DUTV
STORY OF THE MATCH | RANGERS (A)
25th November 2024
United succumbed to a disappointing defeat at Ibrox today despite more than matching their hosts for much of this encounter.
However, though the visitors' passing impressed at times, in truth it only rarely looked like it would deliver a goal.
Much of that might be attributed to the absence of Conway and Swanson through injury. Barry Douglas did well starting in a wide midfield role - Paul Dixon returning at left back - but Douglas, Garry Kenneth and eventually David Goodwillie were all forced off with having taken knocks, making a tough task even harder.
Peter Houston also brought back Scott Robertson in place of name-sake David, while Rangers freshened things up after their midweek trip to Old Trafford with Jelavic in to partner Miller, and Weiss wide left.
Weiss proved a handful for United at times and both Robertson and Daly picked up yellow cards for late tackles on the Slovak. As early as the second minute the winger went close, shooting narrowly wide from twenty yards. By then United had already threatened through Barry Douglas who tested McGregor with a powerful drive from 20 yards.
But though there was plenty of good passing from both sides, clear cut chances were scarce in an evenly contested first half and only a 9th minute own goal could separate the sides at the interval. Davis got in behind Dixon on the right, and his low cut-back was diverted beyond his own keeper by Sean Dillon, under pressure from Jelavic.
United battled back with Buaben releasing Gomis into the Rangers box, but though the Frenchman rounded Whittaker his touch took him too close to McGregor and the keeper gathered. Weiss continued to cause trouble, again going just off target with a low drive across goal after a neat one-two with Miller. Gomis went close once more for the visitors but could only divert Daly's header wide of goal under pressure from Weir, then Daly himself glanced a header wide from a Douglas corner.
Shortly after, Daly sent another header wide from six yards after Edu recklessly scooped the ball high into his own penalty area.
Though behind at the interval, there was every reason to believe United could get something from this game.
But it was Rangers who stepped up a gear after the interval. Jelavic had two good chances in three minutes - a drive from sixteen yards well blocked by Pernis - then a header wide from 8 yards.
The visitors steadied the ship and their best chance arrived on 58 minutes. Gomis stole possession and released Daly on the right. His low cut-back was collected by Goodwillie but though he got a shot away under pressure it lacked power and McGregor saved comfortably.
From then on, the goal mouth action was all at the other end. Whittaker shot too close to Pernis when he should have scored, then the keeper did well to save from McCulloch and Weiss. But he was helpless to prevent the second goal which came on 70 minutes.
Jelavic was judged onside and his low cross from the right got beyond Dillon leaving Miller all the time in the world to finish. Seven minutes later and substitute Steven Naismith headed number three after United failed to clear a corner. With eight minutes remaining, Miller again side-footed home for his second and Ranger's fourth, Jelavic once more the provider.
United fans would feel frustrated that a promising first hour had failed to deliver goal; while the last half hour saw a very disappointing collapse.
Teams:
Rangers: McGregor, Weir, Papac, McCulloch, Edu (Naismith 70), Davis, Miller, Whittaker, Jelavic, Weiss (Lafferty 82), Bougerra. Subs not used: Alexander, Broadfoot, Beattie, Little, Hutton.
United: Pernis, Dillon, Dixon, Severin, Robertson, Daly, Buaben, Gomis, Douglas (Russell 55), Kenneth (Watson 45), Goodwillie (Shala 87). Subs not used: Dods, Cadamarteri, D Robertson, Banks
Attendance: 44,758
Referee: Dougie McDonald
Man of the Match: Prince Buaben played an important part in United's good start to the game, and kept working hard when things started unravelling.
However, though the visitors' passing impressed at times, in truth it only rarely looked like it would deliver a goal.
Much of that might be attributed to the absence of Conway and Swanson through injury. Barry Douglas did well starting in a wide midfield role - Paul Dixon returning at left back - but Douglas, Garry Kenneth and eventually David Goodwillie were all forced off with having taken knocks, making a tough task even harder.
Peter Houston also brought back Scott Robertson in place of name-sake David, while Rangers freshened things up after their midweek trip to Old Trafford with Jelavic in to partner Miller, and Weiss wide left.
Weiss proved a handful for United at times and both Robertson and Daly picked up yellow cards for late tackles on the Slovak. As early as the second minute the winger went close, shooting narrowly wide from twenty yards. By then United had already threatened through Barry Douglas who tested McGregor with a powerful drive from 20 yards.
But though there was plenty of good passing from both sides, clear cut chances were scarce in an evenly contested first half and only a 9th minute own goal could separate the sides at the interval. Davis got in behind Dixon on the right, and his low cut-back was diverted beyond his own keeper by Sean Dillon, under pressure from Jelavic.
United battled back with Buaben releasing Gomis into the Rangers box, but though the Frenchman rounded Whittaker his touch took him too close to McGregor and the keeper gathered. Weiss continued to cause trouble, again going just off target with a low drive across goal after a neat one-two with Miller. Gomis went close once more for the visitors but could only divert Daly's header wide of goal under pressure from Weir, then Daly himself glanced a header wide from a Douglas corner.
Shortly after, Daly sent another header wide from six yards after Edu recklessly scooped the ball high into his own penalty area.
Though behind at the interval, there was every reason to believe United could get something from this game.
But it was Rangers who stepped up a gear after the interval. Jelavic had two good chances in three minutes - a drive from sixteen yards well blocked by Pernis - then a header wide from 8 yards.
The visitors steadied the ship and their best chance arrived on 58 minutes. Gomis stole possession and released Daly on the right. His low cut-back was collected by Goodwillie but though he got a shot away under pressure it lacked power and McGregor saved comfortably.
From then on, the goal mouth action was all at the other end. Whittaker shot too close to Pernis when he should have scored, then the keeper did well to save from McCulloch and Weiss. But he was helpless to prevent the second goal which came on 70 minutes.
Jelavic was judged onside and his low cross from the right got beyond Dillon leaving Miller all the time in the world to finish. Seven minutes later and substitute Steven Naismith headed number three after United failed to clear a corner. With eight minutes remaining, Miller again side-footed home for his second and Ranger's fourth, Jelavic once more the provider.
United fans would feel frustrated that a promising first hour had failed to deliver goal; while the last half hour saw a very disappointing collapse.
Teams:
Rangers: McGregor, Weir, Papac, McCulloch, Edu (Naismith 70), Davis, Miller, Whittaker, Jelavic, Weiss (Lafferty 82), Bougerra. Subs not used: Alexander, Broadfoot, Beattie, Little, Hutton.
United: Pernis, Dillon, Dixon, Severin, Robertson, Daly, Buaben, Gomis, Douglas (Russell 55), Kenneth (Watson 45), Goodwillie (Shala 87). Subs not used: Dods, Cadamarteri, D Robertson, Banks
Attendance: 44,758
Referee: Dougie McDonald
Man of the Match: Prince Buaben played an important part in United's good start to the game, and kept working hard when things started unravelling.
