Arveladze to the rescue again Arteta struts his stuff to prove there can be life after Ferguson as United make Rangers fight all the way

IN the clamour for proof of life after Barry Ferguson, Rangers were very nearly unravelled by another former employee intent on proving a point.

Billy Dodds, a typical example of Dick Advocaat's panic-buying policy, emerged from the substitutes' bench with his old team desperately defending a slender lead. Just as with comedy, timing is everying. With his first touch of the ball, Dodds had Rangers staring at their first stalemate of the season, against a team pilloried for their pitiful Premierleague start.

Step forward Shota Arveladze. Showtime, as he was known in more prolific times, has the ability to appear as if he has only been introduced to football. Squad pruning, injuries, and Alex McLeish's own curiosity of this complex character, have combined to push him up the pecking order and the Georgian, on the back of his (pounds) 10m goal against FC Copenhagen, again demonstrated the uncanny knack of conjuring a goal from nowhere.

Where on Wednesday he chose a flick with the outside of the right boot to put Rangers into the Champions League, yesterday he elected for a chest and swivel from close range to rescue Rangers.

His words can at times be as unfathomable as his play, but on field and off there is a gem to be found. ''They do not have any points, so why should they have taken something against Rangers?'' he said. If only it were so simple.

Mikel Arteta inflicted more damage on United from the penalty spot after Chris Innes completed a forgettable debut with a foul on Michael Mols after he had been nutmegged by the Dutchman. Innes' behaviour seems crass given that he had been sent off on the opening game of the season, while playing for Kilmarnock, for fouling the same player.

Arteta, his model girlfriend watching from the stand, strutted up and down the pitch as though it were a catwalk. McLeish has said that neither he nor the latest acquisition, Emerson, would be a direct replacement for the multi-faceted Ferguson. If the two can find a rapport, and Zurab Khizanishvili can provide the midfield muscle, then Ferguson's loss will be sustained.

''They are different types, Barry is more robust, but Mikel played the position well and was exceptional in the first half.''

Already the Champions League weighs heavily on McLeish's mind. Both Henning Berg and Michael Ball had complained of hamstring tightness after their exertions in midweek, and with the new captain Craig Moore laid-up with the same problem, the manager was unprepared to risk the fitness of vital components of a defence still in the gelling process.

Add that to the uncertainty surrounding a midfield bereft of Ferguson's bite, and bombastic Ian McCall's bristling mood after United's woeful start to the Premierleague, and suddenly this did not seem the formality the form guide suggested. McCall could have changed his entire team after last weekend's 3-0 defeat against Hearts but opted for only half, including another demotion for unfancied Scotland back-up, Paul Gallacher.

''We gave them a going over in the second half,'' he said positively afterwards. The wisdom of undertaking a complete overhaul when seeking instant results is debatable but it was ironic that the man signed to shore up a defence which had yielded 10 goals prior to yesterday's visit of the champions should be responsible for the early arrears.

A horrendous error of judgment at least ensured some commonality with his new team-mates. Ronald de Boer attempted an eye-through-the needle pass which Innes appeared alert to, but a moment's hesitation turned his legs to jelly and as he wobbled to the ground Mols scampered to the byeline and cut the ball back to Nuno Capucho, who will not score an easier goal.

With Bob Malcolm and Khizanishvili enjoying a trouble-free afternoon against Jim McIntyre and Arteta revelling in his new-found responsibility, Rangers ought to have enhanced their lead. Mols, the focal point of a forward line that numbered four when attacking, could have converted a couple of chances had he displayed the composure which has helped him to four goals already this season.

United were as surprised as Rangers that they had managed to keep the score down and emerged after the break with renewed hope. Charlie Miller, in equal measure Scottish football's biggest talent and biggest underachiever, sparked an unlikely fightback. He reacted to a Samuel knockdown with a volley which would have dipped under Klos' crossbar had the captain-for-the-day not reacted with customary vigilance. A hapless mistake from Arveladze presented Miller with another chance outside the penalty area but, despite a clean left-footed strike, he was again denied by Klos.

Sensing his side's discomfort, McLeish introduced Emerson in the hope that his assuredness could rub off on an increasingly anxious Rangers. United were undeterred and no sooner had Dodds arrived on the scene than Klos was picking a classic header out of the net, Jason Scotland providing the tempting cross.

Arveladze, even with that laboured gait, summoned the energy for one last penalty box foray and was rewarded when Fernando Ricksen's pass was played into his path by Steven Thompson. Arteta then eased the nerves and took the first steps towards becoming the new object of the fans' affection in the role he so craved.

Dundee Utd Bullock; Duff, Griffin, Archibald, Innef, Kerr (J Paterson 87), McInnes, Robson (Dodds 82), Samuel (Scotland 71), Miller, McIntyre. Subs: Gallacher, McCracken Booked McInnes, Miller

Rangers Klos; Ricksen, Malcolm, Khizanishvili, Vanoli, de Boer (Thompson 51), Capucho (Emerson 63), Arteta, Nerlinger, Mols, Arveladze. Subs: McGregor, Ross, Hughes Booked Nerlinger

Referee J Underhill