DUTV
STORY OF THE MATCH | RANGERS (A)
25th November 2024
The introduction of Johnny Russell early in the second half was the catalyst for a stunning United fight back at the Caledonian Stadium. Russell entered the action with United 2-0 down, but his inspired performance and two great goals helped United to a 3-2 victory on a cold day in Inverness.
United entered this match knowing that a victory would create a significant gap between themselves and the bottom four, however if they were to lose by three goals or more, Inverness would leap frog them into eighth place. Both teams started this match on the back of a run of mixed results but sat in adjacent league positions with United in 8th and Caley in 9th. United had lost their previous match to Celtic, while Inverness recorded a fine win at St Mirren. However, United had won their last three games at the Caledonian Stadium and were looking to continue this run of victories in the Highlands.
Peter Houston made the decision to change the side that started the last four games; dropped were Kenneth and Russell with Dillon and Armstrong coming in. Heavy snow had fallen overnight in Inverness, however the staff at the Caledonian Stadium had done a good job to ensure the pitch was cleared in time for kick off.
United started out in a 4-5-1 formation with Daly leading the line. However, with only 60 seconds on the clock, United were caught cold when Davis drove into the box from the left side and cut back for Hayes to hammer home at the back post to give Inverness a 1-0 lead.
In the 11th minute, the United defence were under threat again as an energetic Hayes burst through the midfield only to have the ball nicked from his feet before he managed to get a shot away. A minute later, a tackle just inside the Caley half left Hogg down on the turf waving for the physio. Hogg looked to be in significant discomfort and had to be stretchered off after a 4 minute stoppage. He was replaced by Cox.
Inverness looked a little unsettled after the substitution and United tried to take advantage. A good run by Mackay-Steven set up Armstrong who was able to put a deep cross into the Inverness box. Flood was waiting at the back post but looked to be tripped as he chased the ball but the referee waved play on.
Flood was involved again in the 27th minute when his looping header forced Esson to touch past the post for a corner. The set piece was cleared, but United soon forced another corner when a Mackay-Steven shot from the edge of the box was deflected wide. Again the corner came to nothing.
As the game edged closer to half time, Inverness pressed further. Tokely found himself with time and space at the edge of the United box but Rankin was quick to react, closing down the defender before he could shoot.
Pernis then had to pull off a fantastic save from a long range McKay effort. He was at full stretch to get a finger tip to the shot and force a corner.
Inverness finished the half strongly and forced a string of corners in 1st half stoppage time. However, when referee Steven McLean blew for half time, it remained 1-0 to Inverness.
The second half started just like the first. With only a minute on the clock United were stunned when McKay managed to find space inside the box and head into the bottom corner past a helpless Pernis. With Inverness 2-0 up, Houston quickly set about re-organising the team. Flood was substituted and replaced by Russell who moved up front alongside Daly. With United now playing a 4-4-2 formation, they began get back into the game.
In the 50th minute, Armstrong set out on a fantastic run and he weaved his way past three Caley defenders. A neat pass slipped in Russell who found himself with room near the penalty spot to slot a great finish past Esson and get United back in the game.
Russell's introduction had sparked life into the Tangerines and they continued to press the Inverness defence. Inverness were restricted to counter attacks but had an opportunity to stretch their lead again when Dillon was booked for a foul at the edge of the box. The resultant free kick went narrowly wide. Inverness came very close a few minutes later when Foran drove a shot just past the post from 30 yards.
However, in 63 minutes United were back on level terms. A powerful, quick run by Mackay-Steven saw Armstrong teed up just inside the left hand edge of the area and his deflected shot landed high up in the Caley net.
United now looked in total control of the game as they continued to attack the end housing their vocal band of supporters. In 77 minutes United brought more joy to the fans that had made the long journey North. Russell got the ball at the edge of the area and passed the ball into the bottom corner of the net to grab his second goal and mark an astonishing turn around in the game.
Inverness were beginning to look frustrated and in 82 minutes Davis was sent off after picking up a second yellow card for a tackle on Mackay-Steven.
United calmly saw out the remaining minutes to earn a great victory in the Highlands.
Teams:
Inverness: Esson, Tokely, Hogg (Cox 15), Hayes, Tansey, Foran, Shinnie (Ross 67), Golobart, McKay (Tade 73), Gillet, Davis.
Subs not used - Tuffey, Morrison, Sutherland, Shinnie
Dundee United: Pernis, Dillon, Dixon, Flood (Russell 49), Robertson, Daly, Rankin, Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Gunning, Neilson.
