Rangers’ search for a first home league win of the season goes on after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Dundee United at Ibrox.
Despite leading at half-time through a superb Thelo Aasgaard strike, the home side were stunned by a spirited United comeback in the second half.
Substitute Kristijan Trapanovski levelled the match with his first touch before Craig Sibbald fired the visitors in front with a powerful finish, sending the away supporters into wild celebrations.
Just when Dundee United looked set for a first win in Govan since 2011, Rangers captain James Tavernier struck late with a fierce effort to rescue a point for interim boss Steven Smith.
The draw was a fair reflection of a match that swung sharply in momentum — Rangers dominant before the break, United the better side afterward.
Goalkeeper Jack Butland denied Trapanovski a potential winner with a fine save late on, while United substitute Pantuche Camara narrowly missed with a shot in stoppage time as the game ended level.
Rangers once again struggled to produce a complete performance.
The first half showed flashes of confidence and quality, with Aasgaard’s curling opener highlighting the team’s attacking potential.
But after the break, defensive lapses and a lack of composure allowed United to take control.
Interim boss Smith’s side look more expressive going forward but remain fragile at the back — a problem that has haunted Rangers all season.
For Jim Goodwin’s men, this was a performance full of spirit and determination.
Goalkeeper Yevhen Kucherenko’s key first-half saves kept them in the contest before United’s tactical tweaks paid off.
They may have narrowly missed out on a famous win, but the comeback and overall performance will give Dundee United confidence as they continue their solid start to the campaign.
Rangers interim head coach Steven Smith told BBC Scotland: "I think I understand the reasons why [the game changed]. Dundee United changed their aggression, started winning second balls, gained territory.
"That changed the game and we didn't change with it, which is disappointing. We managed to get an equaliser, so I'll give them a wee bit of credit for that.
"But we need to recognise in those moments when it gets tough, you need to have killed the game off or match the level of aggression [from the opposition] to go again."
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "Rangers were by far the better team in first 45, we were second best all over the park. We looked as if we were half a yard off it.
"Second half we carried [the game plan] out a lot better. We have built a really strong, competitive squad.
"Unfortunate thing is we haven't had the whole group available. We're starting to get numbers back and there's real competition.
"We need to make sure we start games like we did in the second half. That's three games in a row where we've been poor in the first half but really good in the second. We can't let first halves pass us by."
