There is no other description for it — this was exhilarating at Tannadice. Three times Dundee United led Rangers, and three times Walter Smith’s men clawed an equaliser, in a gripping affair on Tayside. United will feel aggrieved that they could not hold out for three points, but for Rangers, the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title is looming into view, despite the loss of two points.

Smith’s side are now seven points ahead of Celtic, with the potential for that to be a ten-point lead if they win their game in hand.

The Rangers fans chanted happily after the final whistle, because they know that it will be a long way back for their Old Firm rivals. Smith was cautious afterwards when invited to make sweeping statements about the title, but he knows that it is all looking good for his team.

This amazing game was a credit to both sides, with Craig Levein’s Dundee United showing just why they are pushing for a Uefa Cup spot. Goals from Christian Kalvenes, Noel Hunt, as well as a Carlos Cuellar wallop into his own net, provided United with successive leads, but David Weir, Nacho Novo and Kris Boyd replied for Rangers. United finished the stronger, going in search of a fourth goal, but Rangers held out at the finish.

Smith, the subject of some barracking from Rangers fans for his cautious approach recently, reverted Rangers to a 4-4-2 system, with Boyd and Novo leading the attack, but may now think better of doing so again.

It is a rarity for Rangers to lose three goals in a league game and the irony of it will not be lost on Smith. It also seemed ironic that Cuellar, arguably Rangers’ best player this season, should be the architect of such a farcical own goal that restored United’s lead after 63 minutes.

Smith predicts that the title race will take a few more twists and turns yet before the prizes are handed out.

Celtic’s defeat by Motherwell 24 hours earlier had been seen as the fatal blow to their hopes of a third successive title, but Smith insists that he is taking nothing for granted just yet.

“Everyone was quick to say that last week’s [Old Firm] game was a league decider and I was quick to point out that we do have to play other teams,” he said. “In Scotland, I don’t think we give enough credit to the amount of effort that teams put into their games.

“Rangers and Celtic never win games easily and there was always going to be points dropped against other sides, never mind against each other. That has happened and it was always going to be a really awkward game for us today.”

And, with Motherwell, Hibernian and Dundee United all still vying for third place and a Uefa Cup spot, Smith believes that there could be more difficult weekends ahead for both halves of the Old Firm.

“For the last few seasons the third-place team has been in position for a period, as have Celtic in terms of being champions. This season, you have two teams fighting for the championship and three teams fighting for a European place. The last period of the season will always be a difficult one.”