DUTV
STORY OF THE MATCH | RANGERS (A)
25th November 2024
A late Johnny Russell penalty secured a hard earned point for the Tangerines at Tannadice today. Having taken an early lead courtesy of a bizarre goal from John Rankin, United fell behind to goals from McPake and Griffiths and for much of the game a Hibs win looked on the cards.
In the 6th minute John Rankin chased down a pass back and what followed looked somewhat unlikely. Looking to routinely launch the ball upfield, Williams's kick instead crashed off the back of Rankin and straight into the net to give the hosts another early lead. Hibs' first real effort of the match came in the 14th minute, when Paul Cairney shot low towards goal from the left side of the area, with Cierzniak saving well with his legs for United. Willo Flood then drove forward and released Gary Mackay-Steven who tugged a low effort wide on the angle. A quick throw in from Johnny Russell then allowed Mackay-Steven to venture into the box. He played the ball back for Stuart Armstrong outside the area and his well struck left foot drive flew only a foot or so off target, with a quarter of the game gone. Soon after Hibs were back on level terms following what looked a harsh free kick awarded against Watson. Griffiths delivered the ball into the area and James McPake glanced the ball into the far corner of the net despite the efforts of the on rushing Cierzniak. Chances became less frequent with United struggling to get forward, and Griffiths went close with a long range shot in the 40th minute which skimmed the roof of the net on its way over. The on form Hibs man went even closer right on half time, taking the ball in from the left after winning possession from Armstrong, with Cierzniak touching a fierce drive into the side netting and away from safety.
It was a more positive United after the break, making several forays into the Hibs box, but it was the visitors who went ahead in 51 minutes. Griffiths broke from half way, shadowed by Rankin, before cutting outside and drilling a powerful strike into the net from 25 yards. There seemed to be plenty of movement on the ball but Cierzniak will have been disappointed not to prevent the goal. Chasing the game, McNamara moved Daly back up front to partner Russell with Barry Douglas coming on in place of Richie Ryan and Sean Dillon moved to centre half. Almost immediately a Douglas free kick from the right was headed over by Watson as the hosts sought a route back into the game. It then took a superb saving challenge from Watson on Cairney, who looked set to score for Hibs after taking a Griffiths pass to prevent further damage for United. After good build up from the hosts, Rankin shot from long range in the 68th minute and wasn't far off target from around 25 yards. Armstrong then saw a header from a Watson cross tipped over by Williams as they chased an equaliser. The home side continued to push forward late on although chances were a rarity in what had become a scrappy match. In the 83rd minute Daly should have scored when a splendid Rankin cross found the captain unmarked inside the 6 yard box. Unfortunately for United he probably saw the ball too late and failed to make the right connection resulting in the ball flashing over the bar. With 5 minutes left Russell appeared to be tripped in the box but no penalty was awarded despite loud appeals. Barely a minute later the hosts were then awarded a spot kick after Mackay-Steven was clearly tripped by McGivern. It seemed borderline whether the incident was inside or outside the box, but Russell didn't care one bit as he squared the game by slotting the penalty confidently into the corner beyond Williams. It was all United as the game moved towards full time but they just couldn't secure what would have been a dramatic win and the points ended up being shared.
Full Time Summary: - It was certainly a point gained for the Tangerines as this is a game the Terrors could easily have lost. It wasn't until the last quarter that the hosts really gathered any rhythm and again the character of the side showed in the way they came back to earn a point.
Man of the Match: - In his 100th appearance for the club, young right back Keith Watson showed his worth to the side again this afternoon. He did his usual good work going forward but it was the goal saving challenge on Cairney that gave the hosts the platform on which to get back into the game.
United: - Cierzniak, Watson, Daly, McLean, Dillon, Flood, Ryan (Douglas 58), Rankin, Armstrong (Gardyne 78), Russell, Mackay - Steven. Subs not used - Banks, Souttar, Millar, Thomson, Dow.
Hibs: - Williams, Stevenson, McPake, Hanlon, McGivern, Done (Handling 87), Taiwo, Claros, Robertson, Cairney, Griffiths (Doyle 69). Subs not used - Murdoch, Deegan, Maybury, Caldwell, Forster.
