Rangers’ hopes of retaining the Scottish title suffered a major blow this afternoon when they were held to a draw by Dundee United at Tannadice in their first game since their historic win over Borussia Dortmund in Germany.

A first-half goal from United defender Ross Graham – his first in senior football – gave Tam Courts’ side a deserved lead.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team fought back bravely and Joe Aribo equalised with his seventh strike of the season in the 76th minute.

But the visitors were unable to get another and were left with just a point to show for their efforts at the end of the 90 minutes.

The Ibrox club, who were hailed as heroes by their fans after beating Bundesliga giants Dormund 4-2 in the first leg of the Europa League knockout round play-off in the Westfalenstadion on Thursday night, went into the game today a point behind leaders Celtic in the cinch Premiership table.

However, their city rivals can forge three points clear if they can overcome second-bottom Dundee at Parkhard later.

Rangers had a penalty claim ignored by referee Bobby Madden early on after Graham handled a Charlie Mulgrew clearance – and could have been awarded a spot kick when the same player held substitute Fashion Sakala in the second-half.  

But the final scoreline was by no means harsh on Van Bronckhorst’s out-of-sorts side.

They have now dropped no fewer than nine points in their seven league outings since play restarted last month after the winter break.

United, who beat Rangers 1-0 in the second Premiership game of the 2021/22 campaign back in August, moved above Motherwell into fifth place with the draw.

Van Bronckhorst was without Aaron Ramsey, his marquee January loan signing from Juventus, on Tayside as the Welsh midfielder was suffering from what was described as “a minor knock”.

He is, though, expected to return to training this week along with Leon Balogun and Jon McLaughlin, who were also not involved, and be available for the Dortmund rematch on Thursday night.

The Dutchman freshened up his defence following their midweek exertions. Filip Helander came in at centre half alongside Connor Goldson, Calvin Bassey moved to left back and Borna Barisic dropped to the replacements' bench.

Mulgrew, the former Celtic and Scotland player, boosted United’s chances of recording another victory over their rivals when he returned to their starting line-up.

He slotted into the centre of a three man defence, Calum Butcher pushed forward into midfield and new signing Kevin McDonald dropped out of the squad altogether.

Courts went with Marc McNulty and Tony Watt up front in his 3-5-2 formation – but his front men saw little of the ball in the early exchanges as James Tavernier and his team mates took control of proceedings.

Only two timely interventions in their penalty area by first Graham and then Mulgrew, who dispossessed Ryan Kent and Aribo respectively, prevented Rangers from taking the lead.

Madden ignored appeals by Rangers players and supporters for a penalty when Graham handled a Mulgrew clearance inside the United area in the 11th minute. It clearly struck the centre half’s arm.

The match official was correct to award United a free-kick just outside the Rangers penalty box shortly afterwards when Helander brought down McNulty. Mulgrew played it short to Ian Harkes who squared to McNulty in front of goal. But Ryan Jack slid in and prevented the forward from getting on the end of the pass.  

 Imari Niskanen was desperately unlucky not to break the deadlock when he caught Goldson sleeping, burst forward, chopped inside Helander and curled a shot towards the bottom left corner of goal. His attempt struck Tavernier’s heel and spun just past the post.

But United were clearly growing in confidence and nobody in the ground could begrudge them the opener when it came in the 29th minute. Graham rose above Helander, got on the end of a Dylan Levitt corner and nodded a downward header beyond Allan McGregor.

United were prepared to resort to any methods to protect their lead and Ryan Edwards, Graham and Watt were all booked in the first-half for bad challenges. Alfredo Morelos was also yellow carded after taking exception to the close attentions of Edwards.  

Tavernier shelled a couple of free-kicks high over the crossbar towards the end of the opening 45 minutes. But at no stage did they look like levelling. Barisic followed Madden off the park at half-time and let him know what he had thought of his decisions.

United nearly doubled their tally just five minutes into the second-half after Niskanen found McNulty. Only a good reaction save from McGregor denied the striker.

Van Bronckhorst had seen enough by the 58th minute and replaced Scott Arfield with Sakala. The replacement very nearly equalised shortly after taking to the field. Benjamin Siegrist kept an Aribo header out of his net at a Tavernier corner and Sakala had a follow-up shot cleared by Liam Smith.

The Zambian injected energy and much-needed guile into Rangers’ play in the final third and he came close to teeing up Morelos for a goal in the 69th minute. But nothing was falling for the visitors in front of goal. Aribo and Morelos were unable to turn in a Kent delivery four minutes later.

Amad Diallo took over from Helander and John Lundstram moved from midfield into defence. Van Bronckhorst was throwing caution to the wind and his bravery was rewarded when the equaliser finally arrived in the 76th minute. Aribo rifled a Bassey cutback high into the roof of the net.

Diallo, the Manchester United loanee, looked certain to score after being sent through on the United goal by Kent. But he struck the right post. Sakala also hit the crossbar in injury-time and Rangers dropped two precious points.