Of deep significance

decision to make. It’s down to what we do on the park – not what goes on off it. Just because of all the stuff that’s happened to Rangers doesn’t mean that we don’t want to beat them and they’re still massive games.”

An element of hype was understandable, but the reality was a fairly tame occasion. A truly i ntense atmosphere requires both sets of supporters to be on edge, and this was too one-sided to be fraught.

There was nothing positive for the Rangers fans to react to, after all, since the defence was so abject that United were able to casually take the lead.

The home fans sang “Who The Hell Are You?”, “Are You Rangers In Disguise”, and constantly asked Ally McCoist what the score was. A chant in support of United chairman Stephen Thompson was even briefly aired. They were revelling in Rangers’ misfortune, although the three fans who were sitting behind one of the goals and wearing Craig

With all the stuff that’s happened they’re still massive games

Whyte masks never pulled them down over their faces.

Rangers could only muster a sense of futility, on and off the pitch. This was a muted occasion f or t hem, and once United established their lead, theurgewas only to bear the circumstances. A spate of bookings told of the players’ frustrations, and once t he scoreline became 3-0 in the second half, both Kal Naismith and Ian Black lost their composure. Neither was violent in their tackles, but they were ill- judged, and they deserved their punishments: a straight red card for Naismith and a second yellow for Black, who stared at the United supporters who were taunting him as he walked off, then mimicked taking the corner flag out as though he was going to throw it.

The outcome, and the nature of Rangers’ display, only emphasised to McCoist how far Rangers have fallen from previous standards. The United players, though, could cherish the result. “That victory feels just as good as if [Rangers] were in the SPL,” Russell said.