Dundee United 1-1 Rangers: Joe Aribo cancels out Ross Graham opener

Rangers missed the chance to overtake Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic as Dundee United held the defending champions in a Tannadice thriller.

Ross Graham survived a penalty claim before nodding United in front.

Joe Aribo was denied with a header then levelled from Calvin Bassey’s cutback amid relentless second-half pressure.

Amad Diallo hit the post for the visitors but there was to be no winner, meaning Celtic can go three points clear if they beat Dundee later.

Thomas Courts’ United end the weekend fifth, in between Hibernian and Motherwell, with all three sides on the same points.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Rangers, who beat Europa League hosts Borussia Dortmund 4-2 on Thursday, remain without an away league win in 2022.

• Reaction & as it happened

In a breathless encounter, Rangers’ calls for a handball inside the United box were turned down after Charlie Mulgrew’s clearance connected with Graham’s outstretched arm. Replays suggested the visitors had a case.

Alfredo Morelos was then played in by Scott Arfield at the end of a swift counter-attack but could not get a shot away before goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist gathered.

Ilmari Niskanen sold three Rangers players a dummy and was only denied a goal by a James Tavernier deflection that took the ball inches wide.

The hosts grew in confidence and began to win corners, which proved to be Rangers’ undoing. Dylan Levitt crossed from the left and Graham outjumped Filip Helander to beat Allan McGregor. It was an early birthday present for the defender, who turns 21 on Wednesday.

United maintained their intensity early in the second period and Marc McNulty tested McGregor from Niskanen’s low cross.

Tavernier’s corner was headed powerfully towards goal by Aribo but Siegrist was alert with the save. Substitute Fashion Sakala claimed to have had his shirt tugged by Graham as he tried to score on the rebound.

Sakala improved Rangers as an attacking threat and his two low crosses in quick succession from the right could not be converted by Morelos, Siegrist saving the second chance.

On the other flank, Ryan Kent escaped his man and pressed with the final delivery inches away from the sliding Morelos.

But Rangers’ incessant pressure told when Kent’s pass released Bassey to the byeline and his low ball back was battered high into the net by Aribo.

Diallo had joined the visiting attack and almost scored when put through by Kent’s lob, his effort rattling the right-hand post. Kent retrieved possession and set up Ryan Jack but Mulgrew’s superb challenge averted the danger.

Sakala and Kent were off target with further efforts and Siegrist and Sakala needed treatment after they collided in added time.

There was one more nervous moment for Siegrist when another fierce Sakala cross clipped the crossbar.

Man of the match – Ilmari Niskanen

What did we learn?

Dundee United have been a thorn in Rangers’ side this season, having beaten them once already this term, and Courts clearly saw an avenue from set pieces that his side exploited.

Though many would argue Rangers created enough chances to win, the home side brought a lot to the game and were good value for their point.

Rangers, without injured January signing Aaron Ramsey, continue to struggle on the road domestically with points now dropped away to Aberdeen, Ross County, Celtic and Dundee United since the winter break.

However, the fight they showed in the second half suggests they are not done with the title race.

What did they say?

Dundee United head coach Thomas Courts: “It was a rollercoaster of emotions. Once you get the breakthrough, that helps the game plan. The boys were really tactically astute, very disciplined on the pitch. We more than merited any stroke of luck that we got and a draw was probably a fair result.

“Second half, Rangers are going to try and find their way back into the game with the quality that they have and the alterations that the manager made. When Rangers got the breakthrough, it probably was something that they deserved.”

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst told Sky Sports: “Disappointment that we did win. I don’t how many chances we created – I think the most chances we created this season to score. Eventually the chances have to be scored and that’s what didn’t do and that’s why we lost points.

“VAR will make it easier. These decisions that can be turning points, they can change the game but there’s no VAR so end of discussion. What can we do? There is no VAR. Every decision that the referee will make, it cannot be overturned, so we have to respect the decision he makes.”

