Thelo Aasgaard earned Derek McInnes his first point as Rangers manager as they fought back for a 1-1 draw against Dundee United.
Lachlan Rose struck the first goal of the Premiership season to give United a half-time lead at Tannadice.
Rangers lacked control in possession in the opening period but they looked more threatening after the break and Aasgaard finished brilliantly in the 56th minute. They could not build on the equaliser, though, as United soon stemmed the tide of pressure.
Jesse Randall should have won the game for the home side with eight minutes left when substitute Daniel Bennie’s swerving pass put the New Zealand international clean through on goal. However, the winger totally lacked conviction as he dinked a shot straight into goalkeeper Ivor Pandur’s hands.
McInnes named Youssef Chermiti on the bench in his first team selection with Ryan Naderi handed a role on the right of Rangers’ attack, and Pandur, Ben Godfrey, Cammy Devlin and Lawrence Shankland making their debuts.
There were only two Scots in the two starting lineups but both led their teams, former Falkirk midfielder Dylan Tait wearing the armband for United and Shankland the new Rangers captain.
The former Hearts striker was the first to threaten with a flick that drew a reaction stop from Jack Walton, but the home goalkeeper’s only other first-half save came from a Naderi header which looked like it was slightly off target. Rose and Zac Sapsford got in behind for the home side but could not get shots on target and the Rangers defence was busy on other occasions as United worked the ball into the box.
Dujon Sterling and Mohamed Diomande were off target from outside the box for Rangers, before the hosts made the breakthrough in the 38th minute. Rangers centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez was out of position as Sapsford dummied Randall’s low cross and Rose watched in delight as his left-foot effort spun off the post and over the line.
Chermiti and Dan Neil came on for Naderi and Djeidi Gassama as McInnes tried to affect the game at half-time and his side immediately looked more threatening.
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Bellingham watches Birmingham beat Barça in friendly
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Jude Bellingham returned to St Andrew’s as a spectator to see Birmingham City beat Barcelona on penalties in a pre-season friendly. The England and Real Madrid midfielder (pictured) emerged from Birmingham’s academy, making his first-team debut at 16 years old before joining Borussia Dortmund in 2020.
August Priske put Birmingham ahead in the 31st minute, but teenage Barça striker Hamza Abdelkarim levelled from the penalty spot before half-time. Abdelkarim struck again on the hour, reacting fastest after Roony Bardghji’s shot was saved. Jhon Solis responded for the hosts, volleying home in the 68th minute.
The game ended 2-2 after 90 minutes, with Birmingham keeper James Beadle saving twice and 17-year-old Barcelona defender Jordi hitting the crossbar. The shootout ended 3-2 to Birmingham as the hosts enjoyed a memorable victory over an admittedly inexperienced Barcelona line-up. Guardian sport
Aasgaard forced an excellent diving save from Walton before the Norway international levelled moments later. Shankland’s physical presence caused problems as United were made to defend another high ball and Aasgaard took an excellent touch to take out Joshua Rawlins before firing a left-foot strike into the top corner from 16 yards.
Rangers could not keep up the momentum, and Randall squandered a glorious chance to mark his league debut with a famous winner. Chermiti almost made the home side pay but Walton stopped the striker’s effort with his feet before home substitute Idjessi Metsoko delivered a weak effort straight at Pandur from a decent opportunity.