John Rankin

By Graham Barnstaple
April 22 2012

Dundee Utd were the big winners in the SPL this weekend as their 2-0 win over St. Johnstone moved them to within three points of Motherwell in the race for third.

United travelled toPerthin the first game of the weekend and a goal in each half was enough to keep them on the heels of Motherwell. The first goal came in the first half through Robertson who struck a low hard shot past Mannus.

This was reward for United who after the opening ten minutes had dominated and were the most likely to score. Things went from bad to worse in the second half when they were reduced to ten men and lost a second goal.

Striker Sandaza was shown a second yellow for his reaction to a challenge from Sean Dillon. As he left he field he lost his composure and exchanged words with Adams and McKay, his own team mates.

United sealed the three points with a late goal from John Rankin who fired a shot high past the stranded Mannus.

Hearts fell behind in the race for third thanks to a home defeat to Rangers by three goals to nil. The goals coming through an Andy Little double and a Sone Aloku strike.

This put the pressure on Motherwell as they took on Celtic on Sunday afternoon, and three Celtic half goals consigned them to their third defeat in four games.

For an hour the contest was even with both sides having half chances to score. On the hour Celtic introduced youngster Tony Watt and Well put on Henrik Ojamaa. The move worked for Celtic with the debutant scoring twice in four minutes to put the game beyond the home side.

Cha Du Ri added a third late on to rub salt into the Motherwell wounds, but this sets up four exciting games in the coming weeks to decide who takes the second Champions League place.