First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
Dundee United today tasted derby victory for the first time in just over three years whilst at the same time easing fears over relegation. There was a party atmosphere amongst the Arabs in attendance, who were simply superb throughout the game.
There were no surprises in the United line-up, with boss Gordon Chisholm continuing to keep faith with the same group of players responsible for the recent upturn in form. Dundee fielded Fabian Cabballero in their starting line-up despite him recently only making the bench, whilst youngster Callum McDonald was drafted into central defence as a result of a few selection problems for Dens boss Jim Duffy.
It was a nervy opening period for all, and no real chance of note occurred until Mark Wilson crashed a free kick onto the top of the bar in seventeen minutes. Cabballero then limped off injured for Dundee, being replaced by John Sutton. United finished the first half strongly, with Jim McIntyre and Mark Wilson both having chances, but the Dundee defence was up to the task and the break arrived with the sides at stalemate.
Shooting towards their mass of fans in the Bob Shankly stand, United looked in determined mood right from the start of the second period. Stevie Crawford looped the ball over after working his chance well, before Barry Robson was felled at the edge of the Dundee box. Although on an angle, Wilson opted for goal and stunned the Dundee defence by curling the ball low into the far corner. It was a deserved lead at this stage and Crawford had two chances to put the game out of sight, but came frustratingly close on both occasions. The Terrors were made to pay on sixty-five minutes when Steve Lovell won a penalty after contact was made in the box by young Garry Kenneth. Dundee's top scorer calmly slotted low into the right corner to level the scores. There was euphoria in the United end again four minutes later as the lead was deservedly restored. After great persistence on the right by 'super sub' Jason Scotland, the ball found McIntyre unmarked at the back post, and the Tangerines' top scorer swivelled well to net what turned out to be the glory winner.
With injury time approaching, Dundee forward Tam McManus was shown the red card for a reckless swipe at the feet of Robson, who was trying to run down the clock at the corner flag. Although there were some nervy moments for United late, they held on for the three points which moved them above their rivals in the race to avoid relegation. Overall the victory was fully deserved, not least given what had been experienced in derby fixtures in the recent past. Although both sides battled hard throughout, it was United who had the superior quality on the day which turned out to be the deciding factor.
Man of the Match - Mark Kerr
Absolutely superb from start to finish, broke up play countless times and made great use of the ball when required. Not everything came off for the youngster; however he stuck to the task well and refused to go into hiding.
Dundee: Soutar, McDonald, Mann, Smith, Kitamirike, McManus, Brady, Anderson, Robb, Lovell, Caballero.
Subs: Dubourdeau, Larsen, Fotheringham, Sutton, Barrett, McNally, Robertson.
Dundee Utd: Bullock, Kenneth, Ritchie, Archibald, Wilson, Kerr, Brebner, Duff, Robson, Crawford, McIntyre.
Subs: Colgan, McInnes, Samuel, Dodds, Grady, Scotland, Gardiner.
Referee: D McDonald
Attendance: 11,800
Read the full match report by Ally Stewart.
There were no surprises in the United line-up, with boss Gordon Chisholm continuing to keep faith with the same group of players responsible for the recent upturn in form. Dundee fielded Fabian Cabballero in their starting line-up despite him recently only making the bench, whilst youngster Callum McDonald was drafted into central defence as a result of a few selection problems for Dens boss Jim Duffy.
It was a nervy opening period for all, and no real chance of note occurred until Mark Wilson crashed a free kick onto the top of the bar in seventeen minutes. Cabballero then limped off injured for Dundee, being replaced by John Sutton. United finished the first half strongly, with Jim McIntyre and Mark Wilson both having chances, but the Dundee defence was up to the task and the break arrived with the sides at stalemate.
Shooting towards their mass of fans in the Bob Shankly stand, United looked in determined mood right from the start of the second period. Stevie Crawford looped the ball over after working his chance well, before Barry Robson was felled at the edge of the Dundee box. Although on an angle, Wilson opted for goal and stunned the Dundee defence by curling the ball low into the far corner. It was a deserved lead at this stage and Crawford had two chances to put the game out of sight, but came frustratingly close on both occasions. The Terrors were made to pay on sixty-five minutes when Steve Lovell won a penalty after contact was made in the box by young Garry Kenneth. Dundee's top scorer calmly slotted low into the right corner to level the scores. There was euphoria in the United end again four minutes later as the lead was deservedly restored. After great persistence on the right by 'super sub' Jason Scotland, the ball found McIntyre unmarked at the back post, and the Tangerines' top scorer swivelled well to net what turned out to be the glory winner.
With injury time approaching, Dundee forward Tam McManus was shown the red card for a reckless swipe at the feet of Robson, who was trying to run down the clock at the corner flag. Although there were some nervy moments for United late, they held on for the three points which moved them above their rivals in the race to avoid relegation. Overall the victory was fully deserved, not least given what had been experienced in derby fixtures in the recent past. Although both sides battled hard throughout, it was United who had the superior quality on the day which turned out to be the deciding factor.
Man of the Match - Mark Kerr
Absolutely superb from start to finish, broke up play countless times and made great use of the ball when required. Not everything came off for the youngster; however he stuck to the task well and refused to go into hiding.
Dundee: Soutar, McDonald, Mann, Smith, Kitamirike, McManus, Brady, Anderson, Robb, Lovell, Caballero.
Subs: Dubourdeau, Larsen, Fotheringham, Sutton, Barrett, McNally, Robertson.
Dundee Utd: Bullock, Kenneth, Ritchie, Archibald, Wilson, Kerr, Brebner, Duff, Robson, Crawford, McIntyre.
Subs: Colgan, McInnes, Samuel, Dodds, Grady, Scotland, Gardiner.
Referee: D McDonald
Attendance: 11,800
Read the full match report by Ally Stewart.
