Michael Beale made it six games unbeaten as Rangers boss as his side recovered from a sluggish first half to swat Dundee United aside with a 2-0 win at Tannadice as they cut the gap on leaders Celtic back to nine points.
The Ibrox side toiled in the opening 45 minutes at Tanandice before exploding into life after the break. Fashion Sakala, just as he did against Celtic six days earlier, played an instrumental role with the opening goal nine minutes into the second half before Malik Tillman added another three minutes later as the Taysiders’ resistance was finally broken.
The defeat was the first for Liam Fox’s men since the return to domestic action after the winter World Cup break after an impressive run and it was only the second in six games for Dundee United against Rangers on home soil in all competitions. Beale made three changes from the Old Firm starting XI and they it was right through he spine of his side with Jon McLaughlin between the sticks, Ryan Jack in the middle of the park and Antonio Colak in attack all coming into he team.
They kicked off a dozen points behind their rivals and set about trying to reduce that gap with Borna Barisic’s cross bouncing off the top of the crossbar, Connor Goldson had plenty of space from a corner but couldn’t find the net with his header and Colak had a shot on target, albeit it brought out a routine save from Mark Birighitti.
But after that it was the home side who looked more likely to score. Steven Fletcher, preferred to Tony Watt, flashed a shot over at the other end before the experienced frontman volleyed wide from a Glenn Middleton cross. Ex-Ger Middleton caused his old club some problems as McLaughlin was forced to scramble a low cross away.
Goldson has been in the headlines after his handball controversy against Celtic and VAR ruled out another potential penalty when the ball appeared to strike his arm from a United corner, with Steven McLean not asked to take a second look by Steven Kirkland watching at Clydesdale House.
The home side were the happier of the two with the opening 45 minutes might have gone in leading at the break but Liam Smith spurned a great opportunity and Beale acted at the break with Alfredo Morelos replacing Colak.
And the visitors would have been ahead if it wasn’t for Birighitti who pulled off a brilliant point blank save to deny Sakala who got on the end of Barisic’s cross. But there was little the United keeper could do to deny the Zambian as the visitors broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half.
Barisic played a ball down the channel and it appeared to come off Jack’s shoulder and into the path of Sakala who held off Ryan Edwards, on his 100th appearance for United, before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the back of the net.
The Light Blues hit them with a quick one-two as they followed that opener up with a second just three minutes later. James Tavernier drove down the right and cut the ball back for Sakala but after his initial effort was saved, the ball broke for Tillman and he did brilliantly to pick his spot and despatch the ball beyond Birighitti.
Here are our three Tannadice talking points.
A break can do you good
There has been a familiar pattern for Rangers under Michael Beale in that they have struggled in the first half and this was no different. There was no fluency to their play and they were lucky not to even go into behind at the interval. But something changed at half-time - and it wasn’t just the introduction of Alfredo Morelos - and they came out with a renewed purpose, just as they had done against Celtic six days earlier.
They moved up through the gears and were like a different team. What is Beale saying to them at half-time and why can’t they start faster? The Ibrox boss will be happy they are recovering but they can’t afford to continue to turn in below par displays in the opening 45 minutes.
Goldson survives another handball claim
Connor Goldson had a full week of seeing his name in the headlines over the decision not to at least have his potential handball checked on the monitor for a potential penalty for Celtic in the derby at Ibrox. Unbelievably, the defender was at the centre of another possible spot kick for the same reason.
The ball came into the box from a Dundee United corner and struck his arm, which was by his side, but Steven McLean decided no penalty for the home side and he was backed up by VAR. Sky Sports panellists Kris Boyd and Sean Dillon both agreed it wasn’t a penalty.
Frustration for Fox
It’s been a decent return for Dundee United since the winter break with a draw at home to Hearts and back to back wins against Ross County and St Johnstone. So there’s no doubt this defeat will be a blow to Tangerines gaffer Liam Fox. They sit just three points above bottom side Ross County and face back to back away games against Hibs and Livingston. He has to be encouraged with what he witnessed from his side in the first half but they were blown away in the early period of the second half. However, there are still positive signs in their battle to beat the drop.
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