The Scottish Premiership season began with a 1-1 draw between Dundee United and Rangers at Tannadice. This match marked the competitive debut for Derek McInnes as Rangers manager. Lachlan Rose scored for the home side, while Thelo Aasgaard netted the equaliser for Rangers.
Dundee United took the lead in the first half with a goal from Lachlan Rose, his fourth of the season. The goal came after Jesse Randall’s cross from the right was stepped over by Zac Sapsford, allowing Rose to score with a left-footed finish past Rangers’ debutant goalkeeper Ivor Pandur.
Rangers, under new manager Derek McInnes, made several changes at half-time, bringing on Dan Neil and Youssef Chermiti. The visitors showed improvement after the break, and Thelo Aasgaard scored a powerful left-footed equaliser in the 56th minute. His first touch created the space needed to strike the ball beyond United goalkeeper Jack Walton.
New Era for Rangers
Derek McInnes took charge of Rangers in June, moving from Heart of Midlothian. He replaced Danny Rohl at Ibrox. Several new signings also joined the club, including Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland and Australia midfielder Cammy Devlin, who also made the switch from Heart of Midlothian.
For the opening match at Tannadice, McInnes named a starting line-up that included four of the eight new signings. Ivor Pandur started in goal, with a back four consisting of Dujon Sterling, Ben Godfrey, Emmanuel Fernandez, and Tuur Rommens. Cammy Devlin made his debut in midfield alongside Mohamed Diomande, while Thelo Aasgaard played in an advanced role. Djeidi Gassama, Ryan Naderi, and Lawrence Shankland completed the attacking line-up.
The bench for Rangers included Liam Kelly, Ross McCrorie, Olwethu Makhanya, Dan Neil, Vanja Dragojevic, Tochi Chukwuani, Findlay Curtis, Youssef Chermiti, and Bojan Miovski. Supporters outside the UK were able to watch the match live on RangersTV, with kick-off in Tayside scheduled for 8pm.
Missed Opportunities and Team Form
Both teams created chances as the game progressed, but Dundee United had a significant opportunity to secure all three points late in the match. New Zealand winger Jesse Randall received a pass from Daniel Bennie, putting him through on goal, but his shot was directed straight at Rangers goalkeeper Ivor Pandur. Ultimately, both teams settled for a point from the encounter.
Dundee United entered the season having finished seventh in the Scottish Premiership last season, while Rangers finished third. The home side has been active in the transfer market, bringing in nine players. Jesse Randall, a summer arrival, made his Scottish Premiership debut in this match. Dundee United were without Miller Thomson due to an ankle issue.
Rangers were without Nicolas Raskin, who was with Belgium for World Cup exploits, and Vanja Dragojevic was unlikely to be available due to visa issues. Thelo Aasgaard featured despite a shoulder knock sustained in a pre-season match against West Ham. Dundee United has a strong home record, being unbeaten in their last 10 matches at Tannadice, including 7 wins and 3 draws. They also won both of their home Scottish League Cup assignments against Arbroath and Spartans, extending their unbeaten home run.
The previous meeting between Dundee United and Rangers at Tannadice in December 2025 ended in a 2-2 draw. Two of the last three encounters between these teams have also finished with a 2-2 scoreline. The match on July 31, 2026, concluded with a 1-1 draw.
Source: bbc.com
Adam Rutherford is a Senior Football Correspondent at News-UK. He spent his early career filing match reports across the North West. He focuses on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Manchester Metropolitan University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Manchester, he coaches a youth team and watches grassroots football. “Every transfer window hides a dozen real stories.”
