First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
The Under-21 side travelled to Kilmarnock to complete the trio of matches against the Rugby Park club, with high hopes of a result after both the Senior side and the Under-19 team recorded draws on Saturday. The team lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Paul Gallacher in goal behind a back four of Andy Hunter, David McCracken, Steven Anderson and Gary Bollan. In midfield, the Tangerines had Graeme Holmes, Craig Easton, Mark Wilson and Kenny Jarvis with a front pairing of Billy Dodds and player/coach Owen Coyle.
It turned out to be a frustrating evening for the Tannadice side who opened well, playing some good football and looking the better side. But as the half progressed, Killie began to take charge and their superiority led to a 1-0 half time lead. The goal came with Kilmarnock profiting from United losing possession.
United came out in the second half playing better and were unlucky not to pull a goal back from a couple of chances they created but the home side punished the visitors with two further goals for a final score of 3-0.
After the match, Owen Coyle agreed that Kilmarnock were the better side and there was no doubt that they deserved the win. Yet he was also unhappy at the way the goals were conceded, particularly the opener. He said, "In the first half we were playing well and looking comfortable but after fifteen minutes or so we allowed Kilmarnock to dominate the game and force us to sit very deep and the result was we lost a poor goal from our point of view. We gave away possession during one of our attacks and that allowed them to get upfield and score. In the Under-21s we are going to lose matches because, as I've said before it's a learning experience but we will have to work hard to eliminate the errors which are costing us goals."
It turned out to be a frustrating evening for the Tannadice side who opened well, playing some good football and looking the better side. But as the half progressed, Killie began to take charge and their superiority led to a 1-0 half time lead. The goal came with Kilmarnock profiting from United losing possession.
United came out in the second half playing better and were unlucky not to pull a goal back from a couple of chances they created but the home side punished the visitors with two further goals for a final score of 3-0.
After the match, Owen Coyle agreed that Kilmarnock were the better side and there was no doubt that they deserved the win. Yet he was also unhappy at the way the goals were conceded, particularly the opener. He said, "In the first half we were playing well and looking comfortable but after fifteen minutes or so we allowed Kilmarnock to dominate the game and force us to sit very deep and the result was we lost a poor goal from our point of view. We gave away possession during one of our attacks and that allowed them to get upfield and score. In the Under-21s we are going to lose matches because, as I've said before it's a learning experience but we will have to work hard to eliminate the errors which are costing us goals."
