Rangers will be looking to bounce back from their midweek defeat in Europe with a victory in the Scottish Premiership when they travel to Dundee United on Saturday.

The Gers have conceded in four of their last five away matches across all competitions, failing to win on four occasions, while the hosts have scored seven goals in their opening two competitive home games of the new campaign, both of which were in the League Cup.

Match preview

© Reuters

Steven Gerrard's hopes of guiding Rangers to the Champions League group stages for the first time in over a decade were dealt a huge blow, as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Malmo in the first leg of their third-round qualifier on Tuesday.

After a goalless first half, the Swedish champions came out of the blocks quickly, scoring twice within the first four minutes of the restart. The Gers pushed to score at least one of their own and they eventually did in the 95th minute, when Steven Davis fired in from outside the area to halve the deficit.

That strike from the Northern Irishman has handed Gerrard's side a lifeline, though with the away goals rule now scrapped from European competitions, the Gers will need to score at least twice if they are to win the tie in 90 minutes.

Rangers now turn their attention back to the Scottish Premiership, where they secured a comfortable opening day victory against Livingston last weekend, with strikes from Ianis Hagi, Scott Wright and Kemar Roofe earning the champions a 3-0 win at Ibrox.

Their first away trip of the new domestic campaign sees them travel to Tannadice for just the sixth time in the last decade, with two of their last three such visits ending in defeat. The Gers did, however, win their most recent outing, claiming a narrow 2-1 victory in December of last season.

Including results from the backend of last season, Rangers have only won one of their last five away matches across all competitions, however Gerrard will be hoping to get back to winning ways quickly on Saturday, as his side, not only look to defend their league title, but also aim to build their confidence back up ahead of a crucial second-leg tie in Europe next week.

© Reuters

Tam Courts suffered defeat in his first league game in charge of Dundee United, who were beaten 2-0 away at Aberdeen last weekend.

Goals either side of half time from Jonny Hayes and Christian Ramirez ensured the Dons came away with all three points, while the Tangerines failed to win on the opening day of a Premiership campaign for the third time in a row.

Following a ninth-place finish last season, Micky Mellon decided to step down after just one year in charge, with Courts now taking the reins and he will be aiming to guide United into the top six for the first time since 2014-15.

Dundee United claimed 10 victories last season, but only two of them were against sides that finished inside the top six. Their next two fixtures are against teams from last year's top half, with champions Rangers up first; a side that scored 10 goals against them in three encounters last term.

Courts will stress the importance of displaying a strong performance on Saturday, though claiming any points against the Gers will be seen as a bonus for the Tangerines.

Team News

© Reuters

Dundee United will still be without Mark Connolly and Declan Glass as they continue to recover from long-term knee injuries.

Defender Charlie Mulgrew is set to make his second home debut, after re-joining the club on a free transfer this summer, returning to Tannadice 15 years after his first spell on loan.

The 35-year-old is likely to be joined by Ryan Edwards and Mark Reynolds in a three-man defence, with Jamie Robson and Liam Smith – who scored a brilliant volley in this fixture last season – to operate as wing-backs.

Forward Lawrence Shankland, who has already found the net three times in four League Cup matches, is set to lead the line alongside Nicky Clark.

As for Rangers, striker Alfredo Morelos has been seen doing laps of a carpark at Glasgow Airport while he completes his spell in quarantine following his return from Colombia.

The 25-year-old will not be available for this weekend's game but could be back in action for their crucial second-leg tie in the Champions League qualifiers. As a result, either Cedric Itten or Fashion Sakala is set to start as the central striker at Tannadice.

Hagi was an unused substitute against Malmo after pulling up in the warm-up, but the Romanian could be available for selection on Saturday, as could midfielder Joe Aribo who missed out entirely in midweek.

Roofe and Glen Kamara were also absent as the duo were serving the first of their respective four and three-game European suspensions, though both players are set to be named in the matchday squad this weekend.

Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Siegrest; Reynolds, Edwards, Mulgrew; Smith, Harkes, Butcher, Robson; Pawlett; Clark, Shankland

Rangers possible starting lineup:
McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Helander, Barisic; Lundstram, Davis, Aribo; Hagi, Sakala, Kent

We say: Dundee United 0-2 Rangers

Dundee United managed to score in two of their three fixtures against Rangers last season, but we feel that they may struggle to find the net this time around.

The Gers will been keen to put their midweek defeat in Europe behind them and with the potential return of a few key players, Gerrard is set to field a strong side that should have no problems in claiming all three points on Saturday.

Written by
Oliver Thomas

Previews by email