First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
The Reserves chalked up a second successive win, overcoming the conditions and Rangers this afternoon with a resilient performance in an action-packed game.
Whilst United added to ride their luck in their early stages, which included Rangers missing a penalty, it was far from being a case of the visitors ruling the roost. And the Tangerines made the opposition pay for their misses with Grant Brebner and David Robertson scoring before the break. A goal early in the second half by new signing (subject to SFA permission) Ross McKenzie effectively put the game beyond Rangers. The visitors did, however, did snatch a late consolation counter.
Tony Docherty's team-lined up in the usual 4-4-2 formation: Samson - Abbot, Archibald, Ritchie, Gardiner - Brebner, Robertson, Cameron, Duff - Goodwillie, McKenzie.
Rangers squandered the first of four great first half chances when comeback defender Paul Ritchie harshly had a penalty given against him after only six minutes. However, Craig Samson brilliantly saved Bob Malcolm's spot kick at his right-hand post.
On ten minutes, Jordan McMillan clipped the top of the bar and four minutes later Samson tipped a netbound back-header from teammate Paul Ritchie on to the bar.
Then Derek Carcary crashed one against the post after 21 minutes, but injured himself in the process and had to be substituted by Steve Lennon.
United made the visitors pay for those missed opportunities on 24 minutes when David Goodwillie beat two defenders on the right crossing and Grant Brebner cleverly flicked home at the near post.
Four minutes later David Robertson extended the lead hooking home Stuart Duff's cross from 14 yards with a great volley.
Right on the stroke of half-time, Nacho Novo's wayward finishing prevented Rangers getting a foothold back in the game, failing to direct his shot on target after a corner was flicked on to him.
A goal then might have made all the difference, especially as Rangers conceded a third eight minutes into the second half.
New boy Ross McKenzie beautifully controlled a long ball up the left on his chest before cleverly angling a lob over the advancing keeper and into the far corner from 15 yards.
Whilst Rangers did most of the attacking for the remainder of the game, United held firm.
Euan McLean, who went on to replace Craig Samson in goal, brilliantly tipped over a Novo volley with fifteen minutes left, but that was the only time they really threatened.
Rangers were then reduced to ten men after an assistant referee brought the match official's attention to an incident involving Alex Rae that had also involved United's David Robertson who been booked for his part in the clash.
Consolation for the visitors came in the very last minute when Dany N'Guessan pushed the ball past McLean to squeeze it home from a very acute angle.
Team: Samson (McLean 55), Abbot, Gardiner, Cameron, Archibald, Ritchie, Robertson, Brebner, Goodwillie, Duff, McKenzie. Subs not used: O'Byrne, Easton, Gray, Feeney.
Rangers: Robinson, McMillan, Bernard (Ashikodi 46), Malcolm, McKenzie, Fanfan, N'Guessan, A Rae, Carcary (Lennon 21), Novo, G Rae. Subs not used: Gallacher, Gilmour, Ure.
Referee: G Salmond
Whilst United added to ride their luck in their early stages, which included Rangers missing a penalty, it was far from being a case of the visitors ruling the roost. And the Tangerines made the opposition pay for their misses with Grant Brebner and David Robertson scoring before the break. A goal early in the second half by new signing (subject to SFA permission) Ross McKenzie effectively put the game beyond Rangers. The visitors did, however, did snatch a late consolation counter.
Tony Docherty's team-lined up in the usual 4-4-2 formation: Samson - Abbot, Archibald, Ritchie, Gardiner - Brebner, Robertson, Cameron, Duff - Goodwillie, McKenzie.
Rangers squandered the first of four great first half chances when comeback defender Paul Ritchie harshly had a penalty given against him after only six minutes. However, Craig Samson brilliantly saved Bob Malcolm's spot kick at his right-hand post.
On ten minutes, Jordan McMillan clipped the top of the bar and four minutes later Samson tipped a netbound back-header from teammate Paul Ritchie on to the bar.
Then Derek Carcary crashed one against the post after 21 minutes, but injured himself in the process and had to be substituted by Steve Lennon.
United made the visitors pay for those missed opportunities on 24 minutes when David Goodwillie beat two defenders on the right crossing and Grant Brebner cleverly flicked home at the near post.
Four minutes later David Robertson extended the lead hooking home Stuart Duff's cross from 14 yards with a great volley.
Right on the stroke of half-time, Nacho Novo's wayward finishing prevented Rangers getting a foothold back in the game, failing to direct his shot on target after a corner was flicked on to him.
A goal then might have made all the difference, especially as Rangers conceded a third eight minutes into the second half.
New boy Ross McKenzie beautifully controlled a long ball up the left on his chest before cleverly angling a lob over the advancing keeper and into the far corner from 15 yards.
Whilst Rangers did most of the attacking for the remainder of the game, United held firm.
Euan McLean, who went on to replace Craig Samson in goal, brilliantly tipped over a Novo volley with fifteen minutes left, but that was the only time they really threatened.
Rangers were then reduced to ten men after an assistant referee brought the match official's attention to an incident involving Alex Rae that had also involved United's David Robertson who been booked for his part in the clash.
Consolation for the visitors came in the very last minute when Dany N'Guessan pushed the ball past McLean to squeeze it home from a very acute angle.
Team: Samson (McLean 55), Abbot, Gardiner, Cameron, Archibald, Ritchie, Robertson, Brebner, Goodwillie, Duff, McKenzie. Subs not used: O'Byrne, Easton, Gray, Feeney.
Rangers: Robinson, McMillan, Bernard (Ashikodi 46), Malcolm, McKenzie, Fanfan, N'Guessan, A Rae, Carcary (Lennon 21), Novo, G Rae. Subs not used: Gallacher, Gilmour, Ure.
Referee: G Salmond
