Red-hot Antonio Colak bagged a double as Rangers got back to winning ways against Dundee United.
The Croatia hitman was back in the side – and back in the goals as he pounced early in the first and second half to secure Gers a win on the back of three damaging defeats on the spin. The minute’s silence for the Queen before kick-off was hijacked by a section of the travelling support. But there was plenty of drama on the pitch as well as Gers were made to sweat for the points after Liam Smith grabbed one back to set up a nervy final half an hour for Gio van Bronckhorst ’s men.
The Rangers boss sent for the old guard against Napoli in midweek but this time he called on the kids. Youngster Charlie McCann was handed his first league start while teenage defender Leon King got his chance at the back. Alfredo Morelos, James Sands and Steven Davis made way with Colak returning up top. Dundee United were without hitman Steven Fletcher and the Tangerines were right in the thick of it from the first whistle.
Dundee United could have been a couple down even before Colak got Gers up and running after just eight minutes. Ryan Kent fluffed a sitter in the first minute and Scott Arfield scooped over the bar but the Croatian striker showed them how it’s done. James Tavernier did the leg work, winning the ball and going on the charge, slipping in to Colak, who’s first touch was spot on and his second was buried in the bottom corner.
It was just the start Rangers needed – and United feared. The visitors had to hang tough but they almost hit back after 25 minutes when Jamie McGrath’s driving run had the Light Blues turning and he sent Glen Middleton through on goal, only for Allan McGregor to stick out a big toe to make a trademark block.
Gers bossed the ball and probed for a second, but United defended in numbers and the home side got bogged down before the break. But van Bronckhorst’s men got another boost three minutes into the second period when Borna Barisic’s whipped cross was cleverly steered in by Colak at the near post.
United were not done though. They’d posed an occasional threat and it wasn’t heeded when Rangers were brilliantly opened up on the edge of their box by sub Sadat Anaku, who offloaded to McGrath and then into the path of Smith who smashed through McGregor. Rangers were rattled and United pushed to take advantage as the home crowd grew restless.
Kent provided a spark at the other end though when he beat his man and cut back, only for McCann to take a fresh air swipe. Sub Scott Wright got a shot off but was denied by Carljohan Eriksson.The keeper had to mop up his own mess soon after when his clearance only found sub Malik Tillman but the pass was just out of reach for Colak. And moments later the no.1 superbly tipped Tillman’s header over the top.
Here's 3 talking points
KIDS ARE ALRIGHT
Rangers fans have been calling for some of the talented young players at Ibrox to get a fair crack and they got their wish against United.
Charlie McCann looked the part on his first league start while Leon King slotted in at the back and looked comfortable all afternoon.
The pair of them have bags of potential and they’ll be looking to kick on and become regular features in the first team.
But their involvement once again highlighted the issues surrounding the summer recruitment drive.
Only Antonio Colak started among the most recent signings, while
The likes of Malik Tillman, Ridvan Yilmaz and Ben Davies were on the bench and Rabbi Matondo absent.
There’s a long way to go this season but Gio van Bronckhorst will need the new guys to step up and justify their transfer fees.
WELCOME BREAK
A change might be as good as a rest, but the rest might be as good as a change for Rangers. They got the job done against United but there are still signs it’s all a bit of a struggle right now for the Light Blues.
The hefty defeats to Celtic, Ajax and Napoli have taken their toll and even when they went two ahead at Ibrox, there were nervy moments on the pitch and in the stands.
It’s clear confidence has taken a fair hit and the likes of Ryan Kent are simply a shadow of their former selves.
There were moments of quality but too often it got a bit stodgy going forward and then frustration kicked in.
Gers were comfortable and two goals should always be enough, but the recent fragility set in and it gave United a sniff when the home side should have been out of sight.
The international break has come at a good time for van Bronckhorst and he needs to hit the reset button in training and hope his side can click into gear when they get back.
UNITED FRONT
It’s been a miserable start to the season for United but there are signs of recovery. Caretaker boss Liam Fox has done his chances of landing the gig no harm by shoring up the leaking backline for starters. Rangers were always going to be a huge test but United look far more resolute than they did when they were shipping goals left, right and centre.
Whoever gets the gig will inherit a squad that looks more than capable of holding its own in the Premiership.
For some reason, this side went into meltdown in the wake of the 7-0 AZ Alkmaar thrashing and they seemed shot to bits after Celtic stuck nine past them.
But slowly but surely they have clawed their way back and confidence looks to be returning.
They had to defend for long periods at Ibrox but there were moments when they caused concern on the break and slick in possession.
It’s a huge job ahead but there are foundations in place.
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