First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
United showed great character to come back and take a point courtesy of a Francisco Sandaza goal in 78 minutes. This was after going behind in the 51st minute to a Paul Hartley goal and minutes later being on the wrong end of a quite remarkable decision not to award a penalty following a blatant foul on Roy O'Donovan.
After a scrappy opening ten minutes United were first to threaten on goal when, after some good play wide on the right from Willo Flood, Kovacevic swung in a cross which David Robertson met with a looping header forcing Celtic keeper Artur Boruc to tip over for a corner. The hosts threatened again ten minutes later when a Kenneth throw into the box was chested down by O'Donovan for Danny Grainger who drilled a right foot volley marginally over from around ten yards out. Neither side was able to strike much rhythm in a keenly contested and tight affair however Celtic did manage to register their first effort on goal after 33 minutes, but a Venegoor of Hesselink header from seven yards out was never going to trouble Zaluska as it sailed high over. As half time approached McGeady threatened for Celtic with a powerfully struck shot from long range from which Zaluska seemed slightly caught out by the flight of the ball, but he was thankfully able to turn the ball away safely.
Disaster struck for United six minutes into the half as Celtic took the lead. Mark Wilson charged down the left and sent in a cross which evaded everyone in the middle falling to Nakamura in space at the far side of the box. He picked out Paul Hartley who guided a low right foot shot past Zaluska into the bottom corner with the aid of a deflection off a United defender. Four minutes later a quite remarkable decision by referee Charlie Richmond not to award a penalty for United cost them the chance of an equaliser. He had a perfect view of the incident as Gary Caldwell slipped allowing O'Donovan possession before felling the on-loan striker in the six yard box. With the whole ground expecting a penalty award Richmond astonishingly waved play on much to the anger of the United players and supporters. As the Tangerines tried to re-compose themselves Nakamura tested Zaluska on 60 minutes with a well struck volley which the Pole did well to gather at the second attempt. Moments later Warren Feeney had a chance as Grainger took a quick free kick - the ball deflected back into the path of the Irishman who poked a right foot shot straight at Boruc. As a fired up United side pressed forward in search of an equaliser Celtic broke away in the 65th minute and Zaluska pulled off a great stop when Venegoor of Hesselink was fed the ball in acres of space by McDonald, only for the United keeper to smother the ball away to safety with a goal seemingly certain. McDonald had another chance for the visitors when he latched onto a Venegoor of Hesselink knockdown but the diminutive forward smashed the ball over from seven yards. A Kenneth long ball then caused trouble in the Celtic defence allowing O'Donovan to ghost in behind them but unfortunately he was unable to adjust his body quickly enough to capitalise and allowed the ball to run too wide before shooting weakly at Boruc. United's hard work paid off after 78 minutes as substitute Francisco Sandaza deservedly equalised for the hosts. Moments after coming off the bench Conway turned his defender on the left flank before firing in a deadly low cross which Sandaza superbly flicked home at the near post into the top corner of the net. Gomis then came close to putting United ahead in the 85th minute as he broke out of midfield and fired a powerful left foot shot only inches over the bar with Boruc scrambling. There was a big let off for the terrors with 3 minutes remaining when McDonald missed a sitter at the back post following a Caldwell header across goal. In injury time Sandaza forced Boruc into another good save at the near post after a great turn and shot following a Wilkie headed flick on. Wilkie then rose highest from the corner but headed over as the last chance of a winner came and went.
Full Time Summary: A point was the minimum United deserved following an excellent performance. They showed enormous strength of character not only to come back from a goal behind but also to respond to that incredible decision not to award a penalty. The team should take heart from their performance as they go on to search for their first win of the campaign at Fir Park next week.
Man of the Match: Every player contributed towards gaining a hard earned point but Garry Kenneth takes the award for an outstanding display at centre back. With Celtic's main threat coming from cross balls and set pieces his aerial presence was critical but he also looked the part on the deck throughout.
United: Zaluska, Grainger, Wilkie (C), Flood (Conway 77), Feeney (Sandaza 64), S Robertson, O'Donovan, D Robertson (Buaben 64), Gomis, Kenneth, Kovacevic. Subs not used - McGovern, Dillon, Daly, McCord.
Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, McManus (C), Caldwell, McDonald (Samaras 88), S Brown, Venegoor of Hesselink, Hartley, Wilson, Nakamura (Robson 67), McGeady. Subs not used - M Brown, Crosas, Donati, O'Dea, Caddis.
