Charlie Mulgrew knew Dundee United could end Rangers’s 40-game unbeaten Premiership run if they got in the champions’ faces.
They did just that and put a smile on the faces of their fans thanks to Jamie Robson’s winner.
Former Celtic star Mulgrew admitted that is what they wanted to do after being left so disappointed by their abject performance in their opening day defeat at Aberdeen.
The defender also knew that Tam Courts men were getting Rangers at the perfect time – in between two big Champions League qualifiers.
And with Steven Gerrard ’s side reeling from their 2-1 away defeat to Malmo, United knocked them to the canvas again in Courts first home league game as boss.
Mulgrew said: “Nearly 18 months, domestically. Forty games. They’ve been brilliant, but we couldn’t affect what they did, it was about what we did and how we went up against them.
“It’s not easy in between Champions League games when you need to qualify and that’s your cup final.
“So it was important we didn’t give them an easy day and we never. We fought all over the pitch.” Mulgrew admitted that it was a real team effort from the players on the pitch to the supporters who were back in the Tannadice stands.
The former Scotland star said: “I could go right through the squad.
“Genuinely, it was a proper 11 out there and the lads that came on were brilliant.
“We really stuck to our game plan and got in their faces.
“I told the lads, I know what it’s like in between Champions League games and qualifiers. These games are difficult. You don’t want people in your face. You want an easy day.
“I knew it was important we didn’t give them that and from the first minute, we were right on top of them and we managed to get the result.
“But listen, they are a great side and they will respond to that.
“We are just happy that we could get a result.” The Taysiders were helped by a 4,600-strong crowd and Mulgrew knows the return of fans can change the dynamics of the season.
He claimed: “The fans were brilliant for us.
“We needed them to get behind us.
“We felt the difference with 6,000 at Pittodrie last week. It felt about 20,000.
“We knew our fans would get behind us if we started well and gave them something to cheer for. We did that and it just came together nicely.
“They stuck with us. We have to make sure that is the way forward – that we are all in it together and we are all pushing for the same thing.
“There is no doubt about it though, it makes away games a bit more difficult. When you give your fans something to cheer, maybe get a couple of corners early, it sways the opposition’s mindset to ‘we are under pressure here’.
“Whereas in a quiet stadium, it’s just like a training game and the pressure is off a wee bit.
“I’m sure in the first 15-20 minutes Rangers felt ‘we’ve not started well, oh no, no, no’.
“A few corners, and that’s what the fans do. Football’s nothing without fans. So we are thankful to have them.”
Mulgrew was also pleased for new boss Courts, who has been in the firing line since his summer appointment.
He brought Mulgrew back to the club and showed his qualities against Rangers.
The summer signing said: “I’m delighted for the manager. We felt that we owed him a response from last week’s game and we gave him that.
“So we’re delighted that we could fight for him on the pitch and show the fans that we are right behind him and that we
are all in this together, along with the fans.
“We want to have a good season.”
However, United’s hopes could take a dunt as talks over Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland moving to Belgian top-flight outfit Beerschot are at an advanced stage.
Goal hero Robson is also wanted by Lincoln City and Sunderland but Mulgrew hopes they can keep the full-back.
He admitted: “He’s a really good player. He took his goal well, he defended well, he was up and down the pitch.
“He’s a top-class full-back. I will be surprised if more teams are not interested in him. Hopefully, we can hold on to him.”
