Jelavic bags brace in Gers victory

05 November 2011 17:47

Nikica Jelavic claimed a double as Rangers moved 15 points clear of Celtic at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with a 3-1 win over Dundee United.

The striker netted the opener in the first half and doubled the lead from the penalty spot after the break.

Jon Daly got a goal back for the visitors, but United defender Garry Kenneth was then responsible for Rangers' third with an own-goal, with the only dampener on the day for the Scottish champions being the dismissal of Gregg Wylde late on.

The home side that surged into the lead with 19 minutes gone. Matt McKay delivered the cross from the right for Jelavic and he left goalkeeper Dusan Pernis with no chance as he bulleted a header into the back of the net.

Jelavic could have added to his tally when he met a Lee Wallace ball from the left with a volley in front of goal that Pernis did well to hold on this occasion. That proved to be Wallace's last real involvement in the game as he was replaced by Wylde after 32 minutes after being forced out of the action through injury.

United emerged for the second half determined to haul themselves back into the game and Kenneth tried his luck with a speculative shot from distance that failed to trouble Allan McGregor.

But their hopes were dealt a blow when referee Brian Winter pointed to the penalty spot after Wylde was felled in the box by Paul Dixon. Jelavic stepped up for the spot-kick and sent Pernis the wrong way with a composed finish to grab his second of the day with 63 minutes gone.

Dundee United threw themselves a life-line after 73 minutes when Daly met Kenneth's cross and looped a header past the grasp of McGregor.

But there appeared to be no way back for United when Steven Whittaker delivered a teasing ball into the box and Jelavic produced a diving header that was inadvertently directed into the back of the net by Kenneth with eight minutes to go.

Wylde was then shown a red card in the final minute for a challenge on Willo Flood as Rangers ended the game with 10 men but with three points.

Source: PA