Attendance - 11648
Referee - Charlie Richmond
Click here for the full report by Ally Stewart.
After a scrappy opening ten minutes United were first to threaten on goal when, after some good play wide on the right from Willo Flood, Kovacevic swung in a cross which David Robertson met with a looping header forcing Celtic keeper Artur Boruc to tip over for a corner. The hosts threatened again ten minutes later when a Kenneth throw into the box was chested down by O'Donovan for Danny Grainger who drilled a right foot volley marginally over from around ten yards out. Neither side was able to strike much rhythm in a keenly contested and tight affair however Celtic did manage to register their first effort on goal after 33 minutes, but a Venegoor of Hesselink header from seven yards out was never going to trouble Zaluska as it sailed high over. As half time approached McGeady threatened for Celtic with a powerfully struck shot from long range from which Zaluska seemed slightly caught out by the flight of the ball, but he was thankfully able to turn the ball away safely.
Disaster struck for United six minutes into the half as Celtic took the lead. Mark Wilson charged down the left and sent in a cross which evaded everyone in the middle falling to Nakamura in space at the far side of the box. He picked out Paul Hartley who guided a low right foot shot past Zaluska into the bottom corner with the aid of a deflection off a United defender. Four minutes later a quite remarkable decision by referee Charlie Richmond not to award a penalty for United cost them the chance of an equaliser. He had a perfect view of the incident as Gary Caldwell slipped allowing O'Donovan possession before felling the on-loan striker in the six yard box. With the whole ground expecting a penalty award Richmond astonishingly waved play on much to the anger of the United players and supporters. As the Tangerines tried to re-compose themselves Nakamura tested Zaluska on 60 minutes with a well struck volley which the Pole did well to gather at the second attempt. Moments later Warren Feeney had a chance as Grainger took a quick free kick - the ball deflected back into the path of the Irishman who poked a right foot shot straight at Boruc. As a fired up United side pressed forward in search of an equaliser Celtic broke away in the 65th minute and Zaluska pulled off a great stop when Venegoor of Hesselink was fed the ball in acres of space by McDonald, only for the United keeper to smother the ball away to safety with a goal seemingly certain. McDonald had another chance for the visitors when he latched onto a Venegoor of Hesselink knockdown but the diminutive forward smashed the ball over from seven yards. A Kenneth long ball then caused trouble in the Celtic defence allowing O'Donovan to ghost in behind them but unfortunately he was unable to adjust his body quickly enough to capitalise and allowed the ball to run too wide before shooting weakly at Boruc. United's hard work paid off after 78 minutes as substitute Francisco Sandaza deservedly equalised for the hosts. Moments after coming off the bench Conway turned his defender on the left flank before firing in a deadly low cross which Sandaza superbly flicked home at the near post into the top corner of the net. Gomis then came close to putting United ahead in the 85th minute as he broke out of midfield and fired a powerful left foot shot only inches over the bar with Boruc scrambling. There was a big let off for the terrors with 3 minutes remaining when McDonald missed a sitter at the back post following a Caldwell header across goal. In injury time Sandaza forced Boruc into another good save at the near post after a great turn and shot following a Wilkie headed flick on. Wilkie then rose highest from the corner but headed over as the last chance of a winner came and went.
Full Time Summary: A point was the minimum United deserved following an excellent performance. They showed enormous strength of character not only to come back from a goal behind but also to respond to that incredible decision not to award a penalty. The team should take heart from their performance as they go on to search for their first win of the campaign at Fir Park next week.
Man of the Match: Every player contributed towards gaining a hard earned point but Garry Kenneth takes the award for an outstanding display at centre back. With Celtic's main threat coming from cross balls and set pieces his aerial presence was critical but he also looked the part on the deck throughout.
United: Zaluska, Grainger, Wilkie (C), Flood (Conway 77), Feeney (Sandaza 64), S Robertson, O'Donovan, D Robertson (Buaben 64), Gomis, Kenneth, Kovacevic. Subs not used - McGovern, Dillon, Daly, McCord.
Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, McManus (C), Caldwell, McDonald (Samaras 88), S Brown, Venegoor of Hesselink, Hartley, Wilson, Nakamura (Robson 67), McGeady. Subs not used - M Brown, Crosas, Donati, O'Dea, Caddis.
Attendance - 11648
Referee - Charlie Richmond
Click here for the full report by Ally Stewart.
