Rangers put pressure on their title rivals by moving top of the Scottish Premiership for the first time in more than two years with a patchy 4-2 win over Dundee United at Ibrox.

Ryan Naderi opened the scoring on the half-hour mark with a close-range finish before Dujon Sterling added a second four minutes from the interval with his first league goal for the Gers. The United forward Amar Fatah reduced the deficit with a strike just before half-time, but Thelo Aasgaard restored the Light Blues’ two-goal advantage in the 52nd minute.

Zach Sapsford returned the nerves to the Ibrox stands with a goal in the 72nd minute, only for Bojan Miovski to come off the bench and settle the game with a deflected strike with five minutes of normal time remaining.

It was a far from perfect performance, but Danny Rohl’s side moved above Hearts on goal difference with six fixtures remaining, albeit the Jambos have the chance to go back to the top when they travel to Livingston on Sunday. Third-placed Celtic, five points behind their Old Firm rivals, face Dundee at Dens Park later the same day.