Rangers 2-2 Dundee Utd | 18th Oct 2025 | Match Review

The post-Russell Martin era began in all-too-familiar fashion as Rangers dropped yet more points at Ibrox after a 2–2 draw with Dundee United.

The first half saw a clear improvement from the team as they played with an energy, tempo, and purpose that had all been sorely missing in the recent weeks and months, playing with a verve and freedom that had eluded them under the previous coaching staff. But the same old bad habits crept back in after the restart, and a disjointed second-half display saw the good work of the opening 45 minutes unravel completely. Thelo Aasgaard gave Rangers a deserved lead as they went into the break 1-0 to the good, before a second-half capitulation saw Dundee United turn the game on its head and go 2-1 up. The Tangerines looked on course to claim all three points until a late James Tavernier strike rescued a point for the hosts.

Interim boss Stevie Smith made three changes to the side that faced Falkirk in Russell Martin’s final match in charge. Jayden Meghoma, Thelo Aasgaard, and Oliver Antman came in for Nassr Djiga, Connor Barron, and Mikey Moore.

And Rangers looked sharp early on. James Tavernier went close after 17 minutes with a long-range effort that just cleared the bar, before Aasgaard’s deflected shot a minute later spun narrowly wide. The lively playmaker didn’t have to wait long to get his name on the score sheet, though. With 24 minutes on the clock, he broke the deadlock when his ferocious dipping strike lashed into the top corner.

The Norwegian nearly doubled his tally on the half-hour mark with a fierce effort that forced an excellent save, while Bojan Miovski glanced a header just over soon after. Rangers' three most creative outlets, Djeidi Gassama, Oliver Antman, and Aasgaard, all looked sharp and caused constant problems, with Aasgaard again testing the keeper on 42 minutes with a deflected drive.

Rangers came out for the second half and, instead of building on their lead, slipped back into the slow, insipid play that has been served up all too often this season, as Dundee United gradually got back into the game.

The visitors equalised in the 66th minute through Kristijan Trapanovski with a long-range strike that Jack Butland got a hand to but couldn’t keep out. VAR checked for a possible offside in the build-up, but the goal stood. Dundee United continued to grow in confidence as Rangers struggled to create anything of note, and it was the away side who took the lead on 75 minutes with another fine finish. This time, it was Craig Sibbald who found the net, as the home crowd sat in apathetic silence.

Rangers pushed to get back into the game, with substitute Youssef Chermiti heading just over from close range on 83 minutes, before Tavernier levelled the scoring three minutes later. The captain ran on to a Mikey Moore lay off to coolly sweep the ball home and give the home side hope of going on to claim all three points. They pushed and probed but never truly looked like grabbing a third, and it was Jack Butland who had to be alert to deny Dundee United a late winner. The final whistle sounded to the usual frustrated boos from the home crowd, with the team now having failed to win any of their first four home league matches of the season. The draw leaves Rangers languishing in 6th place, with just one win from their opening eight league games, a dismal return by any standard.

The need for a new manager grows more urgent by the day. The team looks bereft of structure and direction, and with Kevin Muscat expected to finish the league season in China with Shanghai Port before taking charge, the wait for stability may drag on. And while few can blame the Australian for seeing out his title challenge in the Far East, the real frustration should be aimed at the Rangers board, whose mismanagement has defined this chaotic campaign from the start.

Next up for Rangers is an away fixture against Norwegian side SK Brann in the Europa League, another game where a positive result is desperately required. It’s unclear who’ll be in the dugout for the Rangers by the time Thursday rolls around, but one thing is for sure: the team needs to start recording victories. And soon.