Rangers verdict: Only one star man as they eclipse 28-year-old unbeaten record

Rangers make the breakthrough against Dundee United at Ibrox as Joe Aribo's shot is flicked home by team-mate Ianis Hagi. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)

But if there was a prize on offer for the footballer who is the easiest on the eye in this country, the Nigerian international playmaker would have few challengers for the crown.

Aribo lit up an absorbing Premiership contest at Ibrox as Rangers overcame a sluggish start to ultimately outclass and overwhelm Dundee United.

The 24-year-old really is something to behold when in full flow, utilising his outstanding technique with almost balletic movement. On a playing surface which is far from pristine, Aribo still managed to glide effortlessly beyond opponents as he weaved his influence decisively over proceedings.

Ryan Kent makes it 2-0 to Rangers as his shot is deflected in off Dundee United defender Ryan Edwards. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)

He was the fulcrum of a victory which moved Steven Gerrard’s squad to within touching distance of a title triumph which has been an inevitability for some time now.

Late to the party

If there is a degree of nervous tension developing among the Rangers players as the finishing line comes ever closer, it perhaps manifested itself in a sloppy opening half hour which saw veteran goalkeeper Allan McGregor make three top notch saves to prevent United taking the lead.

Gerrard has been critical of his team ‘turning up late’ to matches on previous occasions this season and this was certainly one of those. But when you eventually make an entrance in the manner sparked by Aribo, that tardiness is soon forgotten.

Alfredo Morelos celebrates after scoring his 12th goal of the season in Rangers' 4-1 Premiership victory over Dundee United at Ibrox. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)

For Gerrard, this was another milestone moment as Rangers stretched their unbeaten league run this season to 30 matches - beating the 29-game sequence recorded by Walter Smith’s Champions League semi-finalists back in 1992-93.

It was achieved on the back of the mentally and physically draining 4-3 win over Royal Antwerp in Belgium three days earlier, a Europa League success which came at the cost of injuries to James Tavernier and Kemar Roofe.

There was further concern on that front for Gerrard here as Ryan Jack, who has been troubled by a long-standing knee issue which sidelined him for two months earlier in the campaign, left the action looking disconsolate after just 27 minutes.

The strength in depth of Gerrard’s squad is certainly being tested as they reach the business end of the season and Glen Kamara entered the fray to provide a more than adequate replacement for Jack.

Balogun steps up again

Rangers were also gratified by the contribution of Leon Balogun at right-back. While the big defender lacks the natural attacking instincts of Tavernier in a role which is so crucial to the way Gerrard’s team operate, he turned in a performance his absent skipper would have been more than happy to put his name to.

Ironically, it was in Balogun’s natural department of central defence where Rangers looked less than convincing in those opening stages when an adventurous United side could scarcely believe they did not go in front.

McGregor was less than impressed at the manner those in front of him were dissected as the visitors carved out three premium chances. He bailed his team-mates out each time as he first denied Lawrence Shankland, then twice kept out efforts from Louis Appere.

Instead of taking the lead, United found themselves 2-0 down at half-time as Rangers, prompted by Steven Davis and inspired by Aribo, finally clicked into gear.

Aribo, who had seen an earlier shot brilliantly saved by Benjamin Siegrist, displayed some dazzling footwork on the right of the United penalty area and his shot was cleverly flicked beyond Siegrist by Ianis Hagi on the edge of the six yard box in the 35th minute.

Three minutes later, Rangers were in complete control and United shell-shocked as Ryan Kent made it 2-0 when his shot was deflected in off Ryan Edwards after Balogun had headed a Borna Barisic cross into the winger’s path.

There already looked to be no way back for United and any hopes they nursed of a recovery were wiped out by a stunning goal from Aribo three minutes into the second half as he cut in from the left to guide home a thunderous shot from around 20 yards.

Morelos gets his reward

Now totally dominant and knocking the ball about with purpose and precision, the only thing this display lacked from Rangers was a goal by Alfredo Morelos. The Colombian striker had been denied on three occasions by Siegrist but he got the goal his overall play merited as a result of a 64th minute error by the United ‘keeper whose attempted clearance struck Morelos and rebounded into the empty net.

Morelos earned a penalty for Rangers when he was fouled by Jeando Fuchs but Barisic couldn’t repeat the success he had from the spot against Antwerp, the Croatian left-back’s effort saved by Siegrist.

Gerrard was able to hand another cameo outing to Scott Wright who yet again impressed with his touch and movement, encouragingly appearing to strike up an instant understanding with Aribo.

There was also a debut for Gerrard’s other January signing, central defender Jack Simpson. The 24-year-old replaced Filip Helander for the closing stages and was given a stern test by United substitute Mark McNulty.

It was McNulty who grabbed United’s 86th minute consolation goal with a fine strike from the edge of the box after Simpson was unable to cut the ball out.

It was only the second goal Rangers have conceded at home in the league this season, a minor blot on their landscape in which the view still looks out clearly to an impending title party.

Rangers (4-3-3): McGregor, Balogun, Goldson, Helander (Simpson 67), Barisic; Davis (Wright 63), Jack (Kamara 27), Aribo; Hagi (Arfield 63), Morelos (Defoe 67), Kent. Subs not used: McLaughlin, Stewart, King, Itten.

Dundee United (4-3-1-2): Siegrist, L Smith, Edwards, Reynolds, Robson; Fuchs, Butcher, Harkes (K.Smith 90+2); Clark; Shankland, Appere (McNulty 68). Subs not used: Deniz, Sporle, Connolly, Hoti, Chalmers, Bolton, Neilson.

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