Defender Jamie Robson’s composed second-half goal earned Dundee United a well-deserved 1-0 victory over Rangers at Tannadice. United put in a superb collective performance with home keeper Benjamin Siegrist having very little to do and Jeando Fuchs impressive in midfield.
Rangers, unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership last season on their way to the title, last lost in the league against Hamilton at Ibrox on 4 March 2020, and it was far from the performance Steven Gerrard was after ahead of the second leg of their Champions League qualifier against Malmo on Tuesday.
The home side had the best of a goalless first half albeit they carved out few gilt-edged opportunities, but the 23-year-old left-back took advantage of a break of the ball in the 64th minute to score the only goal of the game.
United’s former Rangers striker, Nicky Clark, expressed his joy at the result. “Delighted, some shift from every single one of us and there were a few tired legs there at the end,” he said.
“We weren’t happy after last week [against Aberdeen] we sat off them. We changed our mentality today and said, ‘Let’s get after them.’ We pressed when it was the right time to press and sat of them when it was the right time. We defended well and thoroughly deserved the three points.”
Andy Halliday and Liam Boyce were amongst the goals as Hearts picked up a 2-1 away win at St Mirren to go top of the league after two wins from two matches. Halliday’s strike had Hearts in the ascendancy after 16 minutes and Boyce’s right-footed finish added a second after 73 minutes. Joe Shaughnessy’s header five minutes from time reduced the deficit but the Buddies made it difficult for themselves when Kristain Dennis was sent off immediately after for catching Peter Haring with an elbow.
Meanwhile, Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has urged his players to give the supporters some hope and belief when they return in numbers in their next two matches and not just wait for the fans to give them a lift.
A 24,500 crowd is set to welcome Celtic for their Premiership home game against Dundee on Sunday. A strong bond built between players and fans amid an unprecedented spell of domestic success unravelled during lockdown as Celtic endured a barren season and lost out to Rangers as they chased their 10th consecutive title.
Postecoglou has had to deal with lingering deficiencies in the squad in failing to win his opening three games but is slowly putting his stamp on the team and bringing in players, with Joe Hart set for a home debut. A 4-2 Europa League win against Jablonec on Thursday eased some of the pressure on the players and now Postecoglou wants them to harness the power of the returning fans. “Obviously I am super excited to sample that experience but even the players who have been here for a while, they really missed them last year,” the Australian said. “It’s such an important part of this football club. The supporters are the soul of this club. When they are not there, it just doesn’t feel the same.
“There is no doubt it’s an important ingredient when you are playing games at home, the energy the crowd gives you. Playing last week at Hearts, their crowd really gave them some energy and I’m sure that’s what the Celtic supporters will give us. But we have got to give them some hope and belief as well. It works both ways. If they see the team have a will and desire to play aggressive football and take it to opponents, they will get behind us.”
Celtic Park will be back at full capacity in time for Thursday’s Europa League second leg against the Czech side. But the immediate priority is to get their first three points of the season following their opening setback against Hearts. “It’s important for our league campaign that we get a result because if we are going to have success this year, we have to start winning games on a regular basis,” Postecoglou said.
“When we stick to our football, in every game we have played in periods when we control the game the way I want to and look really good. We just haven’t been able to do it consistently. The result is important but my gut always tells me that it’s the football that will get you there. If we want success, we have got to keep improving our football because even if we win on Sunday, if it’s not convincing it’s still going to show me that we have a way to go.”
