injury lay off and Nacho Novo at last made his first start after being out injured for most of the first half of the season.
It was a nervous start from the teddy bears and the visitors nearly took an early lead through Colin Samuel.
United forward David Fernandez caused Rangers some problems early on and he nearly got on the end of a Colin Samuel cross but Ian Murray managed to head it over for a corner.
From the resulting corner, Marvin Andrews struggled to clear and let in Samuel for a chance but his shot was deflected wide.
Then Ferguson had the best chance of the first half for Rangers after he was put through on goal by Thomas Buffel but United keeper Derek Stillie denied him with a brilliant save. Chris Burke got on to the rebound but his shot was cleared off the line by ex Ranger Paul Ritchie.
Colin Samuel who gave Rangers problems early on had to be replace after 35 minutes due to an injury, the Rangers defence were glad to see the back of him.
So the teams went in 0-0 at half-time and it remained tight until the last quarter of the game. Steven Thompson who came on for Nacho Novo seemed to bring a new lease of life to Rangers.
Rangers got the breakthrough on 68 minutes, Lovenkrands tried an ambitious overhead kick from a Thompson knock down but it fell into Buffel’s path and he slotted it home to make it 1-0.
Rangers continued to attack and managed to double their lead on the 83rd minute and it was Steven Thompson who powered home a great header.
United’s heads seemed to go down after that and only three minutes later Rangers wrapped the game up and it was Peter Lovenkrands getting his name on the scoresheet once again
A comfortable win in the end for Rangers and a good way to end the year. Here’s hoping for more of the same in 2006.
Rangers line-up
R Waterreus, A Lowing, I Murray, M Andrews, S Smith, N Novo, F Ricksen, B Ferguson, C Burke, T Buffel, P Lovenkrands
Subs: S Klos, A Rae, S Thompson, F Jeffers, G MacKenzie, R McCormack, S Campbell
Dundee Utd line-up
D Stillie, M Wilson, D McCracken, P Ritchie, A Archibald, M Kerr, S Duff, B Robson, J McIntyre, C Samuel, D Fernandez
Subs: C Samson, D McInnes, G Kenneth, D Robertson, G Cameron, D Goodwillie, L Miller
Manager Rating
Alex McLeish 8/10 – The gaffer deserves a good drink after a difficult last few months of 2005 ended on a high.
Opponent Rating
Gordon Chisholm 5/10 – His time is running out.