RANGERS returned to winning ways in their first game since their 3-0 defeat to Celtic today – but they were made to work for their William Hill Premiership triumph over Dundee United at Tannadice.
A first half Tom Lawrence goal gave Philippe Clement’s side the lead against Jim Goodwin’s team and they dominated for long spells thereafter and created several scoring opportunities.
However, the Ibrox club’s players were unable to capitalise on any of them and they endured a few nervous moments before the three points were finally secured.
The narrow triumph moved Rangers above United into third place and back to within five of Aberdeen and Celtic at the top of the table. Here are five talking points from the encounter.
Lawrence match winner
Welsh internationalist Lawrence was, despite scoring in the 6-0 rout over Ross county at Hampden the previous weekend, left out of the Rangers starting line-up against Celtic a fortnight ago.
He perhaps had a point to prove this afternoon. He did superbly to open the scoring after receiving the ball from Dessers in the United half. He burst forward, cut inside Declan Gallagher, kept his composure despite the defenders who were hard on his heels and dinked over the advancing Jack Walton.
The former Manchester United, Leicester City and Derby County playmaker continued to cause the home side problems and was unfortunate not to double his tally on a few of occasions. First, after receiving a cutback from Connor Barron, then after being sent clear by Nedim Bajrami and lastly after replacement Hamza Igamane had tee him up.
New wingers
Colombian winger Oscar Cortes made his first appearance for Rangers since limping off with a knee injury in the second half of the Premiership opener against Hearts at Tynecastle way back on August 3.
The visiting fans were pleased to see the Lens loanee, whose move will become permanent next summer, take up his place on the left flank ahead of summer arrival Jefte.
The presence of Kieran Dowell on the other side of the threequarter line in the 4-2-3-1 formation that Clement opted for was something of a surprise. However, with Vaclav Cerny in his sick bed after taking ill during training yesterday, he was preferred to both Ross McCausland and Dujon Sterling.
The Englishman, though, revelled in the role. He cut inside when play allowed and tested Walton with a shot from distance after Lawrence had broken the deadlock. Cortes also got an attempt on target.
The South American failed, no doubt because Clement was wary of asking too much of him after such a lengthy layoff, to reappear for the start of the second half. Nedim Bajrami came on to make his debut.
The Albanian, a £3.4m capture from Italian outfit Sassuolo last month, was unable to create an opening from his new team mates to exploit or net himself. However, he will benefit from his involvement in a hard-fought win.
Igamane, who came in from AS FAR in his native Morocco this summer, looked decent after taking over from Dessers up front.
United rally
David Babunski and his United team mates had rather enjoyed life back in the Premiership before today – they went into their first meeting with Rangers in narly 18 months looking to maintain their unbeaten record in the top flight having won two and drawn two of their games.
But this was, no disrespect to Dundee, Ross County, St Mirren and St Johnstone, the sternest test they had faced since winning the Championship. They struggled to contain the visitors or trouble the opposition goal during the opening 45 minutes.
Goodwin was clearly unhappy with what he was witnessing and replaced Kevin Holt, much to his annoyance, with Ross Docherty after little over half an hour. The substitution, though, made little difference to proceedings. The hosts continued to be overrun in midfield.
There were appeals for United midfielder Emmanuel Adegboyega to be red carded for a late challenge on Barron shortly before half-time and VAR official Greg Aitken had another look at the incident over at Clydesdale House. However, he decided that Don Robertson had been correct to only show a yellow.
Whatever their manager said to them in the dressing room at half-time seemed to have an impact. Kristijan Trapanovski was unfortunate not to level 10 minutes into the second half. His effort was deflected inches past the right post by Barron’s back. Ross Graham then headed a Will Ferry corner just wide.
Gilligan reign up and running
The bombshell revelation that John Bennett had stood down as Rangers chairman for personal reasons yesterday meant there was a new face in the directors’ box at Tannadice this afternoon. Well, kind of.
John Gilligan, who has taken over from Bennett on a temporary basis until a permanent replacement can be appointed, is well known to fans of the Glasgow giants having helped to oust the old regime back in 2015 along with Dave King and Paul Murray and then served for a spell as a director.
He received the best wishes of his fellow supporters in the stands around him before kick-off and will hope that such shows of goodwill continue during his tenure. But there is, with the renovation of the Copland Stand still not complete and the team not at the level it needs to be, much for him to do.
Pyro plonkers
Gilligan may have his work cut out keeping the Union Bears in check.
They ultras group unveiled banners showing solidarity with the fan who was arrested and banned from attending games following an incident involving the St Johnstone supporter liaison officer before the Premier Sports Cup game at Hampden last month.
They then staged a coordinated pyrotechnic display as the teams came back out of the tunnel after half-time. Robertson had to delay the start of the second half to let the smoke to clear.
There were howls of protest when United prevented them from unfurling a tifo yesterday and calls to protect “ultra culture” today. But they really don’t help themselves.
