First Team
TEAM NEWS | PARTICK THISTLE (H)
3rd May 2024
United were cruelly denied all three points in last minute at Tannadice this afternoon, as Hamed Namouchi bundled home a from a corner after the home side had led for most of an entertaining game. Despite the blustery conditions the terrors played some delightful football, particularly in the first half, and were left gutted at the final outcome of the match.
With Jason Scotland left out of the side after due to the effects of a recent flu bug James Grady was given the nod to partner Jim McIntyre up front. Also left out of the starting eleven was Chris Innes who was replaced by David McCracken. Paul Ritchie retained his place despite also being laid low all week with a virus. The visitors made two changes, with Alex Rae starting in place of Dragon Mladenovic and Steven Thompson replacing the suspended Nacho Novo.
First Half
Despite an early chance for the Ibrox men through Shota Arveladze it was United who made the brighter start, and a good spell of pressure was compounded in 11 minutes when McCracken headed the hosts into a deserved lead. Derek McInnes played an early ball back into the danger area after a corner had been cleared, and the tall centre half placed a fine header into the left corner beyond the grasp of Stefan Klos. The Tangerines then proceeded to dominate the larger part of the half and could have gone further ahead on 28 minutes but for an offside flag. McIntyre played in Barry Robson before netting from close range after the winger had sent in an angled shot, only for the linesman's flag to halt celebrations. Rangers almost levelled the scores on the stroke of half time after Alex Rae found space in the box when Alan Archibald slipped, however Tony Bullock pulled off a fine stop to deny the midfielder.
Second Half
United showed up well again early on, and first Derek McInnes fired in a good long range drive before Grant Brebner passed up an opportunity to double the advantage in 50 minutes. McInnes hooked the ball back into the area after Robson's cross evaded everyone, and McIntyre shot towards goal only for Klos to deflect the ball away from goal. Brebner met the ball three yards out but didn't have enough time to connect properly and sent the ball spinning wide. The visitors started to peg United further back from this point on, but the defence coped with everything that was being thrown their way and refused to allow the Rangers attack any clear cut chances. United still threatened to kill the game off on the break, most notably through Archibald and Robson however a major blow was to arrive right at the death. First Prso brought out a fine stop from Bullock then from the resulting corner substitute Namouchi deflected the ball home from close range via his shoulder, with no more than a minute remaining. There was little time to conjure up a winning goal and United were forced to settle for a point, which still lifted them from the foot of the table.
Summary
It was a cruel blow to lose an equaliser so late however Rangers were always in the game at 1-0. Perhaps United should have increased their lead during a first half in which they produced some fine play but nonetheless a point from either of the Old Firm is always a notable achievement.
Man of the Match - Grant Brebner
Put in a superb display along with Derek McInnes in central midfield and was always on hand to bring others into play with his intelligent use of the ball. He also broke up Rangers' possession countless times which contrived to be the key to United's strong display throughout. Robson, Ritchie and Bullock were also among United's best performers on the day.
United: Bullock, Wilson, McCracken, McInnes, Archibald, Kerr, Brebner, McIntyre, Robson, Grady, Ritchie. Subs not used: Jarvie, Samuel, Dodds, Scotland, Innes, Gardiner, Kenneth.
Rangers: Klos, Ricksen, Andrews, Arveladze (Namouchi, 65), Rae, Prso, Malcolm, Khizanishvilli, Thompson, Hutton, Vignal. Subs not used: Smith, Mladenovic, Ross, Hughes, McLean, Smith.
Referee: Mike McCurry
Attendance: 10,461
Read the full match report by Ally Stewart.
With Jason Scotland left out of the side after due to the effects of a recent flu bug James Grady was given the nod to partner Jim McIntyre up front. Also left out of the starting eleven was Chris Innes who was replaced by David McCracken. Paul Ritchie retained his place despite also being laid low all week with a virus. The visitors made two changes, with Alex Rae starting in place of Dragon Mladenovic and Steven Thompson replacing the suspended Nacho Novo.
First Half
Despite an early chance for the Ibrox men through Shota Arveladze it was United who made the brighter start, and a good spell of pressure was compounded in 11 minutes when McCracken headed the hosts into a deserved lead. Derek McInnes played an early ball back into the danger area after a corner had been cleared, and the tall centre half placed a fine header into the left corner beyond the grasp of Stefan Klos. The Tangerines then proceeded to dominate the larger part of the half and could have gone further ahead on 28 minutes but for an offside flag. McIntyre played in Barry Robson before netting from close range after the winger had sent in an angled shot, only for the linesman's flag to halt celebrations. Rangers almost levelled the scores on the stroke of half time after Alex Rae found space in the box when Alan Archibald slipped, however Tony Bullock pulled off a fine stop to deny the midfielder.
Second Half
United showed up well again early on, and first Derek McInnes fired in a good long range drive before Grant Brebner passed up an opportunity to double the advantage in 50 minutes. McInnes hooked the ball back into the area after Robson's cross evaded everyone, and McIntyre shot towards goal only for Klos to deflect the ball away from goal. Brebner met the ball three yards out but didn't have enough time to connect properly and sent the ball spinning wide. The visitors started to peg United further back from this point on, but the defence coped with everything that was being thrown their way and refused to allow the Rangers attack any clear cut chances. United still threatened to kill the game off on the break, most notably through Archibald and Robson however a major blow was to arrive right at the death. First Prso brought out a fine stop from Bullock then from the resulting corner substitute Namouchi deflected the ball home from close range via his shoulder, with no more than a minute remaining. There was little time to conjure up a winning goal and United were forced to settle for a point, which still lifted them from the foot of the table.
Summary
It was a cruel blow to lose an equaliser so late however Rangers were always in the game at 1-0. Perhaps United should have increased their lead during a first half in which they produced some fine play but nonetheless a point from either of the Old Firm is always a notable achievement.
Man of the Match - Grant Brebner
Put in a superb display along with Derek McInnes in central midfield and was always on hand to bring others into play with his intelligent use of the ball. He also broke up Rangers' possession countless times which contrived to be the key to United's strong display throughout. Robson, Ritchie and Bullock were also among United's best performers on the day.
United: Bullock, Wilson, McCracken, McInnes, Archibald, Kerr, Brebner, McIntyre, Robson, Grady, Ritchie. Subs not used: Jarvie, Samuel, Dodds, Scotland, Innes, Gardiner, Kenneth.
Rangers: Klos, Ricksen, Andrews, Arveladze (Namouchi, 65), Rae, Prso, Malcolm, Khizanishvilli, Thompson, Hutton, Vignal. Subs not used: Smith, Mladenovic, Ross, Hughes, McLean, Smith.
Referee: Mike McCurry
Attendance: 10,461
Read the full match report by Ally Stewart.
