First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
After a good performance and several excellent chances United were unfortunate to go down to a 72nd minute goal by Jan Venegoor of Hesselink, with the result meaning Celtic were crowned SPL champions for the third season in succession.
With five minutes played United had the first chance when Mark De Vries flicked on a long kick forward by Zaluska into the path of top scorer Noel Hunt. Hunt had the pace to get in behind the visitors defence and hit a decent long range effort towards goal which Artur Boruc held at the second attempt.
Zaluska twice saved United at the other end, first turning over a close range McGeady shot following a quick break out of defence and then doing even better when touching over a Robson header from close range. Both teams best chance of a goal looked to be on the counter, and United saw efforts from De Vries then Swanson go wide before Hartley tried to for the spectacular with a 30 yard half volley which went a few yards wide.
With half time drawing near United were guilty of passing up the best opportunity of the match, when following a superb through ball from Flood, De Vries stepped inside the defender 10 yards out and shot just wide of the right hand post when a goal seemed certain, ensuring the teams went in at half time still goalless.
There was an early scare for United when, appearing to come from an offside position, Venegoor of Hesselink broke clear of the defence but fortunately his shot was weak and easy for Zaluska to deal with. Again Celtic looked dangerous and after his initial shot was blocked by Dods, Nakamura fell dramatically to the ground in the area. Fortunately for United the referee had a good view of the incident and showed the Japanese midfielder a yellow card for diving.
Looking to avoid a period of pressure United moved play up the other end of the pitch and Flood crossed from the right flank to the back post but De Vries could only help the ball wide. Again after a counter attack United went close when Swanson played a brilliant ball down the left for De Vries. The Dutchman drove into the area and tried to catch Boruc out at the near post, with the Polish keeper doing well to turn the ball round for a corner. It was a good spell for the hosts and Swanson forced an inspirational save from Boruc when he sliced a shot back towards goal following a Gomis cross from the left. The ball was heading for the roof of the net but for the intervention of Boruc in turning the ball over the bar.
Zaluska then spilled the ball in the 6 yard box at the feet of Hesselink but fortunately for United Garry Kenneth whacked the ball off the line. In the 72nd minute the deadlock was finally broken by Celtic when Jan Venegoor of Hesselink was given a free header in the 6 yard box which he buried beyond Zaluska following a Hartley corner. It was harsh on United however the only had themselves such was the slackness of the marking at the corner.
In desperate search of an equaliser and with 10 minutes remaining Craig Levein made a triple substitution, with David Robertson, Steven Robb and Jon Daly coming on for Swanson, Kerr and De Vries. In the final minute an impressive surge into the box by Flood, who beat 3 defenders on his way, ended with the Irish midfielder firing over the bar as United's hopes of a point faded.
Full Time Summary: In the end it wasn't quite enough for United but the players can be proud of their performance both tonight and over the season as a whole. Having made significant strides from the last campaign, there is once again real hope that when the league kicks off again in August the tangerines can again make a real impression.
Man of the Match: There were several strong performers in tangerine but Willo Flood takes the award for a typically hard fought and creative display. The hope for the fans is that this is not the last we have seen of him in a tangerine shirt.
United: Zaluska, Dillon, Dods (C), Flood, Kerr (Robb 80), Grainger, Hunt, Gomis, Kenneth, De Vries (Daly 80), Swanson (Robertson 80). Subs Not Used: Camara, Wilkie, O'Brien, Smith.
Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Naylor (Wilson 76), Caldwell, Venegoor of Hesselink (Samaras 81), Hartley, Robson, Nakamura (S Brown 62), McDonald, McManus (C), McGeady. Subs Not Used: M Brown, Donati, Sheridan, O'Dea.
Attendance: 13613
Referee: Stuart Dougal
With five minutes played United had the first chance when Mark De Vries flicked on a long kick forward by Zaluska into the path of top scorer Noel Hunt. Hunt had the pace to get in behind the visitors defence and hit a decent long range effort towards goal which Artur Boruc held at the second attempt.
Zaluska twice saved United at the other end, first turning over a close range McGeady shot following a quick break out of defence and then doing even better when touching over a Robson header from close range. Both teams best chance of a goal looked to be on the counter, and United saw efforts from De Vries then Swanson go wide before Hartley tried to for the spectacular with a 30 yard half volley which went a few yards wide.
With half time drawing near United were guilty of passing up the best opportunity of the match, when following a superb through ball from Flood, De Vries stepped inside the defender 10 yards out and shot just wide of the right hand post when a goal seemed certain, ensuring the teams went in at half time still goalless.
There was an early scare for United when, appearing to come from an offside position, Venegoor of Hesselink broke clear of the defence but fortunately his shot was weak and easy for Zaluska to deal with. Again Celtic looked dangerous and after his initial shot was blocked by Dods, Nakamura fell dramatically to the ground in the area. Fortunately for United the referee had a good view of the incident and showed the Japanese midfielder a yellow card for diving.
Looking to avoid a period of pressure United moved play up the other end of the pitch and Flood crossed from the right flank to the back post but De Vries could only help the ball wide. Again after a counter attack United went close when Swanson played a brilliant ball down the left for De Vries. The Dutchman drove into the area and tried to catch Boruc out at the near post, with the Polish keeper doing well to turn the ball round for a corner. It was a good spell for the hosts and Swanson forced an inspirational save from Boruc when he sliced a shot back towards goal following a Gomis cross from the left. The ball was heading for the roof of the net but for the intervention of Boruc in turning the ball over the bar.
Zaluska then spilled the ball in the 6 yard box at the feet of Hesselink but fortunately for United Garry Kenneth whacked the ball off the line. In the 72nd minute the deadlock was finally broken by Celtic when Jan Venegoor of Hesselink was given a free header in the 6 yard box which he buried beyond Zaluska following a Hartley corner. It was harsh on United however the only had themselves such was the slackness of the marking at the corner.
In desperate search of an equaliser and with 10 minutes remaining Craig Levein made a triple substitution, with David Robertson, Steven Robb and Jon Daly coming on for Swanson, Kerr and De Vries. In the final minute an impressive surge into the box by Flood, who beat 3 defenders on his way, ended with the Irish midfielder firing over the bar as United's hopes of a point faded.
Full Time Summary: In the end it wasn't quite enough for United but the players can be proud of their performance both tonight and over the season as a whole. Having made significant strides from the last campaign, there is once again real hope that when the league kicks off again in August the tangerines can again make a real impression.
Man of the Match: There were several strong performers in tangerine but Willo Flood takes the award for a typically hard fought and creative display. The hope for the fans is that this is not the last we have seen of him in a tangerine shirt.
United: Zaluska, Dillon, Dods (C), Flood, Kerr (Robb 80), Grainger, Hunt, Gomis, Kenneth, De Vries (Daly 80), Swanson (Robertson 80). Subs Not Used: Camara, Wilkie, O'Brien, Smith.
Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Naylor (Wilson 76), Caldwell, Venegoor of Hesselink (Samaras 81), Hartley, Robson, Nakamura (S Brown 62), McDonald, McManus (C), McGeady. Subs Not Used: M Brown, Donati, Sheridan, O'Dea.
Attendance: 13613
Referee: Stuart Dougal
