Highlights: Dundee Utd 1-1 Rangers

At a glance

  • McInnes era at Rangers starts with draw at Tannadice

  • Rose bundles home from close range to give Dundee United half-time lead

  • Much-improved Rangers equalise after break through lovely Aasgaard strike

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

Listen: McInnes era begins with opening draw at Dundee United

31/07/2026 2300

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Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw at Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership curtain-raiser as the Derek McInnes era got off to an underwhelming start at Tannadice.

Lachlan Rose scored his fourth goal of the season to give the hosts a deserved half-time lead, before Thelo Aasgaard thundered in a superb equaliser on 56 minutes.

Having come within minutes of winning the Premiership title with Heart of Midlothian last season, McInnes moved along the M8 to replace Danny Rohl at Ibrox in June, with Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland and Australia midfielder Cammy Devlin also making the same switch.

However, the new-look Rangers side flattered to deceive in the first half.

After a promising opening, in which a Shankland backheel was well saved by United goalkeeper Jack Walton, the hosts grew into the contest and hit the front with a lovely team goal.

Zac Sapsford stepped over Jesse Randall's cross from the right, allowing Rose to nudge a left-footed finish into the bottom corner beyond debutant Rangers goalkeeper Ivor Pandur.

The visitors were much improved after the break, with McInnes bringing on Dan Neil and Youssef Chermiti at the break, and after a couple of sharp saves from Walton, Aasgaard stepped up with a moment of real quality.

The Norway midfielder's first touch created the space that allowed him to lash a powerful left-footed strike beyond Walton's despairing dive.

Both teams had chances as the game became increasingly stretched, but it was United who passed up the most glaring opportunity to take the three points.

New Zealand winger Randall inexplicably dinked his shot straight at Pandur after a delightful pass from Daniel Bennie played him through on goal and in the end, both teams had to settle for a point.

Work to do for new-look Rangers & positive signs for United - analysis

Thelo Aasgaard goalSNS

Thelo Aasgaard's superb strike earned Rangers a point

In a summer of transition at Rangers, it is clear they still need further additions if they are to challenge for the title this term.

It has been widely reported they are still in the market for at least one winger and Djeidi Gassama did little to cement his place in the starting team in a wasteful first-half display that resulted in him being hooked off.

McInnes' half-time changes did have an impact - Chermiti was more direct than Ryan Naderi up front and offered a threat in behind, while Neil wanted to get on the ball in the middle of the park.

Aasgaard's goal was a rare moment of quality, but from there, Rangers failed to kick on.

Shankland was left furious with Chermiti when the Portuguese striker went for goal instead of feeding his new team-mate and that frustration summed up the evening for the Ibrox outfit.

Before starting the new league season, United boss Jim Goodwin spoke about wanting fewer draws as he targets a top-six finish, but he will be pleased with how competitive his team were after an up-and-down League Cup campaign.

They were solid in defence, hard-working throughout and posed a threat in transition.

Their antipodean front three linked up well for the goal, but they too will look back on this game with annoyance.

Randall had plenty of time to pick his spot, but went for the flashy finish instead of picking a corner.

There is also a slight injury concern for goalscorer Rose, who was pictured with his upper leg heavily strapped after being substituted.

What the managers said

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "I'm obviously very pleased with the overall performance. I thought the first half was excellent, I thought we were the better team.

"Rangers make changes at half-time and put us on the back foot for the opening 10 or 15 minutes of the second 45, but I think on the balance of play, when you break down all the different metrics, a draw is probably fair.

"But I can't get away from the fact that we miss that glorious chance at the end where Jesse Randall is through one-on-one and you're thinking that's the moment.

"He's apologised to the group, but I can't be over critical of the player; I think he's had a terrific game. He's a really, really talented young prospect. His overall performance was excellent, and I'm sure he'll be thinking about it into the small hours.

"We're not getting carried away, it's only a point, and we wanted all three, but to get that point on the board is important."

Rangers manager Derek McInnes: "We worked hard to get back into it but I don't think we were good enough to win the game.

"I thought the point was the right scoreline and we're disappointed with that.

"First half, we wasted a lot, we didn't create too much, and it was a bit too frantic.

"We never really connected the game well enough or looked after the ball well enough, and we lost a poor goal from our point of view."

What's next?

Dundee United are away to Hearts on Sunday, 9 August (15:00 BST), while Rangers travel to Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok for the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie on Thursday (17:00).