First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
Tony Docherty fielded a familiar 4-4-2 line-up with Euan McLean in goal behind a back four of Stuart Abbot, Gregg Burnett, Ross Gardiner and William Easton. The midfield four consisted of Barry Callaghan, David Robertson, Greg Cameron and Kieron McAleenan with Joe Andrew and Nicky McDonald up front.
The young Tangerines began brightly but it was the visitors who went ahead in only seven minutes. United lost possession in the Hibs half and when the ball was played forward to Smith, he ran on to score although he looked offside when the ball was played. From that point on, United were the better side and on fourteen minutes a Robertson effort was blocked. Just after that, Andrew headed over and in reply Gray of Hibs almost scored when he got between McLean and a defender but his shot went high and wide.
A good move involving Andrew, Callaghan and McDonald ended with Andrew having a shot blocked and then McAleenan suffered the same fate. On the half-hour mark, McLean was called into action but easily held a free kick and a minute later Callaghan's free kick deserved a better finish but Gardiner had his header blocked. United were well in command and Callaghan fired narrowly over before McAleenan's low header from close range went just wide. The pressure eventually paid off just before the break when Robertson collected the ball before turning to fire in a fantastic dipping volley from twenty-five yards.
After the interval United had the bulk of possession but despite this, they could not get their normal passing game going. Hibs played largely on the break in the second period and had only a deflected Pow effort and a Smith shot over the bar to offer. United had by far the upper hand but it was not until sixty two minutes that their first shot came when Callaghan fired a free kick over the top. McAleenan then had a shot blocked and Easton saw his low drive from the edge of the area parried by the keeper. With fifteen minutes left the keeper fumbled an Easton corner but there was no United player on hand to capitalise.
With time running out, Andreoni had a shot blocked and right at the end Easton headed just wide from a Callaghan cross and the game ended as it had at half time level at 1-1. United used two subs with Andreoni replacing Cameron at half time and Sean Fleming coming on for Andrew with fifteen minutes.
After the match, a disappointed Tony Docherty said "After doing so well against Celtic last week, we expected to see the players produce the same passing game. We played well in the first half and after losing a goal we pulled it level by half time. After the break however the players did not produce the flowing football we know they are capable of and had we done so we would certainly have won today. As it was we were by far the dominant side and we have to look on this as points dropped."
The young Tangerines began brightly but it was the visitors who went ahead in only seven minutes. United lost possession in the Hibs half and when the ball was played forward to Smith, he ran on to score although he looked offside when the ball was played. From that point on, United were the better side and on fourteen minutes a Robertson effort was blocked. Just after that, Andrew headed over and in reply Gray of Hibs almost scored when he got between McLean and a defender but his shot went high and wide.
A good move involving Andrew, Callaghan and McDonald ended with Andrew having a shot blocked and then McAleenan suffered the same fate. On the half-hour mark, McLean was called into action but easily held a free kick and a minute later Callaghan's free kick deserved a better finish but Gardiner had his header blocked. United were well in command and Callaghan fired narrowly over before McAleenan's low header from close range went just wide. The pressure eventually paid off just before the break when Robertson collected the ball before turning to fire in a fantastic dipping volley from twenty-five yards.
After the interval United had the bulk of possession but despite this, they could not get their normal passing game going. Hibs played largely on the break in the second period and had only a deflected Pow effort and a Smith shot over the bar to offer. United had by far the upper hand but it was not until sixty two minutes that their first shot came when Callaghan fired a free kick over the top. McAleenan then had a shot blocked and Easton saw his low drive from the edge of the area parried by the keeper. With fifteen minutes left the keeper fumbled an Easton corner but there was no United player on hand to capitalise.
With time running out, Andreoni had a shot blocked and right at the end Easton headed just wide from a Callaghan cross and the game ended as it had at half time level at 1-1. United used two subs with Andreoni replacing Cameron at half time and Sean Fleming coming on for Andrew with fifteen minutes.
After the match, a disappointed Tony Docherty said "After doing so well against Celtic last week, we expected to see the players produce the same passing game. We played well in the first half and after losing a goal we pulled it level by half time. After the break however the players did not produce the flowing football we know they are capable of and had we done so we would certainly have won today. As it was we were by far the dominant side and we have to look on this as points dropped."
