Red-hot Nigerian striker Cyril Dessers grabbed the match winner as Rangers came from behind to win for the first time in the Premiership this season with an eventful 3-1 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice.
The home side took the lead through loan striker Sam Dalby in the 19th minute but Rangers midfielder Mohamed Diomande levelled after 37 minutes and defender Robin Propper put his side ahead shortly after half-time with a deflected drive.
Dessers, who had scored a stunning equaliser in the 2-1 Europa League defeat by Manchester United on Thursday night, added a wonderful third goal.
Philippe Clement’s side are now 10 points behind leaders Celtic, who have played a game less after their match on Saturday against Dundee was called off due to weather damage to their stadium.
As expected Clement rang the changes with Clinton Nsiala, Diomande, Ianis Hagi and Dessers returning, with Leon Balogun, Connor Barron and Vaclav Cerny, all injured at Old Trafford, missing, as was Ridvan Yilmaz.
However, Dalby, whose loan from Wrexham will go onto the end of the season, pounced after the Rangers defence failed miserably to deal with a long throw from Will Ferry, forcing the ball high past Butland from 10 yards to take his tally to 11 for the season.
Rangers equalised when Diomande took a pass from Tavernier and drilled a shot from the edge of the box through a clutch of tangerine jerseys and in at the far post past keeper Jack Walton.
United remained dangerous and Butland made a point-blank save from Dalby following a cross from Strain, while Walton made saves from Dessers and Nedim Bajrami to finish the first half.
Dessers had the ball in the United net from a Bajrami pass but the offside flag was correctly raised.
However, the Nigeria striker flashed a shot from a pass from substitute Zak Lovelace high past Walton in the 86th minute to seal the win.
