Dundee United 0 - 3 Rangers: Goals flow freely as Tannadice is tamed

Lafferty (6), Mendes (45), Boyd (52)

This was the fourth time since 1976 that they have been anointed at the Dundee ground, but this was a far less fraught occasion than those others, which all came via 1-0 wins.

The reward is far greater in terms of finance, with access to the Champions League group stage now guaranteed after a surprisingly untroubled outing on Tayside.

A challenge that had been expected to test Rangers to the maximum tailed off into a procession, with manager Walter Smith relaxed enough to make fan-pleasing substitutions. Deposed skipper Barry Ferguson was among those permitted to taste the glory, with Rangers having built up a three-goal lead before the hour mark courtesy of goals from Kyle Lafferty, Pedro Mendes and Kris Boyd.

United, meanwhile, reflected on the cost of defeat, with Aberdeen's win at Easter Road having condemned Craig Levein's side to a second successive fifth-place finish. This fall from fourth place meant as well as missing out on qualification for the Europa Cup they are also denied the extra sum of £250,000 which would have accompanied their securing of fourth place.

On the occasion of the club's 100th birthday Ivan Golac, who led the club to their sole Scottish Cup success in 1994 – against Rangers – came on at half-time to salute the United fans, but by then they had begun to fear the worst. Like last year United were cast as bystanders at a title party on their own patch. But their own disappointment meant there was more to endure.

The fall to fifth is barely believable given their success at matching the Old Firm this season. But this ability was marked absent yesterday, although between Rangers' first-half goals the home side briefly showed why they have been reliable tormentors of both Rangers and Celtic in the past.

The loss of just one goal after a furiously energetic start made by Rangers gave the home side hope they could repair the damage. This might have been so had David Robertson made a better attempt at directing a Craig Conway cross past Neil Alexander after 15 minutes.

The Tayside police were provided with an early opportunity to start identifying those Rangers fans who had succeeded, perhaps through duping staff in the United club shop, to obtain tickets for either of the home stands. An opening goal in only six minutes from Lafferty was an early test for these interlopers, one that many failed.

Police escorted those whose cover had been blown by an inability to look glum out of the ground, while Mendes' goal on 45 minutes was the signal for further rooting-out. Boyd wrapped up both the points and title early in the second half.

Smith picked the same team as started against Aberdeen last weekend, which meant Ferguson was named among the substitutes, alongside Allan McGregor. There was no place at all for the injured Christian Dailly as he fell one short of the games required for a championship medal. As it turned out, Rangers could have lost here and still left Tayside as champions. But they were not prepared to leave anything to chance, and hit the ground running. Lee Wilkie and Darren Dods attempted to keep United intact, but might have done with another centre-half, preferably Ron Yeats.

Rangers struck early, but might have gone into the lead even before Lafferty's effort. A Steven Davis pull back was missed by both Boyd and Miller on the edge of the six-yard box.

The opener after six minutes came via the same right flank. Davis played in Boyd and the striker's miss-hit shot fell invitingly into the path of Lafferty. His equally sclaffed attempt at goal wrong-footed Lucasz Zaluska, who was making his last United appearance before joining Celtic.

It seemed inevitable that Lafferty would play a prominent part yesterday. Castigated for his play-acting last weekend when contriving to get an opponent red-carded, the Northern Irishman was free to feature in such an important game due to a dilatory disciplinary process.

His behaviour will not come under discussion until July, when an SFA disciplinary committee meeting sits. He brought this unsatisfactory situation into sharper focus when shrugging off the boos and the jeers of the United fans to send Rangers on their way.

United did raise their game, although Wilkie was compromised by an early booking for dissent after a tangle with Boyd. Robertson should have done better with a header and on-loan Celtic player Paul Caddis was lively on the right flank. David Goodwillie's endeavours in attack caught the eye, but there was too little cut and thrust from the home team, who came nearest to scoring when Paul Dixon's corner was clutched on the line by Neil Alexander.

Those Rangers fans in legitimate seats, and who could show their support without fear of being ejected, roared the side on, and Sasa Papac in particular seemed buoyed by the backing. One fine run from the full-back presented Boyd with an opportunity. His shot was headed off the line by Mihael Kovacevic.

Six minutes later, however, came the goal that all but ensured a fourth Ibrox title since the millennium. Papac again had a part to play after a late challenge by Dods on Maurice Edu. The Bosnian's free kick was cleared, but only as far as Mendes on the edge of the box. The midfielder took a touch and then drove into the corner of the net. The half-time whistle could not be heard amid the rumpus.

Boyd's 31st goal of the season arrived just six minutes after half-time. The striker was first to react to Steven Whittaker's cross from the right, and blasted into the net in front of the Rangers fans. Even bigger cheers were reserved for the introduction of Nacho Novo, for Boyd, and then Ferguson, who replaced Miller.

Many United supporters had already begun to drift off as news filtered through of Aberdeen's progress at Pittodrie. They departed knowing poor form at home since the start of the year had scuppered their hopes of a return to Europe next season.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Sasa Papac (Rangers)

The full-back was the subject of praise from the Rangers fans, and deservedly so. His runs from full-back provided Rangers with another attacking outlet and he dealt well with any threat at the other end. An unsung hero – until yesterday.