What’s next?

Rangers play the return leg of their Europa League tie with Borussia Dortmund at Ibrox on Thursday (20:00 GMT). Dundee United visit Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday (15:00).

Player of the match

SmithLiam Smith

with an average of 7.44

Dundee United

1. Squad number2Player nameSmith

2. Squad number7Player nameNiskanen

3. Squad number1Player nameSiegrist

4. Squad number29Player nameGraham

5. Squad number4Player nameMulgrew

6. Squad number12Player nameEdwards

7. Squad number32Player nameWatt

8. Squad number19Player nameLevitt

9. Squad number9Player nameMcNulty

10. Squad number18Player nameButcher

11. Squad number22Player nameFreeman

12. Squad number23Player nameHarkes

13. Squad number10Player nameClark

Rangers

1. Squad number14Player nameKent

2. Squad number8Player nameJack

3. Squad number17Player nameAyodele-Aribo

4. Squad number3Player nameBassey

5. Squad number1Player nameMcGregor

6. Squad number4Player nameLundstram

7. Squad number2Player nameTavernier

8. Squad number6Player nameGoldson

9. Squad number20Player nameMorelos

10. Squad number37Player nameArfield

11. Squad number5Player nameHelander

12. Squad number30Player nameSakala

13. Squad number9Player nameDiallo

Line-ups

Dundee Utd

Formation 3-5-2

1Siegrist

12Edwards4Mulgrew29Graham

2Smith23Harkes18Butcher19Levitt7Niskanen

32Watt9McNulty

• 1Siegrist
• 12EdwardsBooked at 31mins
• 4Mulgrew
• 29GrahamBooked at 34mins
• 2Smith
• 23Harkes
• 18ButcherSubstituted forFreemanat 78′minutes
• 19Levitt
• 7Niskanen
• 32WattBooked at 39minsSubstituted forClarkat 85′minutes
• 9McNulty

Substitutes

• 10Clark
• 13Eriksson
• 15Akinola
• 17Meekison
• 20Neilson
• 22Freeman
• 26Mochrie
• 52Moore
• 53Macleod

Rangers

Formation 4-2-3-1

1McGregor

2Tavernier6Goldson5Helander3Bassey

8Jack4Lundstram

37Arfield17Ayodele-Aribo14Kent

20Morelos

• 1McGregor
• 2Tavernier
• 6Goldson
• 5HelanderSubstituted forDialloat 73′minutes
• 3Bassey
• 8Jack
• 4Lundstram
• 37ArfieldSubstituted forSakalaat 58′minutes
• 17Ayodele-Aribo
• 14Kent
• 20MorelosBooked at 41mins

Substitutes

• 9Diallo
• 10Davis
• 18Kamara
• 19Sands
• 22Zukowski
• 25Roofe
• 28McCrorie
• 30Sakala
• 31Barisic

Live Text

1. Match ends, Dundee United 1, Rangers 1.

2. Second Half ends, Dundee United 1, Rangers 1.

3. Foul by Ryan Jack (Rangers).

4. Dylan Levitt (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

5. Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Ryan Edwards.

6. Foul by Fashion Sakala (Rangers).

7. Benjamin Siegrist (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

8. Attempt missed. Ryan Kent (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Fashion Sakala.

9. Attempt missed. Fashion Sakala (Rangers) right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Joe Ayodele-Aribo.

10. Attempt blocked. Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Rangers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Alfredo Morelos.

11. Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Ross Graham.

12. Attempt blocked. James Tavernier (Rangers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Joe Ayodele-Aribo.

13. Attempt blocked. James Tavernier (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Amad Diallo.

14. Attempt blocked. Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Joe Ayodele-Aribo.

15. Substitution, Dundee United. Nicky Clark replaces Tony Watt.

16. Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Charlie Mulgrew.

