Mohamed Diomande was sent off in stoppage time for a swing and a miss – but Rangers still managed to come off the canvas to knock out Dundee United 3-1 and banish some of their away day blues.

The Ibrox side had conceded the opening goal in seven games this term going in – and failed to win the lot. But this time they roared back from going behind to Sam Dalby’s strike to claim all three points and end a five match winless streak on the road going back to the start of December. Diomande copped a controversial red in stoppage time for aiming a fresh air slap at Kevin Holt – but the midfielder had already done his job in dragging his side level after Dundee United’s blistering start.

And the visitors put the foot down after the break with Robin Propper blasting a second before Cyriel Dessers belted in a late third to seal a welcome win for Philippe Clement. It’s been tough on the road for the Belgian and he must have feared another difficult day when United struck first after 20 minutes.

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It didn’t come as a surprise either. Goodwin’s men started the stronger and threatened when Declan Gallagher’s header came off the inside of the post and Jack Butland was forced to claw away Luca Stephenson’s low drive.

Gers were struggling to deal with balls into the box – and the opener arrived from a long throw. New boy Ruari Paton launched it, the Rangers defence went to pot and Daldy superbly prodded into the top corner.

United looked comfortable and Diomande’s lever came out of the blue on 37 minutes, when the midfielder carved out some wriggle room 20 yards from goal and then curled through the crowd and into the far corner of the net. Butland blocked a close range header from Kai Fotheringham while Jack Walton’s double save from Dessers and Ned Bajrami in a wide open end to the first half.

Cement’s men maintained the momentum and went ahead four minutes into the second period when Propper popped up unmarked in the box after lingering after a corner and his drive spun off Kevin Holt and past Walton.

The United keeper denied Dessers and Hamza Igamane as Gers pushed for a third. But the home side were inches away from levelling when Dalby raced free and Nico Raskin nudged the striker’s low cross off the inside of his own post.

Gers survived and the offside flag spared Kristijan Trapanovski’s blushes when the sub ballooned over from close range. And the points were in the bag with four minutes to go when Dessers – who saw a strike ruled out for offside moments earlier – raced on to sub Zak Lovelace’s pass to smash high past Walton from a tight angle.

There was a late stooshy when Diomande was sent packing for aiming a swipe after a tangle with Holt, despite VAR urging ref Kevin Holt to have another look. Here's 3 talking points.

A RARE DAY OUT

It’s been tough on the road for travelling Rangers fans in the last year or so, but Tannadice has become the one trip worth taking. Clement’s side won here earlier in the season and this was a welcome victory on the back of a traumatic time away from Ibrox.

The last time the supporters were able to celebrate on the road home was back on December 8 after success up in Dingwall. It looked like it could have been another grim journey in the opening half an hour on Tayside.

But the equaliser was a major boost and the second half performance was much improved. Clement needs to hope that is a sign of things to come as Rangers have difficult jaunts to Hearts, Kilmarnock and Celtic coming on the horizon – and it’s the away day woe that’s put the Belgian under severe pressure.

He had to hope this is a corner turned if he’s going to win his way back into the good books of the punters.

AT A CROSSROADS

Rangers were much stronger in the second period but there were still concerns over some of the defending – especially at set pieces. Dundee United are experts, mind you, and in the first half they caused all kinds of trouble with corners, free kicks and long throws.

Gers were all at sea on occasions and had a problem dealing with the rough and tumble against the likes of Sam Dalby. The opening goal came from a catapulted throw into the box and it was allowed to bounce a couple of times before it ended up in the net.

It wasn’t the only time either. Corner kicks in particular have made the Light Blues look vulnerable. Robin Propper is becoming as much of an enigma at the back as Dessers is up front.

The Dutchman can look like he’s strolling it at times, and he popped with a cracking goal here. But when the ball is launched into the box, Propper seems far from comfortable.

The centre back has been more at home in Europe and he will be a vital man for the visit of Union St Gilloise this week in the Europa League.

STRIKE A DEAL

United are in a Catch 22 with hitman Sam Dalby. The better he plays and the more goals he scores, it might be tougher to keep hold of him in the long term.

The frontman was at it again here, constantly causing the Gers defence problems and popping up with yet another goal. It's 11 for the season now, in just 25 games, and he’s top scorer in the Scottish Premiership and he’s fired the Tangerines right into the frame for a third place finish and European football.

Goodwin won a watch to land him until the end of term – but United fans would love to see him signing a permanent deal. The 25-year-old is out of contract at parent club Wrexham, but the Hollywood backed Welsh outfit have slapped an extension on the table.

It’s yet to be signed and Goodwin would love to get him on the books at Tannadice for the long term. But if Dalby keeps up this form, there will be a lengthy list of interested clubs banging on his door, but could the prospect of playing in Europe tipped the balance?