A sold-out CalForth Construction Arena provided the perfect backdrop as Dundee United opened the 2026/27 William Hill Premiership campaign with a hard-fought draw against Rangers.

Lachie Rose's first-half strike sent the home support into raptures before Aasgaard levelled after the break, but the Terrors produced an impressive opening-day display and could easily have claimed all three points. 

The hosts made an energetic start in the evening sunshine, with Rose almost racing through inside the opening minute before Jack Walton was called into action to deny Lawrence Shankland's clever back-heeled effort.

United continued to ask questions of the Rangers defence, with Rose repeatedly stretching the visitors' back line. Sapsford fired narrowly wide after good work down the left, while Will Ferry's relentless running earned a succession of dangerous set-piece opportunities.

At the other end, Walton produced another fine save to keep out a Naderi header before Emmanuel Agyei's deflected effort was turned behind after Ferry's long throw caused problems inside the Rangers penalty area.

The breakthrough arrived seven minutes before the interval. Jesse Randall's low cross from the left was intelligently dummied by Zac Sapsford, allowing Lachie Rose to arrive unmarked at the back post and direct the instinctive effort beyond the goalkeeper to send Tannadice into celebration.

Rangers emerged strongly after the break and Walton was forced into a few outstanding saves. The United goalkeeper first denied Chermiti from close range before producing an excellent flying stop to keep out Aasgaard's follow-up effort. Chermiti then struck the post moments later, although the attack was eventually halted for offside.

The pressure eventually told on 56 minutes when Aasgaard controlled inside the penalty area before firing a powerful left-footed finish beyond Walton to bring Rangers level.

United refused to retreat. Rose continued to trouble the visitors before Australian winger Daniel Bennie was introduced to make his competitive debut midway through the second half.

The substitute almost made an immediate impact, producing an unbelievable diagonal pass that released Jesse Randall through on goal six minutes from time. Randall attempted to lift the ball over the advancing goalkeeper, but his effort lacked the necessary height and was comfortably gathered.

Despite late Rangers pressure, the manager's side stood firm to secure a well-earned point from an encouraging opening-day display against one of the league's title contenders.

The result provides another confidence boost ahead of next weekend's trip to Tynecastle to face Hearts, with plenty of positives to take from an accomplished all-round team performance.

 

Michael Forbes in action at Tannadice

Dundee United 1 (Rose 38’)

Rangers 1 (Aasgaard 56’)

8pm Friday 31 July 2026

The CalForth Construction Arena at Tannadice Park

William Hill Premiership

Attendance: 13,465

Teamlines
DUNDEE UNITED

Starting XI: Walton, Esselink, Ševelj, Sapsford, Tait (c), Ferry, Agyei, Rose, Forbes, Randall, Rawlins
 
Subs: Amissah, Iovu, Graham, Agyei, Merghem, Camara, Eskesen, Farrugia, Bennie, Metsoko

RANGERS

Starting XI: Pandur, Godfrey, Shankland (c), Diomande, Aasgaard, , Devlin, Naderi, Sterling, Gassama, Rommens, Fernandez
 
Subs: Kelly, McCrorie, Neil, Chermiti, Dragojevic, Makhanya, Miovski, Chukwani, Curtis

 

Next Up

The Terrors will travel to the capital for the rearranged clash with Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday 9 August, kick-off is at 3pm.

Please note, the ballot for Match Tickets at Tynecastle has now closed!

 

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