First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
United Manager Ian McCall made sweeping changes to the midweek eleven who disposed of Hibernian in the midweek CIS Cup fixture.
James Grady was drafted in to partner Jim McIntyre in attack, whist Karim Kerkar, Stuart Duff, Mark Kerr and David McCracken also started. Left out of the line-up were Chris Innes and Mark Wilson through suspension, with Jason Scotland and Grant Brebner dropped to the substitute's bench. Trinidadian forward Collin Samuel was left out of the squad altogether after being involved in some physically tough matches in recent weeks. Amongst the Livingston line-up were former Tangerines Craig Easton and Derek Lilley, with another ex-United man Jim Hamilton finding a place on the bench.
In all truth much of the first half play was best forgotten, with neither side seemingly able to strike any kind of rhythm. Although most of the play was in the Livingston half, United were unable to break down the stern resistance in front of them. A moment of magic seemed the only possibility of a breakthrough and midweek hero McIntyre almost obliged again on 36 minutes. The ball bounced kindly in front of the striker which allowed him to send in a sweet dipping left foot volley which crashed down on top of the crossbar. Despite their ascendancy, the home side were almost shocked on the stroke of half time, however Derek Lilley's headed flick on from a corner thankfully found the outside of the near post.
The second half started in much the same fashion but Livingston almost took a shock lead in 54 minutes. Another corner created an opportunity for Lilley to head towards goal and this time Paul Jarvie superbly clawed away his effort. This sparked United into life as they then proceeded to have their best spell of match. A double chance came in 56 minutes however McCracken and McIntyre both failed to hit the net from 8 yards. 4 minutes later substitute Scotland found space inside the area after a mistake in the Livingston defence, however his drive found the side netting when a more composed finish was required. When it appeared as though time would prevent the Tangerines securing the points, centre back McCracken arrived in the box to head home a Robson corner with only 12 minutes remaining. The Almondvale side did have their chances late on, most notably through Scott McLaughlin and Jim Hamilton however United were not to be prevented from securing a deserved second win of the season, and in turn lifting themselves off bottom spot in the SPL at the expense of their opponents.
United: Jarvie, McCracken, McInnes, Archibald, Kerr (Brebner, 54), McIntyre, Robson, Duff, Grady (Scotland, 54), Kerkar (Dodds, 71), Ritchie. Subs not used: Hirschfeld, Callaghan, Gardiner, Cameron.
Livingston: McKenzie, McNamee, Kernaghan, Dorado, McMenamin (Hamilton 79), O' Brien, Easton (McPake 83), McLaughlin, Brittain, Lilley (Libbra, 83), Lovell. Subs not used: Meldrum, Rubio, Snowdon, Snodgrass.
James Grady was drafted in to partner Jim McIntyre in attack, whist Karim Kerkar, Stuart Duff, Mark Kerr and David McCracken also started. Left out of the line-up were Chris Innes and Mark Wilson through suspension, with Jason Scotland and Grant Brebner dropped to the substitute's bench. Trinidadian forward Collin Samuel was left out of the squad altogether after being involved in some physically tough matches in recent weeks. Amongst the Livingston line-up were former Tangerines Craig Easton and Derek Lilley, with another ex-United man Jim Hamilton finding a place on the bench.
In all truth much of the first half play was best forgotten, with neither side seemingly able to strike any kind of rhythm. Although most of the play was in the Livingston half, United were unable to break down the stern resistance in front of them. A moment of magic seemed the only possibility of a breakthrough and midweek hero McIntyre almost obliged again on 36 minutes. The ball bounced kindly in front of the striker which allowed him to send in a sweet dipping left foot volley which crashed down on top of the crossbar. Despite their ascendancy, the home side were almost shocked on the stroke of half time, however Derek Lilley's headed flick on from a corner thankfully found the outside of the near post.
The second half started in much the same fashion but Livingston almost took a shock lead in 54 minutes. Another corner created an opportunity for Lilley to head towards goal and this time Paul Jarvie superbly clawed away his effort. This sparked United into life as they then proceeded to have their best spell of match. A double chance came in 56 minutes however McCracken and McIntyre both failed to hit the net from 8 yards. 4 minutes later substitute Scotland found space inside the area after a mistake in the Livingston defence, however his drive found the side netting when a more composed finish was required. When it appeared as though time would prevent the Tangerines securing the points, centre back McCracken arrived in the box to head home a Robson corner with only 12 minutes remaining. The Almondvale side did have their chances late on, most notably through Scott McLaughlin and Jim Hamilton however United were not to be prevented from securing a deserved second win of the season, and in turn lifting themselves off bottom spot in the SPL at the expense of their opponents.
United: Jarvie, McCracken, McInnes, Archibald, Kerr (Brebner, 54), McIntyre, Robson, Duff, Grady (Scotland, 54), Kerkar (Dodds, 71), Ritchie. Subs not used: Hirschfeld, Callaghan, Gardiner, Cameron.
Livingston: McKenzie, McNamee, Kernaghan, Dorado, McMenamin (Hamilton 79), O' Brien, Easton (McPake 83), McLaughlin, Brittain, Lilley (Libbra, 83), Lovell. Subs not used: Meldrum, Rubio, Snowdon, Snodgrass.
