Rangers 4-2 Dundee United: Röhl’s Rangers move into top spot | OneFootball

Glasgow Rangers picked up a vital 4-2 win over Dundee United at Ibrox yesterday afternoon, sending them top of the Scottish Premiership table for the first time this season.

January signing Ryan Naderi opened the scoring, before Danny Röhl’s side added goals through Dujon Sterling, Thelo Aasgaard and finally Bojan Miovski. Meanwhile, Amar Fatah and Zachary Sapsford provided lifelines for the visitors throughout the game.

As It Happened

Naderi almost gave Rangers the lead inside the opening five minutes, when his header went narrowly wide of the post. Dundee United forward Max Watters came close at a similar time, firing well wide from inside the penalty area. Aasgaard registered the hosts’ first shot on target of the afternoon after six minutes, with his free-kick forcing a save from Ashley Maynard-Brewer between the United posts. The Norwegian also picked up the first booking of the game ten minutes later for a foul on Vicko Sevelj.

Watters was the centre of attention again after 21 minutes but couldn’t find the target with his headed effort. Rangers’ opener followed shortly after, when Naderi poked home from close range after Aasgaard saw his shot saved by Maynard-Brewer. The Bears’ second came ten minutes later, with Sterling wheeling away in celebration after his header just about squeezed over the line from the centre of the penalty area.

Dundee United clawed one back on the stroke of half-time through Fatah, who smashed the ball past Jack Butland and into the bottom corner to restore some hope for his side ahead of the break. Rangers made two changes at half-time with Naderi and Andreas Skov Olsen replaced by Youssef Chermiti and Djeidi Gassama.

Fatah almost levelled the scores early in the second period, forcing a strong save from Butland. Aasgaard netted rangers’ third of the afternoon in the 52nd minute from very close range, restoring the home side’s two-goal lead. Dundee United’s keeper, Maynard-Brewer was forced off due to injury on the hour mark and subsequently replaced by former Bristol City goalkeeper Dave Richards.

The visitors’ first booking of the afternoon went to Emmanuel Agyei, who brought down Sterling inside his own half before Aasgaard fired wide from the resultant free-kick. Agyei was subbed off minutes later, in favour of Panutche Camara, and Neill Farugia was also replaced by Sapsford at the same time.

Richards was called into action by Chermiti with 25 minutes left on the clock, when the Portugese forward took on a shot from inside the penalty area. United’s second yellow of the day went to Hungarian defender Krisztian Keresztes following a foul on Gassama. Sapsford gave The Tangerines another lifeline in the 72nd minute when his left-footed strike nestled into the far corner.

Changes for both sides came shortly after, with Rangers bringing on Miovski and Connor Barron for Aasgaard and Tochi Chukwuani, whilst Dundee United replaced Watters with Ivan Dolcek. Miovski wrapped up the win for Rangers in the final minutes, twisting and turning on the edge of the area before reversing the ball back across goal and into the bottom corner.

Rangers captain James Tavernier was introduced moments later, replacing Sterling as his side looked to see out the remainder of the match. Chermiti nearly added a fifth goal for the hosts, however, he was once again denied by Richards, confirming a 4-2 win for Rangers.