MATCH REPORT | RANGERS 2-1 UNITED

An Antonio Colak double gave Rangers all three points at Ibrox. 

After the postponement of last weekend’s fixtures, Dundee United were back in cinch Premiership action with a trip to Ibrox - taking on a Rangers team currently second in the table. 

Liam Fox made one change to the side that drew with Motherwell two weeks ago. Steven Fletcher missed out with a thigh strain and was replaced by Glenn Middleton. 

FIRST-HALF

Rangers almost had an opener one minute into the match. James Tavernier’s out-swinging delivery caused problems for the United defence before the ball ended up with Ryan Kent who dragged his shot into the ground. The ball then fell kindly for Colak but United managed to clear their lines. 

The hosts opened the scoring in eight minutes through Colak. Rangers won the ball back deep in their own half and Tavernier lead the counter-attack down United’s left. 

The Rangers right-back broke into the box and cut the ball back for Colak who finished coolly from 12 yards. 

More chances fell the hosts way with Scott Arfield and John Lundstrum both failing to hit the target from inside the penalty area. 

FIRST-HALF CHANCES

There were sightings at goal for United in the opening 45. 

Our first-half chance came after 17 minutes as Jamie McGrath’s corner was met by Glenn Middleton, but his looping header fell just over the crossbar. 

Middleton then turned provider for Tony Watt minutes later, but his through ball was just overhit and collected by Allan McGregor. 

Middleton had a chance for himself 25 minutes in - this time he was played through by Ian Harkes, but his low effort was saved by the feet of McGregor. 

Despite trailing at the break, it was a resolute first-half performance from the Terrors. 

SECOND-HALF

The second half was a more exciting affair, with both sides carving chances.

In the opening moments of the second period, Watt’s appeal for a foul on the edge of the Rangers penalty area was waved away by referee Kevin Clancy. 

A second goal for Colak followed three minutes later. Borna Barisic’s delivery from wide found the Croatian striker in the box and a neat flick was enough to beat Saku in the United net. 

Before the hour mark, the Terrors made their first change with Middleton being replaced by Sadat. The Ugandan striker was involved straight away with some neat interchanges on the break. A slick ball inside found McGrath who teed up Liam Smith to fire home with the best part of half an hour to play. 

United continued to grow into the game with Sadat involved again - this time his powerful header from outside the box forced McGregor into a save. 

With three additional minutes added, United continued their relentless pressure. Cudjoe’s corner was recycled back to the winger, but we failed to test the Rangers goal. 

United won another corner in the match’s last action but Kevin Clancy blew the full-time whistle before it could be taken. 

TEAMLINE

Starting XI: Eriksson, Behich, Graham (McMann ’68), Edwards (c), Mulgrew (A.Sadat ’57), Smith, Harkes, Levitt, McGrath, Watt (Cudjoe ’87). 

Substitutes not used: Newman, Niskanen, Sibbald, Meekison, Freeman, Thomson

Attendance: 49,334

NEXT UP

United are next in action on Saturday October 1st following the international break. 

St Johnstone are at Tannadice for a 3pm kick-off with tickets still available online and in-store.