Attendance - 6160
Referee - Alan Muir
In the 6th minute John Rankin chased down a pass back and what followed looked somewhat unlikely. Looking to routinely launch the ball upfield, Williams's kick instead crashed off the back of Rankin and straight into the net to give the hosts another early lead. Hibs' first real effort of the match came in the 14th minute, when Paul Cairney shot low towards goal from the left side of the area, with Cierzniak saving well with his legs for United. Willo Flood then drove forward and released Gary Mackay-Steven who tugged a low effort wide on the angle. A quick throw in from Johnny Russell then allowed Mackay-Steven to venture into the box. He played the ball back for Stuart Armstrong outside the area and his well struck left foot drive flew only a foot or so off target, with a quarter of the game gone. Soon after Hibs were back on level terms following what looked a harsh free kick awarded against Watson. Griffiths delivered the ball into the area and James McPake glanced the ball into the far corner of the net despite the efforts of the on rushing Cierzniak. Chances became less frequent with United struggling to get forward, and Griffiths went close with a long range shot in the 40th minute which skimmed the roof of the net on its way over. The on form Hibs man went even closer right on half time, taking the ball in from the left after winning possession from Armstrong, with Cierzniak touching a fierce drive into the side netting and away from safety.
It was a more positive United after the break, making several forays into the Hibs box, but it was the visitors who went ahead in 51 minutes. Griffiths broke from half way, shadowed by Rankin, before cutting outside and drilling a powerful strike into the net from 25 yards. There seemed to be plenty of movement on the ball but Cierzniak will have been disappointed not to prevent the goal. Chasing the game, McNamara moved Daly back up front to partner Russell with Barry Douglas coming on in place of Richie Ryan and Sean Dillon moved to centre half. Almost immediately a Douglas free kick from the right was headed over by Watson as the hosts sought a route back into the game. It then took a superb saving challenge from Watson on Cairney, who looked set to score for Hibs after taking a Griffiths pass to prevent further damage for United. After good build up from the hosts, Rankin shot from long range in the 68th minute and wasn't far off target from around 25 yards. Armstrong then saw a header from a Watson cross tipped over by Williams as they chased an equaliser. The home side continued to push forward late on although chances were a rarity in what had become a scrappy match. In the 83rd minute Daly should have scored when a splendid Rankin cross found the captain unmarked inside the 6 yard box. Unfortunately for United he probably saw the ball too late and failed to make the right connection resulting in the ball flashing over the bar. With 5 minutes left Russell appeared to be tripped in the box but no penalty was awarded despite loud appeals. Barely a minute later the hosts were then awarded a spot kick after Mackay-Steven was clearly tripped by McGivern. It seemed borderline whether the incident was inside or outside the box, but Russell didn't care one bit as he squared the game by slotting the penalty confidently into the corner beyond Williams. It was all United as the game moved towards full time but they just couldn't secure what would have been a dramatic win and the points ended up being shared.
Full Time Summary: - It was certainly a point gained for the Tangerines as this is a game the Terrors could easily have lost. It wasn't until the last quarter that the hosts really gathered any rhythm and again the character of the side showed in the way they came back to earn a point.
Man of the Match: - In his 100th appearance for the club, young right back Keith Watson showed his worth to the side again this afternoon. He did his usual good work going forward but it was the goal saving challenge on Cairney that gave the hosts the platform on which to get back into the game.
United: - Cierzniak, Watson, Daly, McLean, Dillon, Flood, Ryan (Douglas 58), Rankin, Armstrong (Gardyne 78), Russell, Mackay - Steven. Subs not used - Banks, Souttar, Millar, Thomson, Dow.
Hibs: - Williams, Stevenson, McPake, Hanlon, McGivern, Done (Handling 87), Taiwo, Claros, Robertson, Cairney, Griffiths (Doyle 69). Subs not used - Murdoch, Deegan, Maybury, Caldwell, Forster.
Attendance - 6160
Referee - Alan Muir
