Missed opportunities cost us on home soil as Rangers took all three points. 

Dundee United 1 (Dalby 20')

Rangers 3 (Diomande 37', Pröpper 49', Dessers 86')

12 noon Sunday 26 January 2025

The CalForth Construction Arena at Tannadice Park

William Hill Premiership

Attendance: 13,653

Images: Richard Wiseman (Club Photographer)

The Team Talk

Jim Goodwin made three changes following our Scottish Cup exit on Monday. 

Ross Graham, Louis Moult and Emmanuel Adegboyega dropped to the bench in place of Glenn Middleton, Kai Fotheringham and Ruari Paton - who was handed his first United start. 

Sam Cleall-Harding was one of three DUFC Academy graduates named in our matchday squad following his recall from Kelty Hearts earlier this month. 

An Encouraging Start

We were up to pace right from the off with several early forays forward. 

Sam Dalby went close to opening the scoring inside five minutes as his glancing header from a Ryan Strain corner came back off the inside of the post. Kai Fotheringham then tried to throw himself at the rebound but it was hooked clear on the line by James Tavernier. 

Also involved in the earlier move, Paton was then quick to release Fotheringham for another crack but our number 18 could only drag his effort wide of the far post.  

A Well-Earned Lead

It didn't take long to find the opener as Scotland's hottest striker made his mark! 

A Will Ferry long throw was flicked on by Holt before Vicko Ševelj had a swipe at goal. It eventually broke to the feet of Dalby who held off his man and poked it into the top corner.

Back on Terms 

There was a real lack of chances ahead of Rangers finding the leveller through Mohamed Diomande's long-range strike that arrowed into the far corner just under ten minutes from the half. 

Looking For More

Both sides had chances to go in ahead as the clock ticked down. 

Fotheringham was again the one to go close as he met a stand-up cross from Ryan Strain - but Butland was equal to his effort as he nodded goalwards before Robin Pröpper made sure the danger was cleared. 

Cyriel Dessers then forced Jack Walton into a smart stop as he held off Declan Gallagher before swivelling to shoot low towards the corner. 

Falling Behind

The first half-chance of the second period again fell to our number 19 - as Dalby was afforded time to cushion down a looping ball from the Dundee sky. He then set himself for a slotted strike at the far corner but Butland was comfortable making the low save. 

The visitors soon went ahead as Pröpper was found unmarked inside the area and his deflected effort left Walton no chance. 

Nico Raskin was then the only intervention for Ševelj finding an equaliser as our Croatian's effort was blocked on the line. As Rangers broke quickly in numbers, Walton was out sharply to halt Dessers in his tracks as he looked to skip round our number one. 

Left Wanting

We came agonisingly close on multiple occasions, with Fotheringham striking the post before Raskin, who was attempting to clear a teasing Dalby cross, deflected the ball onto the inside of his own post before it ricocheted to safety.

The game was put to bed five minutes from time as Dessers thundered a narrow-angled effort into the top corner on the break. 

Philippe Clement's side were reduced to ten deep into five additional minutes when Diomande was sent off by referee Nick Walsh for an altercation with Holt.

 

Despite defeat, we stay clear in third after 24 fixtures in the William Hill Premiership. 

Post-Match Thoughts

Teamlines

Dundee United

Starting XI: Walton, Strain, Holt, Sevelj, Ferry, Middleton, Stephenson, Fotheringham, Dalby, Paton, Gallagher

Subs: Richards, Graham, Trapanovski, Fiorini, Moult, Babunski, Adegboyega, van der Sande, Cleall-Harding

Rangers

Starting XI: Butland, Tavernier (c), Propper, Dessers, Diomande, Bajrami, Makengo, Dias, Igmane, Hagi, Raskin

Subs: Kelly, Lawrence, Fernandes, King, McCausland, Rice, Lovelace, Curtis, Nsio

Next Up

We're on the road to take on Kilmarnock in front of the Premier Sports cameras next Saturday evening! 

CLICK HERE for full ticket details!

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