Dundee United 0-1 Rangers: Analysis

The mood around Rangers was not helped before kick-off with Saturday's news that chairman John Bennett, who has invested heavily in the club in recent years, had resigned as chairman for health reasons.

The Ibrox club were already seeking a new chief executive and a new academy director, while they have just returned to Ibrox after having to spend money hiring Hampden because of delayed renovation work.

Despite it all, manager Philippe Clement insisted in last week's question and answer session with supporters that he believes his side can still win the title and this was always going to be a severe test of those credentials given he was forced into a couple more changes.

Illness denied him of the services of Czech Republic international Vaclav Cerny and, with Rabbi Matondo injured, Kieran Dowell was forced into an unfamiliar wide role.

Rangers could not have asked for a better start as their early intensity forced Tom Lawrence's seventh-minute opener.

It is kind of game you would expect City rivals Celtic to dominate thereafter, but this Rangers side failed to build on that and never looked like one a class above their less expensively assembled hosts.