Dundee United 1-1 Rangers: Joe Aribo cancels out Ross Graham opener

Joe Aribo fired Rangers level but they could not a winner at Tannadice

Rangers missed the chance to overtake Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic as Dundee United held the defending champions in a Tannadice thriller.

Joe Aribo was denied with a header then levelled from Calvin Bassey's cutback amid relentless second-half pressure.

Amad Diallo hit the post for the visitors but there was to be no winner, meaning Celtic can go three points clear if they beat Dundee later.

Thomas Courts' United end the weekend fifth, in between Hibernian and Motherwell, with all three sides on the same points.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst's Rangers, who beat Europa League hosts Borussia Dortmund 4-2 on Thursday, remain without an away league win in 2022.

• Reaction & as it happened

In a breathless encounter, Rangers' calls for a handball inside the United box were turned down after Charlie Mulgrew's clearance connected with Graham's outstretched arm. Replays suggested the visitors had a case.

Alfredo Morelos was then played in by Scott Arfield at the end of a swift counter-attack but could not get a shot away before goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist gathered.

Ilmari Niskanen sold three Rangers players a dummy and was only denied a goal by a James Tavernier deflection that took the ball inches wide.

The hosts grew in confidence and began to win corners, which proved to be Rangers' undoing. Dylan Levitt crossed from the left and Graham outjumped Filip Helander to beat Allan McGregor. It was an early birthday present for the defender, who turns 21 on Wednesday.

United maintained their intensity early in the second period and Marc McNulty tested McGregor from Niskanen's low cross.

Tavernier's corner was headed powerfully towards goal by Aribo but Siegrist was alert with the save. Substitute Fashion Sakala claimed to have had his shirt tugged by Graham as he tried to score on the rebound.

Sakala improved Rangers as an attacking threat and his two low crosses in quick succession from the right could not be converted by Morelos, Siegrist saving the second chance.

On the other flank, Ryan Kent escaped his man and pressed with the final delivery inches away from the sliding Morelos.

But Rangers' incessant pressure told when Kent's pass released Bassey to the byeline and his low ball back was battered high into the net by Aribo.

Diallo had joined the visiting attack and almost scored when put through by Kent's lob, his effort rattling the right-hand post. Kent retrieved possession and set up Ryan Jack but Mulgrew's superb challenge averted the danger.

Sakala and Kent were off target with further efforts and Siegrist and Sakala needed treatment after they collided in added time.

There was one more nervous moment for Siegrist when another fierce Sakala cross clipped the crossbar.

Man of the match - Ilmari Niskanen

The winger (far right) was a persistent pest to the Rangers defence and unfortunate not to score

What did we learn?

Dundee United have been a thorn in Rangers' side this season, having beaten them once already this term, and Courts clearly saw an avenue from set pieces that his side exploited.

Though many would argue Rangers created enough chances to win, the home side brought a lot to the game and were good value for their point.

Rangers' struggles on the road continue with points now dropped away to Aberdeen, Ross County, Celtic and Dundee United since the winter break.

However, the fight they showed in the second half suggests they are not done with the title race.

What's next?

Rangers play the return leg of their Europa League tie with Borussia Dortmund at Ibrox on Thursday (20:00 GMT). Dundee United visit Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday (15:00).