MICKY MELLON was left to rue Dundee United's first half profligacy as they suffered a 4-1 defeat to title chasing Rangers at Ibrox.

The Arabs equipped themselves well as they posed Steven Gerrard's side a series of problems in the opening stages of an entertaining Premiership clash.

Keeper Allan McGregor made impressive stops to deny Lawrence Shankland and Louis Appere but a late strike from Marc McNulty was all the visitors had to show for their efforts.

Mellon said: "If you’re going to come here and want to be successful, if you create that number of chances you have to take them, simple as that.

"We’ll take away from it the fact we were good enough to create those chances but if you’re going to be a team challenging at the right end of the table, you’ve got to take them.

"Walking up the tunnel at half-time I understood why we’re 2-0 down, because you’re playing against the team at the top and the teams at the top seem to score those kinds of goals. That’s probably why they’re top.

"We need to concentrate on the things we need to do better – we need to get out the box and block those moments. But in terms of where we’re at, there were a lot of pleasing things.

"At times you understand Rangers have players worth millions and they’re going to punish you at some stage.

"But in terms of my lads going out and showing progression, we’ve certainly done that.

"I didn’t think their heads went down after Rangers scored. I thought the game became even. I’d say we were the better team in the first half-hour.

"They were disappointed at the goals we gave away, but we went out and lost another crazy goal and that’s maybe what happens when you come to places like this."