There’s an old cliche about just needing to win in football sometimes and Rangers would’ve felt that come the final whistle against Dundee United.
In a match which started so brightly for Clement’s new-look Gers side, come the final few moments at Tannadice there were few Ibrox fans across the planet who wouldn’t have been chewing their fingernails.
On a positive afternoon in Scotland’s northeast, Rangers ran out 1-0 winners courtesy of a first-half winner from Player of the Match Tom Lawrence.
But it doesn’t tell the whole story as an afternoon which offered real promise with regards this new-look Rangers team wound up raising the heartbeats of the collective Rangers support.
Here’s our player ratings from the match as Rangers got back to winning ways in the Scottish Premiership after an uncertain and complicated end to the summer.
Rangers player ratings v Dundee United
Jack Butland – 6
Rangers number one Jack Butland would’ve had his heart in his mouth when he passed the ball directly to the opposition before Craig Sibbald struggled to get control of the ball.
The Rangers goalkeeper had been largely untested until this point, with that nervous moment threatening to heap the scrutiny on the stopper after a disappointing start to the season.
Although Dundee United huffed and puffed they struggled to truly test the Rangers goalkeeper, who was reactive to any second balls in the area and put in a commanding display with regards cross balls.
James Tavernier – 7
Rangers captain James Tavernier was the subject of abuse following the Old Firm defeat to Celtic but was given a show of support by Philippe Clement in this game.
There is no doubt the Rangers skipper isn’t quite the 90-minute tour-de-force down the right that he used to be but he continues to be an influential driving force for the Ibrox side.
In the opening 20 minutes, the Tavernier was heavily involved in what was a dominant first-half display and put together a solid performance showing strong link-up play whilst routinely arriving late into the box.
Still a crucial player at Ibrox.
John Souttar – 8
The Scotland international centre-back showed Steve Clarke what he’s missing with yet another influential display at the heart of the Rangers defence.
Under Philippe Clement, John Souttar has grown into the role of the Ibrox side’s first-choice defender and continues to impress this season.
A physical presence who is strong in the air and commanding on the ball, Souttar’s committed performance was summed by a wonderfully timed second half challenge as Dundee United broke forward.
An increasingly dependable option who is improving by the game
Robin Pröpper – 6
A score of six might seem a little unfair on Robin Pröpper, but the Dutchman still has moments of nervousness of his game as he adjusts to life at Rangers.
The former FC Twente captain, Pröpper is comfortable on the ball and certainly looks to be a shrewd addition but he was lucky not to surrender a goal in the second half with a poor pass out of defence.
There were other times when the centre-back broke those lines and found offensive players, with the Dutchman finding Hamza Igamane with a fine pass in the second half.
Solid player who is still finding his feet.
Jefte – 7
Jefte’s adaptation to life at Rangers has been so fluid that it’s easy to forget the Brazilian is only 20-years-old.
But the left-back is an athletic, relentless presence down the left who is not shy with digging in and who shows huge promise as an offensive option with his crossing.
It’s fair to say Jefte’s crossing was mixed as the play focused down the Rangers left in the first half but the Brazilian was routinely in a position to make a difference in the final third.
Looks a good signing and already gets it.
Mohamed Diomande – 8
The role of Mohamed Diomande is crucial to how Rangers play and whilst the midfielder is a player of immense technical quality, he is also the side’s heartbeat.
Always available to his teammates, Diomande is also a fighter and midfield technician who can create and do that special something which separates him from the rest.
Asked to do the dirty work at times, Diomand always rolls his sleeves up and once again covered every blade of grass as Rangers’ midfield dominance forced the Arabs into a first-half change.
Eventually subbed in the second half after another exhaustive display.
Connor Barron – 7
Diomande’s partner in the middle of the Rangers midfield, Connor Barron is another who looks like a shrewd addition this summer.
An energetic presence who hassles opposition players, it’s also refreshing to see someone at Rangers always look to play the forward pass.
Has brought an urgency to the Rangers midfield which had been long missing under the club’s previous options.