Subs not used - Banks, Kenneth, Watson, Douglas, Dalla Valle, Dow.
Attendance - 3102
Referee - Steven McLean
United entered this match knowing that a victory would create a significant gap between themselves and the bottom four, however if they were to lose by three goals or more, Inverness would leap frog them into eighth place. Both teams started this match on the back of a run of mixed results but sat in adjacent league positions with United in 8th and Caley in 9th. United had lost their previous match to Celtic, while Inverness recorded a fine win at St Mirren. However, United had won their last three games at the Caledonian Stadium and were looking to continue this run of victories in the Highlands.
Peter Houston made the decision to change the side that started the last four games; dropped were Kenneth and Russell with Dillon and Armstrong coming in. Heavy snow had fallen overnight in Inverness, however the staff at the Caledonian Stadium had done a good job to ensure the pitch was cleared in time for kick off.
United started out in a 4-5-1 formation with Daly leading the line. However, with only 60 seconds on the clock, United were caught cold when Davis drove into the box from the left side and cut back for Hayes to hammer home at the back post to give Inverness a 1-0 lead.
In the 11th minute, the United defence were under threat again as an energetic Hayes burst through the midfield only to have the ball nicked from his feet before he managed to get a shot away. A minute later, a tackle just inside the Caley half left Hogg down on the turf waving for the physio. Hogg looked to be in significant discomfort and had to be stretchered off after a 4 minute stoppage. He was replaced by Cox.
Inverness looked a little unsettled after the substitution and United tried to take advantage. A good run by Mackay-Steven set up Armstrong who was able to put a deep cross into the Inverness box. Flood was waiting at the back post but looked to be tripped as he chased the ball but the referee waved play on.
Flood was involved again in the 27th minute when his looping header forced Esson to touch past the post for a corner. The set piece was cleared, but United soon forced another corner when a Mackay-Steven shot from the edge of the box was deflected wide. Again the corner came to nothing.
As the game edged closer to half time, Inverness pressed further. Tokely found himself with time and space at the edge of the United box but Rankin was quick to react, closing down the defender before he could shoot.
Pernis then had to pull off a fantastic save from a long range McKay effort. He was at full stretch to get a finger tip to the shot and force a corner.
Inverness finished the half strongly and forced a string of corners in 1st half stoppage time. However, when referee Steven McLean blew for half time, it remained 1-0 to Inverness.
The second half started just like the first. With only a minute on the clock United were stunned when McKay managed to find space inside the box and head into the bottom corner past a helpless Pernis. With Inverness 2-0 up, Houston quickly set about re-organising the team. Flood was substituted and replaced by Russell who moved up front alongside Daly. With United now playing a 4-4-2 formation, they began get back into the game.
In the 50th minute, Armstrong set out on a fantastic run and he weaved his way past three Caley defenders. A neat pass slipped in Russell who found himself with room near the penalty spot to slot a great finish past Esson and get United back in the game.
Russell's introduction had sparked life into the Tangerines and they continued to press the Inverness defence. Inverness were restricted to counter attacks but had an opportunity to stretch their lead again when Dillon was booked for a foul at the edge of the box. The resultant free kick went narrowly wide. Inverness came very close a few minutes later when Foran drove a shot just past the post from 30 yards.
However, in 63 minutes United were back on level terms. A powerful, quick run by Mackay-Steven saw Armstrong teed up just inside the left hand edge of the area and his deflected shot landed high up in the Caley net.
United now looked in total control of the game as they continued to attack the end housing their vocal band of supporters. In 77 minutes United brought more joy to the fans that had made the long journey North. Russell got the ball at the edge of the area and passed the ball into the bottom corner of the net to grab his second goal and mark an astonishing turn around in the game.
Inverness were beginning to look frustrated and in 82 minutes Davis was sent off after picking up a second yellow card for a tackle on Mackay-Steven.
United calmly saw out the remaining minutes to earn a great victory in the Highlands.
Teams:
Inverness: Esson, Tokely, Hogg (Cox 15), Hayes, Tansey, Foran, Shinnie (Ross 67), Golobart, McKay (Tade 73), Gillet, Davis.
Subs not used - Tuffey, Morrison, Sutherland, Shinnie
Dundee United: Pernis, Dillon, Dixon, Flood (Russell 49), Robertson, Daly, Rankin, Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Gunning, Neilson.
Subs not used - Banks, Kenneth, Watson, Douglas, Dalla Valle, Dow.
Attendance - 3102
Referee - Steven McLean
