Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw by Dundee United in Derek McInnes’ first game in charge of the Ibrox club, with the Light Blues failing to win on the opening day for the third year in a row
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
What was meant to mark a fresh chapter for Rangers under Derek McInnes, complete with a raft of new arrivals, instead delivered a all-too-familiar feeling of déjà vu for the weary Ibrox faithful.
Having not tasted victory on the opening weekend since 2022, the Rangers supporters travelled north on the A9 desperate to witness a reversal in fortune at long last.
Yet McInnes’ side appeared plagued by the very same problems that undermined Danny Rohl’s squad throughout last season.
Lacking composure in crucial defensive moments and bereft of creativity in attack when faced with United’s backline, reports the Daily Record.
Thelo Aasgaard did build on his promising pre-season displays by equalising after Lachlan Rose had given Jim Goodwin’s side the lead.
McInnes will stress there’s still plenty of time ahead as he attempts to guide Rangers back to the championship-winning glory he savoured as a player.
However, recent evidence suggests that when the Gers fall behind early, they rarely recover the deficit.
The ex-Hearts manager has been active in overhauling his squad with eight fresh signings, though only Ivor Pandur, Ben Godfrey, Cammy Devlin and new captain Lawrence Shankland were selected to begin the season opener.
Goodwin went a step further by fielding five debutants, handing starts to Joshua Rawlins, Michael Forbes, Dylan Tait, Jesse Randall and Rose.
Having already contested four competitive Premier Sports Cup fixtures, it came as little shock to see the home side emerge looking like the more organised outfit. Ryan Naderi – a surprise starter ahead of Youssef Chermiti – went close for Gers with a header.
However, it was United who were applying the pressure and they struck first, seven minutes before the interval.
Josh Rawlins played the ball out wide to Jesse Randall. With Godfrey falling for Zac Sapsford’s dummy and letting the cross go, Rangers found themselves in difficulty.
Rose had little idea about it as the ball deflected off his shins and into the bottom corner, yet he celebrated as though he had meant every bit of it.
McInnes made changes at half-time, bringing on both Chermiti and Dan Neil.
The substitutions helped lift Gers’ tempo, with Aasgaard testing Walton with an impressive long-range effort.
He was thwarted on that occasion but found the net with his next attempt on 56 minutes.
Under pressure from Shankland, Michael Fobes inadvertently headed the ball directly into the Norwegian’s path and, with remarkable composure, he shifted past Rawlins with his right foot before firing home the equaliser with his left.
United could have reclaimed the lead with 10 minutes remaining, but Randall squandered his chance to chip Pandur after being played clean through by Daniel Bennie’s superb pass.
Del back with a whimper
This was the evening McInnes had been anticipating.
It has been 28 years since he was compelled to leave the club he grew up supporting.
His previous visit to Tannadice representing Gers was the night Walter Smith’s side completed their nine-in-a-row achievement. Yet the challenge of reconstructing this Rangers squad could prove even more daunting than the achievement pulled off by his former boss.
McInnes was present on the sidelines after successfully appealing a three-match suspension stemming from his previous role as Hearts manager.
From his vantage point, however, it became apparent that significant work remains if this team is to mount a serious title challenge.
With a month remaining in the transfer window, Rangers urgently need to bolster their attacking options.
Ropey Ryan
The Ibrox support had spent the entire summer eagerly anticipating watching Shankland and Chermiti tear through the Premiership.
However, many of the away fans were left stunned upon reaching Tayside to learn that Naderi would be leading the line instead of the Portuguese striker.
Naderi had shown little during Rangers’ two pre-season friendlies to justify his selection, though McInnes maintained he was being rewarded for his performances on the training ground.
His gamble nearly paid dividends when the £5m signing from Hansa Rostock threatened with a header before the interval.
However, that proved his sole contribution during a woeful opening 45 minutes.
His withdrawal at half-time came as little shock, with Chermiti introduced for the second half.
Rangers’ spine creeks again.
Gers’ vulnerability through the middle was laid bare last season when they crumbled as the Premiership campaign reached its climax. McInnes has prioritised strengthening his squad’s defensive core this summer, despite some supporters wanting him to concentrate on bringing in attacking creativity instead.
However, until those offensive additions arrive, the Rangers backline will remain under sustained pressure.
This became evident throughout the match as they consistently found themselves pushed back whenever United regained possession.
McInnes will undoubtedly be frustrated by the lacklustre defending that allowed Rose’s opening goal, with both Aasgaard and Fernandez showing weakness in challenges during the build-up, while the towering defender was too slow getting back to prevent the cross.
Thelo takes his chance.
Naderi wasn’t alone amongst last season’s squad players given a chance by McInnes on the opening evening.
Yet only Aasgaard can truly say he grasped his moment.
The Norwegian’s belief has evidently grown following his World Cup experience, demonstrated by his spectacular turn and finish that brought Rangers level.
Djedi Gassama ought to have felt encouraged after being selected in the starting XI, but once more the Frenchman’s choices proved questionable and he didn’t emerge after the interval.
Mohamed Diomande was an unexpected starter ahead of former Sunderland captain Dan Neil, though he was frequently overwhelmed by United’s industrious midfielders.
Fair Dinkum, Dundee United.
Zac Sapsford served as Goodwin’s loan Antipodean ace last season. However, he has been joined by fellow countrymen Bennie, Rose and Rawlins, alongside New Zealander Randall this term.
The goal had antipodean origins, with Rawlins, Randall and Sapsford all contributing before Rose bundled the ball across the line.
United arrived aiming to protect a seven-match undefeated home record dating back to last campaign, and it was straightforward to understand why Tannadice has proved such an intimidating venue.
Dundee United boss Goodwin has got this side fighting for everything and they will certainly be no push-overs this term.
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