DUTV
STORY OF THE MATCH | RANGERS (A)
25th November 2024
A sublime goal in the first half from Scott Robertson was enough to see off visitors Hearts after an extremely tough 90 minutes at Tannadice. As a team United battled really well to secure a vital 3 points as they look to move further up the SPL table.
The Terrors struggled to get going and it took until nearly a quarter of the game gone before they registered an attempt at goal, but when it came a long distance strike from John Rankin rolled tamely wide of Marian Kello's goal. Then in the 23rd minute, and it has to be said completely out of the blue at this stage, United took a shock lead. After the defence had broken down a Hearts attack a long clearance found its way out to Jon Daly on the right flank. With no support the United captain bided his time before sending in a pinpoint cross which picked out the run of Scott Robertson who headed emphatically into the right corner leaving Marian Kello helpless. David Templeton instigated an attack in immediate response and after the ball found Sutton in space he slotted calmly beyond Pernis, only to be correctly flagged for offside ruling out his effort. Pernis had to be alert when in 33 minutes Ryan McGowan sliced a cross which steered the ball towards the target but the goalkeeper recovered well and clawed the ball away as the Edinburgh side came as close as they had done to scoring. The game took on a more physical nature towards half time as Dixon, Hamill and then Neilson were all shown yellow cards as the game was broken up by a succession of fouls. United did threaten again when a deep Dixon cross nearly reached Daly but United were more than content to be a goal to the good going in at half time.
As had been the case at the start of the match it was the visitors who pressed early after the break and after Kenneth fouled Skacel just outside the box, earning himself a yellow card in the process, there was a decent opportunity from the set piece. Any worries the United faithful had at that point diminished quickly as Skacel fired high over but moments later he went much closer when he may well have netted from close range had Dixon not got in his way and blocked his effort allowing Pernis to gather. Templeton then drove into the box and shot low for Pernis to hold and Rankin again tried his luck from distance as neither side was able to control proceedings. Sutton should have done better for Hearts with an hour played, scuffing his shot at Pernis after the ball had fallen kindly for him 6 yards out before Daly then had a close range strike ruled out for offside following some positive play from Robertson, who had set up Mackay-Steven to shoot at Kello creating the rebound chance for United's captain. Paul Dixon looked keen to hit the net for the second time in recent weeks as, having seen an earlier shot sail over, he went closer after cutting inside onto his less favoured right foot and striking from just outside the penalty area. Hearts main threat was coming from long range, and following efforts from Templeton and McGowan which never looked likely to hit the net the visitors made a double change after 77 minutes throwing on Novikovas and Elliot in an attempt to turn the game their way. As a team the Terrors stood firm as the visitors applied some pressure late on, but this was without any clear opportunities and as a result they held on for the win.
Full Time Summary - It was a tough 90 minutes and it was a real team effort which was required to secure a vital 3 points. The goal itself was the one real moment of class throughout the game and for that reason the points were merited. Credit must go to both sides for playing the game in a good spirit where on other occasions some of the challenges that went in may have suffered a more negative reaction.
Man of the Match - As stated the goal was the difference on the day and for that reason the award goes to Scott Robertson for showing the desire to reach Daly's cross and for planting a first class header into the back of the net.
United - Pernis, Dixon, Kenneth, Flood, Robertson, Daly, Rankin, Russell (Armstrong 87), Mackay-Steven (Douglas 79), Gunning, Neilson. Subs not used - Banks, Dillon, Watson, Dalla Valle, Dow.
Hearts - Kello, Hamill (Novikovas 77), Webster, Templeton, Sutton (Elliot 77), Stevenson, McGowan, Skacel, Zaliukas, Mroweic (Taouil 60). Subs not used - MacDonald, Smith, Robinson, Obua.
Attendance - 6925
Referee - William Collum
Click here for the full report by Ally Stewart.
The Terrors struggled to get going and it took until nearly a quarter of the game gone before they registered an attempt at goal, but when it came a long distance strike from John Rankin rolled tamely wide of Marian Kello's goal. Then in the 23rd minute, and it has to be said completely out of the blue at this stage, United took a shock lead. After the defence had broken down a Hearts attack a long clearance found its way out to Jon Daly on the right flank. With no support the United captain bided his time before sending in a pinpoint cross which picked out the run of Scott Robertson who headed emphatically into the right corner leaving Marian Kello helpless. David Templeton instigated an attack in immediate response and after the ball found Sutton in space he slotted calmly beyond Pernis, only to be correctly flagged for offside ruling out his effort. Pernis had to be alert when in 33 minutes Ryan McGowan sliced a cross which steered the ball towards the target but the goalkeeper recovered well and clawed the ball away as the Edinburgh side came as close as they had done to scoring. The game took on a more physical nature towards half time as Dixon, Hamill and then Neilson were all shown yellow cards as the game was broken up by a succession of fouls. United did threaten again when a deep Dixon cross nearly reached Daly but United were more than content to be a goal to the good going in at half time.
As had been the case at the start of the match it was the visitors who pressed early after the break and after Kenneth fouled Skacel just outside the box, earning himself a yellow card in the process, there was a decent opportunity from the set piece. Any worries the United faithful had at that point diminished quickly as Skacel fired high over but moments later he went much closer when he may well have netted from close range had Dixon not got in his way and blocked his effort allowing Pernis to gather. Templeton then drove into the box and shot low for Pernis to hold and Rankin again tried his luck from distance as neither side was able to control proceedings. Sutton should have done better for Hearts with an hour played, scuffing his shot at Pernis after the ball had fallen kindly for him 6 yards out before Daly then had a close range strike ruled out for offside following some positive play from Robertson, who had set up Mackay-Steven to shoot at Kello creating the rebound chance for United's captain. Paul Dixon looked keen to hit the net for the second time in recent weeks as, having seen an earlier shot sail over, he went closer after cutting inside onto his less favoured right foot and striking from just outside the penalty area. Hearts main threat was coming from long range, and following efforts from Templeton and McGowan which never looked likely to hit the net the visitors made a double change after 77 minutes throwing on Novikovas and Elliot in an attempt to turn the game their way. As a team the Terrors stood firm as the visitors applied some pressure late on, but this was without any clear opportunities and as a result they held on for the win.
Full Time Summary - It was a tough 90 minutes and it was a real team effort which was required to secure a vital 3 points. The goal itself was the one real moment of class throughout the game and for that reason the points were merited. Credit must go to both sides for playing the game in a good spirit where on other occasions some of the challenges that went in may have suffered a more negative reaction.
Man of the Match - As stated the goal was the difference on the day and for that reason the award goes to Scott Robertson for showing the desire to reach Daly's cross and for planting a first class header into the back of the net.
United - Pernis, Dixon, Kenneth, Flood, Robertson, Daly, Rankin, Russell (Armstrong 87), Mackay-Steven (Douglas 79), Gunning, Neilson. Subs not used - Banks, Dillon, Watson, Dalla Valle, Dow.
Hearts - Kello, Hamill (Novikovas 77), Webster, Templeton, Sutton (Elliot 77), Stevenson, McGowan, Skacel, Zaliukas, Mroweic (Taouil 60). Subs not used - MacDonald, Smith, Robinson, Obua.
Attendance - 6925
Referee - William Collum
Click here for the full report by Ally Stewart.