Already one of the first names on the Rangers teamsheet, Philippe Clement is reaping the rewards of his early faith in the midfielder.
Tom Lawrence – 9
Heading into Rangers’ trip to Dundee United, all the talk was about the club’s new ‘number ten’ in Nedim Bajrami.
But it was the first-choice Rangers option in this position who stole the show at Tannadice.
Rangers beat off Premier League opposition to sign Tom Lawrence in 2022 but the first two years of his Ibrox career were dominated by injuries.
Against Dundee United, Lawrence was instrumental in building and linking attacks whilst the playmaker was imposing in the tackle and mature on the ball as the game wore on in the second half.
Was rewarded for his endeavour with an industrious first goal that also highlighted his quality as Lawrence dinked a cool chipped finish over the keeper.
Could’ve easily had a four or five goals with the midfielder having other openings in the first half, where a shot was blocked by Cyriel Dessers, and the second half, where Lawrence twice fired over the bar.
It didn’t always come off this afternoon, but if Tom Lawrence can find this form every week for Rangers then we might finally reap the rewards of signing the Welshman.
Kieran Dowell – 6
Asked to play after Vaclav Cerny succumbed to illness over the weekend, Kieran Dowell was a surprise inclusion as Rangers overcame Dundee United.
Signed last summer, Dowell has been used sparingly by Clement and was asked to do a different role out wide for Rangers against Dundee United.
Put in a solid if not uninspiring display where Dowell showed good link up in the first half and did a job as Dundee United opened up in the second.
Will need to show more star quality if he is to keep a place in the Rangers starting XI.
Oscar Cortes – 7
Given Oscar Cortes is just returning from injury, perhaps Rangers fans should be tempering expectations.
But in the opening period of the game, the young Colombian was probably the best player on the pitch.
A real cause for concern for a Dundee United defence that struggled to contain him, it was a mixed afternoon for Cortes who was also wasteful on the ball at times, either giving it away too cheaply or trying to shoot when perhaps he should’ve crossed.
Hooked at half-time as he continues to rebuild his fitness, Rangers have a talent in the Colombian winger and we were impressed in moments by his display v the Arabs.
Cyriel Dessers – 6
It’s a hard-knock life for Cyriel Dessers but the big striker gets marked down for hesistating with a gilt-edged chance at the end of the first half.
Rangers were far and away the better side in the first 45 and probably deserved more than the 1-0 lead from Lawrence’s strike.
Dessers had been instrumental in the goal and – in spite of criticism in this regard – showed superb link-up play throughout and used his body well to create space in the final third.
This was certainly more promising but when Dessers did get his chance, the striker just hesitated before pulling the trigger allowing the Dundee United keeper to save a tight one-on-one.
Given that heartbeats are just returning to normal, Rangers could’ve used that second goal to help kill United’s resolve.
Substitutions:
Nedim Bajrami – 6
The man of the moment heading into the game, Bajrami showed some very neat touches and link up play after coming on for Oscar Cortes at half-time.
But playing on the left-hand side of the attack, the Albanian has been clear that his primary position is behind the striker in the ‘number ten’ role.
Promising start given the three points but the best is very much still to come.
Dujon Sterling – 5
Came on to replace Kieran Dowell and – as is form for the Rangers utility man – was asked to play in a different position.
Finishing the game on the right-wing, Sterling was probably brought on to help combat Dundee United’s attack and Dujon did just that but he perhaps blunted the Rangers attack in the final stages.
Hamza Igamane – 7
Rangers manager Philippe Clement has tipped Hamza Igamane to be a big player for Rangers in the seasons ahead.
And the young Moroccan showed why with a bright cameo at Tannadice.
Looks a genuine talent who plays with attacking impetus, Igamane’s cameo was summed up with a bright touch, turn and pass which should’ve seen Tom Lawrence add to the scoreline.
Nico Raskin – 5
Still returning from injury, Raskin replaced Diomande and provided energy in the midfield as Rangers saw out the result.
Rangers fans are yet to see the best of the Belgian, whose 18 months in Glasgow have been badly limited by injury.
