RANGERS won yet again in the Scottish Premiership this afternoon, with James Tavernier’s second half penalty the difference between the Light Blues and Dundee United.
The home side had to dig deep to defeat a well-organised United side, but that’s now six wins from six league matches under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
The boss named two changes to his side for this afternoon’s Scottish Premiership match. From the team which faced St Johnstone here on Wednesday night, Nathan Patterson came in for Borna Barisic, while John Lundstram started instead of Joe Aribo.
Patterson shifted into left-back, with James Tavernier staying on the right while Connor Goldson partnered Calvin Bassey all in front of Allan McGregor.
Lundstram came into the middle of the park next to Glen Kamara and Scott Arfield, while Ryan Kent and Ianis Hagi played in support of Alfredo Morelos in an unchanged front three.
While Gers started with the vast bulk of possession, it was United who had the first opportunity of the game with Nicky Clark working Allan McGregor from 20-yards with a snapshot.
Gers’ first opportunity on goal came on 15 minutes with Tavernier testing Trevor Carson with a lofted shot from distance, before United tried to play out from the back and were caught by Hagi to put Morelos in. Unfortunately for the hosts, though, the Colombian skewed his shot wide.
Lundstram had a shot deflected wide from the edge of the box when he was set up by good Patterson work down the left, before right on half-time, Patterson set up the best opportunity of the match.
His ball from the left was stunning and right into the six-yard box. Alfredo Morelos attacked it and brought out a fantastic save from Carson who tipped the ball over the bar.
Van Bronckhorst replaced Lundstram with Scott Wright at the interval, and he had a big impact within six minutes, setting up Morelos for another good opportunity. From 15-yards, Morelos stepped inside Charlie Mulgrew well for the shot but could only fire over the bar.
Kent dragged a shot wide from 20-yards, before Wright and Morelos combined beautifully inside the area, only for Wright to find Carson smartly off his line to deny him at point-blank range.
Then, on 70 minutes, Rangers were awarded a penalty. Tavernier’s cross from the right wing was inexplicably handled as it came into the area by Scott McMann, and after consultation with the assistant on the Sandy Jardine Stand touchline, referee Alan Muir awarded the kick.
Up-stepped captain Tavernier to take it – and he could hardly have placed the ball any better as he found the inside of the side netting despite Carson going the right way.
The Light Blues thought they had a second on 79 minutes as Morelos poked home a super Tavernier free-kick delivery at the front post, but the flag of assistant referee went against him for offside.
Hagi dug out a late shot on the end of a Wright ball that Carson held onto, while sub Joe Aribo was denied by a Mulgrew block late-on as Gers broke.
In the third minute of injury time, uncertainty in the area allowed Darren Watson to loop a header off McGregor’s crossbar for United, but Gers held on for the crucial three points.
The Light Blues will now enjoy over a full week of training before welcoming St Mirren to Ibrox on Boxing Day.
RANGERS: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Bassey, Patterson, Kamara, Lundstram (Wright, 45), Arfield (Aribo, 65), Kent, Hagi, Morelos.
SUBS NOT USED: McLaughlin, Simpson, Bacuna, Fashion Jr, King.
DUNDEE UNITED: Carson, Sporle, Mulgrew, Clark, Edwards, Glass (Appere, 58), Mochrie (Hoti, 65), Watson, Meekison, McMann, Moore (Smith, 69).
SUBS NOT USED: Newman, Chalmers, Thomson, O’Donnell.
REFEREE: Alan Muir
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