First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
Hearts went into this game knowing three points were essential to keep alive hopes of UEFA cup qualification. United supposedly had nothing to play for - but you certainly wouldn't have thought so after a blistering second half display
For his first home game as Hearts manager, Anatoly Korobochka made five changes with Tall, Goncalves, Aguiar, Mikoliunas and Pospisil all starting. For United, manager Levein restricted himself to one switch, David Robertson replacing Morgaro Gomis in the middle of a five-man midfield.
In blustery first half conditions few chances were created, the one close shave being Noel Hunt's shot against the post on twenty-six minutes. The key moment of the match followed seven minutes later. Tall and Robertson were involved in an off-the ball incident and both were red carded. The visitors adjusted far better than Hearts, carrying on in 4-4-1 formation. But with Hearts playing three at the back, the visitors were gifted acres of space on the flanks which was to be ruthlessly exploited in an amazing second forty-five.
Just seven minutes after the interval, a lightning break from United allowed Robb to set up Robson, who finished with a beautiful low drive from the edge of the box. On fifty-nine minutes Robson doubled the lead, latching onto a Daly pass, skipping past two defenders and nutmegging the keeper.
United hadn't scored more than once in a league game since December, but the goalfest had only just begun. With twenty minutes remaining, Robb slipped past Karipidis on the left, and his low cut back was blasted home at the far post by Noel Hunt. With Arabs already in a state of delirium, Robson completed his hat-trick on seventy-eight minutes, coolly cutting inside Aguiar and sending a low right-foot shot into the corner of the net.
Close to full time substitute Jankauskas should have scored a consolation for Hearts but headed over after good work from Driver. But a shut-out was definitely deserved after another fine display from United's back-four. And this time the cutting edge that had recently been lacking was back with a vengeance - and United were well worth their win.
Teams:
Hearts: Gordon(c), Zaliukas, Aguiar, Velicka, Berra, Mikoliunas, Pilibaitis, Pospisil, Tall, Driver, Goncalves.
United: Stillie, Kalvenes, McCracken, Wilkie, Kerr, Daly, Hunt, Robson (c), Robb, Dillon, Robertson.
Referee: Craig MacKay
Attendance: 17,170
Man of the Match: On any other day, Lee Wilkie and Steven Robb could count themselves very unlucky to miss out, but for his tremendous display of attacking midfield play, the award goes to hat-trick hero Robson.
Click here for the full report by Stuart McDonald.
For his first home game as Hearts manager, Anatoly Korobochka made five changes with Tall, Goncalves, Aguiar, Mikoliunas and Pospisil all starting. For United, manager Levein restricted himself to one switch, David Robertson replacing Morgaro Gomis in the middle of a five-man midfield.
In blustery first half conditions few chances were created, the one close shave being Noel Hunt's shot against the post on twenty-six minutes. The key moment of the match followed seven minutes later. Tall and Robertson were involved in an off-the ball incident and both were red carded. The visitors adjusted far better than Hearts, carrying on in 4-4-1 formation. But with Hearts playing three at the back, the visitors were gifted acres of space on the flanks which was to be ruthlessly exploited in an amazing second forty-five.
Just seven minutes after the interval, a lightning break from United allowed Robb to set up Robson, who finished with a beautiful low drive from the edge of the box. On fifty-nine minutes Robson doubled the lead, latching onto a Daly pass, skipping past two defenders and nutmegging the keeper.
United hadn't scored more than once in a league game since December, but the goalfest had only just begun. With twenty minutes remaining, Robb slipped past Karipidis on the left, and his low cut back was blasted home at the far post by Noel Hunt. With Arabs already in a state of delirium, Robson completed his hat-trick on seventy-eight minutes, coolly cutting inside Aguiar and sending a low right-foot shot into the corner of the net.
Close to full time substitute Jankauskas should have scored a consolation for Hearts but headed over after good work from Driver. But a shut-out was definitely deserved after another fine display from United's back-four. And this time the cutting edge that had recently been lacking was back with a vengeance - and United were well worth their win.
Teams:
Hearts: Gordon(c), Zaliukas, Aguiar, Velicka, Berra, Mikoliunas, Pilibaitis, Pospisil, Tall, Driver, Goncalves.
United: Stillie, Kalvenes, McCracken, Wilkie, Kerr, Daly, Hunt, Robson (c), Robb, Dillon, Robertson.
Referee: Craig MacKay
Attendance: 17,170
Man of the Match: On any other day, Lee Wilkie and Steven Robb could count themselves very unlucky to miss out, but for his tremendous display of attacking midfield play, the award goes to hat-trick hero Robson.
Click here for the full report by Stuart McDonald.