17. Attempt blocked. Ryan Jack (Rangers) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ryan Kent.

18. Amad Diallo (Rangers) hits the right post with a right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box. Assisted by Ryan Kent.

19. Offside, Rangers. Connor Goldson tries a through ball, but Alfredo Morelos is caught offside.

20. Offside, Rangers. Joe Ayodele-Aribo tries a through ball, but Fashion Sakala is caught offside.

Joe Aribo fired Rangers level but they could not find a winner at TannadiceRangers missed the chance to overtake Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic as Dundee United held the defending champions in a Tannadice thriller.Ross Graham survived a penalty claim before nodding United in front.Joe Aribo was denied with a header then levelled from Calvin Bassey’s cutback amid relentless second-half pressure.Amad Diallo hit the post for the visitors but there was to be no winner, meaning Celtic can go three points clear if they beat Dundee later.Thomas Courts’ United end the weekend fifth, in between Hibernian and Motherwell, with all three sides on the same points.Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Rangers, who beat Europa League hosts Borussia Dortmund 4-2 on Thursday, remain without an away league win in 2022.Reaction & as it happenedIn a breathless encounter, Rangers’ calls for a handball inside the United box were turned down after Charlie Mulgrew’s clearance connected with Graham’s outstretched arm. Replays suggested the visitors had a case.Alfredo Morelos was then played in by Scott Arfield at the end of a swift counter-attack but could not get a shot away before goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist gathered.Ilmari Niskanen sold three Rangers players a dummy and was only denied a goal by a James Tavernier deflection that took the ball inches wide.The hosts grew in confidence and began to win corners, which proved to be Rangers’ undoing. Dylan Levitt crossed from the left and Graham outjumped Filip Helander to beat Allan McGregor. It was an early birthday present for the defender, who turns 21 on Wednesday.United maintained their intensity early in the second period and Marc McNulty tested McGregor from Niskanen’s low cross.Tavernier’s corner was headed powerfully towards goal by Aribo but Siegrist was alert with the save. Substitute Fashion Sakala claimed to have had his shirt tugged by Graham as he tried to score on the rebound.Sakala improved Rangers as an attacking threat and his two low crosses in quick succession from the right could not be converted by Morelos, Siegrist saving the second chance.On the other flank, Ryan Kent escaped his man and pressed with the final delivery inches away from the sliding Morelos.But Rangers’ incessant pressure told when Kent’s pass released Bassey to the byeline and his low ball back was battered high into the net by Aribo.Diallo had joined the visiting attack and almost scored when put through by Kent’s lob, his effort rattling the right-hand post. Kent retrieved possession and set up Ryan Jack but Mulgrew’s superb challenge averted the danger.Sakala and Kent were off target with further efforts and Siegrist and Sakala needed treatment after they collided in added time.There was one more nervous moment for Siegrist when another fierce Sakala cross clipped the crossbar.Man of the match – Ilmari NiskanenThe winger (far right) was a persistent pest to the Rangers defence and unfortunate not to scoreWhat did we learn?Dundee United have been a thorn in Rangers’ side this season, having beaten them once already this term, and Courts clearly saw an avenue from set pieces that his side exploited.Though many would argue Rangers created enough chances to win, the home side brought a lot to the game and were good value for their point.Rangers, without injured January signing Aaron Ramsey, continue to struggle on the road domestically with points now dropped away to Aberdeen, Ross County, Celtic and Dundee United since the winter break.However, the fight they showed in the second half suggests they are not done with the title race.What did they say?Dundee United head coach Thomas Courts: “It was a rollercoaster of emotions. Once you get the breakthrough, that helps the game plan. The boys were really tactically astute, very disciplined on the pitch. We more than merited any stroke of luck that we got and a draw was probably a fair result.”Second half, Rangers are going to try and find their way back into the game with the quality that they have and the alterations that the manager made. When Rangers got the breakthrough, it probably was something that they deserved.”Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst told Sky Sports: “Disappointment that we did win. I don’t how many chances we created – I think the most chances we created this season to score. Eventually the chances have to be scored and that’s what didn’t do and that’s why we lost points.”VAR will make it easier. These decisions that can be turning points, they can change the game but there’s no VAR so end of discussion. What can we do? There is no VAR. Every decision that the referee will make, it cannot be overturned, so we have to respect the decision he makes.”What’s next?Rangers play the return leg of their Europa League tie with Borussia Dortmund at Ibrox on Thursday (20:00 GMT). Dundee United visit Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday (15:00).Player of the matchSmithLiam Smithwith an average of 7.44Dundee UnitedSquad number2Player nameSmithSquad number7Player nameNiskanenSquad number1Player nameSiegristSquad number29Player nameGrahamSquad number4Player nameMulgrewSquad number12Player nameEdwardsSquad number32Player nameWattSquad number19Player nameLevittSquad number9Player nameMcNultySquad number18Player nameButcherSquad number22Player nameFreemanSquad number23Player nameHarkesSquad number10Player nameClarkRangersSquad number14Player nameKentSquad number8Player nameJackSquad number17Player nameAyodele-AriboSquad number3Player nameBasseySquad number1Player nameMcGregorSquad number4Player nameLundstramSquad number2Player nameTavernierSquad number6Player nameGoldsonSquad number20Player nameMorelosSquad number37Player nameArfieldSquad number5Player nameHelanderSquad number30Player nameSakalaSquad number9Player nameDialloLine-upsDundee UtdFormation 3-5-21Siegrist12Edwards4Mulgrew29Graham2Smith23Harkes18Butcher19Levitt7Niskanen32Watt9McNulty1Siegrist12EdwardsBooked at 31mins4Mulgrew29GrahamBooked at 34mins2Smith23Harkes18ButcherSubstituted forFreemanat 78’minutes19Levitt7Niskanen32WattBooked at 39minsSubstituted forClarkat 85’minutes9McNultySubstitutes10Clark13Eriksson15Akinola17Meekison20Neilson22Freeman26Mochrie52Moore53MacleodRangersFormation 4-2-3-11McGregor2Tavernier6Goldson5Helander3Bassey8Jack4Lundstram37Arfield17Ayodele-Aribo14Kent20Morelos1McGregor2Tavernier6Goldson5HelanderSubstituted forDialloat 73’minutes3Bassey8Jack4Lundstram37ArfieldSubstituted forSakalaat 58’minutes17Ayodele-Aribo14Kent20MorelosBooked at 41minsSubstitutes9Diallo10Davis18Kamara19Sands22Zukowski25Roofe28McCrorie30Sakala31BarisicLive TextMatch ends, Dundee United 1, Rangers 1.Second Half ends, Dundee United 1, Rangers 1.Foul by Ryan Jack (Rangers).Dylan Levitt (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Ryan Edwards.Foul by Fashion Sakala (Rangers).Benjamin Siegrist (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Attempt missed. Ryan Kent (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Fashion Sakala.Attempt missed. Fashion Sakala (Rangers) right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Joe Ayodele-Aribo.Attempt blocked. Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Rangers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Alfredo Morelos.Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Ross Graham.Attempt blocked. James Tavernier (Rangers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Joe Ayodele-Aribo.Attempt blocked. James Tavernier (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Amad Diallo.Attempt blocked. Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Joe Ayodele-Aribo.Substitution, Dundee United. Nicky Clark replaces Tony Watt.Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Charlie Mulgrew.Attempt blocked. Ryan Jack (Rangers) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ryan Kent.Amad Diallo (Rangers) hits the right post with a right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box. Assisted by Ryan Kent.Offside, Rangers. Connor Goldson tries a through ball, but Alfredo Morelos is caught offside.Offside, Rangers. Joe Ayodele-Aribo tries a through ball, but Fashion Sakala is caught offside.