Aasgaard rescues Rangers as they hold Dundee United in season opener
Rangers fail to win their opening game of the season for the fourth successive campaign, in Derek McInnes' first game in charge of the Ibrox club.
Rangers’ Derek McInnes era began with a familiar sense of unease, as the new manager’s side were forced to fight back from behind to secure a 1–1 draw against Dundee United in the opening fixture of the Scottish Premiership season.
The visitors threatened early on when newly-crowned Rangers captain Lawrence Shankland fashioned an inviting flick, only for United goalkeeper Jack Walton to react sharply and tip the ball over. Walton was quickly called into action again, this time palming away a Ryan Naderi header as Rangers searched for an opening.
The breakthrough came for the hosts against the run of play just after the half hour mark. Jesse Randall delivered a low, dangerous cross that Lachlan Rose converted with a simple tap-in, sending Tannadice into the break with a deserved lead.
Rangers emerged with greater intent after half time. Youssef Chermiti twice went close in quick succession before Thelo Aasgaard smashed home a brilliant equaliser, giving McInnes the first tangible return of his tenure.
The match grew increasingly stretched as both sides looked for a winner. United created the clearest chance to snatch all three points when Jesse Randall found himself clean through on goal, but instead of lifting the ball over Ivor Pandur, he sent a tame effort straight into the keeper’s hands.
Frustration mounted for United late on when Randall was flagged for offside in a decisive moment, despite replays suggesting the forward was actually in his own half when the ball was played.
In the end, it proved a lucky escape for Rangers, who have now failed to win their opening league match for the fourth consecutive season, while United were left to reflect on a performance that merited more than a single point.
Speaking after the game, United manager Jim Goodwin said: “I’m obviously very pleased with the overall performance. I thought the first half was excellent, I thought we were the better team.
“Rangers make changes at half-time and put us on the back foot for the opening 10 or 15 minutes of the second 45, but I think on the balance of play, when you break down all the different metrics, a draw is probably fair.
“But I can’t get away from the fact that we miss that glorious chance at the end where Jesse Randall is through one-on-one and you’re thinking that’s the moment.
“He’s apologised to the group, but I can’t be over critical of the player; I think he’s had a terrific game. He’s a really, really talented young prospect. His overall performance was excellent, and I’m sure he’ll be thinking about it into the small hours.
“We’re not getting carried away, it’s only a point, and we wanted all three, but to get that point on the board is important.”
While Rangers manager Derek McInnes was disappointed with the way his side played, he added: “We worked hard to get back into it but I don’t think we were good enough to win the game. I thought the point was the right scoreline and we’re disappointed with that.
“First half, we wasted a lot, we didn’t create too much, and it was a bit too frantic. We never really connected the game well enough or looked after the ball well enough, and we lost a poor goal from our point of view.”
What’s next
Dundee United are away to Hearts on Sunday 9th August, while Rangers travel to Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok for the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie on Thursday night.
Teams
Rangers: Pandur, Sterling, Godfrey (McCrorie, 63), Fernandez, Rommens, Diomande, Devlin (Curtis, 82), Aasgaard, Gassama (Neil, 46), Naderi (Chermiti, 46), Shankland.
Subs: Kelly, McCrorie, Makhanya, Dragojevic, Chukwuani, Miovski.
Dundee United: Walton, Esselink (Iovu, 63), Sevelj (Camara, 77), Sapsford (Metsoko, 77), Tait, Ferry, Agyei, Rose (Bennie, 70), Forbes, Randall, Rawlins.
Subs: Amissah, Graham, Merghem, Eskesen, Farrugia.