MATCH REPORT | A PROMOTION PARTY AT TANNADICE
4th May 2024
A battling display saw ten-man United hold on for a 0-0 draw at home to Rangers and consolidate their position as favourites to secure third place in the SPL.
Mihael Kovacevic was sent off midway through the second half, but not for the first time this season, Peter Houston's young side showed their fighting qualities and held out for a point - and in doing so stretched to nine points their lead over fourth placed Hibernian.
United's Swiss defender was ordered off after clashing with Kyle Lafferty. The Northern Irishman - no stranger to controversy - looked to have fouled his opponent, but the full-back reacted angrily and kicked out, leaving referee Brian Winter no option but to show him the red card.
But despite their numerical advantage, Walter Smith's side couldn't capitalise and United held on for a well-earned draw - meaning they are now ten games unbeaten.
Both teams had chances to win the match but neither could turn their chances into goals.
Rangers threatened early on through Steven Davis, but he curled a free-kick over the bar.
The home side's first real effort on goal came from Garry Kenneth, who tested Alan McGregor in the Rangers goal with a long-range effort, but the keeper saved with his legs.
Danny Cadamarteri also came close when his shot hit the side netting.
Rangers' best effort of the first half came through Kenny Miller, but his top-corner bound 25-yard volley was parried away by Dusan Pernis.
United looked more of a threat in the second half, with both Cadamarteri and Francisco Sandaza having opportunities to open the scoring, but neither could convert - with the Spanish striker missing the best chance when he headed wide from 12 yards.
With the Terrors on top, the momentum swung in Rangers' favour when Kovacevic was sent off on 70 minutes.
The Ibrox side piled on the pressure and could have stolen all three points in the closing stages when substitutes Kris Boyd and Nacho Novo got in behind the United defence.
Boyd's effort was brilliantly blocked by Pernis and Novo fired the loose ball into the net - but both were flagged offside.
Miller came close to winning it for Rangers when he went on a solo run and struck a left-footed shot across goal, but thankfully for the Tangerines, his effort rebounded off the post and United cleared to safety to secure a point - much to the delight of the Arabs.
Teams:
Dundee United: Pernis, Dillon, Dods (c), Kenneth, Kovacevic, Gomis, Buaben, Robertson (Conway, 60) Myrie-Williams (Watson, 71) Cadamarteri, Sandaza (Goodwillie, 75) (Subs not used: Banks, Swanson, Daly, Casalinuovo)
Rangers: McGregor, Whittaker, Weir, Bougherra, Papac, McCulloch, Davis, Edu (Thomson, 90) Naismith (Boyd, 57) Miller, Lafferty (Novo, 73) (Subs not used: Alexander, Fleck, Little, Wilson)
Referee: Brian Winter
Attendance: 11,100
Mihael Kovacevic was sent off midway through the second half, but not for the first time this season, Peter Houston's young side showed their fighting qualities and held out for a point - and in doing so stretched to nine points their lead over fourth placed Hibernian.
United's Swiss defender was ordered off after clashing with Kyle Lafferty. The Northern Irishman - no stranger to controversy - looked to have fouled his opponent, but the full-back reacted angrily and kicked out, leaving referee Brian Winter no option but to show him the red card.
But despite their numerical advantage, Walter Smith's side couldn't capitalise and United held on for a well-earned draw - meaning they are now ten games unbeaten.
Both teams had chances to win the match but neither could turn their chances into goals.
Rangers threatened early on through Steven Davis, but he curled a free-kick over the bar.
The home side's first real effort on goal came from Garry Kenneth, who tested Alan McGregor in the Rangers goal with a long-range effort, but the keeper saved with his legs.
Danny Cadamarteri also came close when his shot hit the side netting.
Rangers' best effort of the first half came through Kenny Miller, but his top-corner bound 25-yard volley was parried away by Dusan Pernis.
United looked more of a threat in the second half, with both Cadamarteri and Francisco Sandaza having opportunities to open the scoring, but neither could convert - with the Spanish striker missing the best chance when he headed wide from 12 yards.
With the Terrors on top, the momentum swung in Rangers' favour when Kovacevic was sent off on 70 minutes.
The Ibrox side piled on the pressure and could have stolen all three points in the closing stages when substitutes Kris Boyd and Nacho Novo got in behind the United defence.
Boyd's effort was brilliantly blocked by Pernis and Novo fired the loose ball into the net - but both were flagged offside.
Miller came close to winning it for Rangers when he went on a solo run and struck a left-footed shot across goal, but thankfully for the Tangerines, his effort rebounded off the post and United cleared to safety to secure a point - much to the delight of the Arabs.
Teams:
Dundee United: Pernis, Dillon, Dods (c), Kenneth, Kovacevic, Gomis, Buaben, Robertson (Conway, 60) Myrie-Williams (Watson, 71) Cadamarteri, Sandaza (Goodwillie, 75) (Subs not used: Banks, Swanson, Daly, Casalinuovo)
Rangers: McGregor, Whittaker, Weir, Bougherra, Papac, McCulloch, Davis, Edu (Thomson, 90) Naismith (Boyd, 57) Miller, Lafferty (Novo, 73) (Subs not used: Alexander, Fleck, Little, Wilson)
Referee: Brian Winter
Attendance: 11,100
