GLASGOW (AFP) - Rangers were left seven points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League with a game in hand over second-placed arch-rivals Celtic after a 3-3 draw away to Dundee United on Sunday.

Christian Kalvenes put the home side ahead at Tannadice with a scrappy goal in the 37th minute before David Weir equalised with a powerful header a minute before half-time.

Noel Hunt restored the United's lead six minutes after the break only to see Nacho Novo level again.

Then a Carlos Cuellar own-goal in the 65th minute left United 3-2 ahead before Rangers striker Kris Boyd capitalised on Willo Flood's poor pass-back just two minutes later to make it 3-3.

Had Rangers won they would have gone nine points clear of Celtic, who lost 1-0 at home to Motherwell on Saturday but Gers manager Walter Smith was happy enough with a point.

"You are always looking at results," he told BBC Radio Scotland.

"People talk about the league championship in terms of Old Firm games deciding it but it is apparent now that it's not the case.

"The other teams in Scotland have a great deal of pride about them and they work extremely hard.

"Look at Dundee United today and I'm sure it was the same for Motherwell at Celtic Park yesterday.

"Rangers and Celtic have always got to play extremely well to overcome any of the teams that they play and today was no exception.

"We wanted a win but in all fairness, we couldn't argue with the result," the former Scotland manager added. "Dundee United played well today and we had to work extremely hard to match them."

United manager Craig Levein praised his side even though they lost the lead three times and in the process missed out on the chance to go third in the table. "Give me that any day rather than a boring 0-0 draw.

"It was an excellent football match and I enjoyed it greatly. It took a few years off my life but what a wonderful game," Levein said.

"In open play, that's as good as we have played all season.

"But it shows you the resilience of Rangers. We played so well and were ahead three times and they still came back."