Ibrox Stadium
Subs: Clark, Hutton, Faure, Gallacher, Crawford, Cribari, Gallagher
Booked: Black
Subs Used: Clark
Starting XI (Dundee United): Cierzniak, Wilson, Robertson, Souttar, Rankin, Paton, Ciftci, Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Gauld and Gunning
Subs: Dillon, Dow, Gomis, Watson, El Alagui, Graham and McCallum
Booked: Wilson, Armstrong and Gunning
Subs Used: Dow, Gomis and Watson
Photo; Dundee United top, Rangers top and programme from the day
My Man of the Match: Paul Paton
Photo; Rangers display
While kick off was approaching both teams had put together a display for the players to enter the pitch, to be fair Rangers put on a wonderful display while United did the best they could with fans still waiting to get in.
Both teams came into the game off the back of a defeat. However, Rangers were the team that started off the strongest. Aird, Daly and Shiels all had really good early chances for Rangers. Robertson was the only chance that was taken by United within the first 20 minutes of the game.
The first real chance for United fell to Stuart Armstrong in the 23rd minute. His right footed shot fell right in front of him and managed to slip it past Simonsen in the Rangers goal. This gave United the early lead in this Semi Final.
For the next 15 or so minutes, the early goal from United gave them the boost of confidence that they needed. It still wasn't the type of football that you would expect from a top flight club. In fact Rangers were the ones who were playing better football throughout the first half.
Both teams came into the game off the back of a defeat. However, Rangers were the team that started off the strongest. Aird, Daly and Shiels all had really good early chances for Rangers. Robertson was the only chance that was taken by United within the first 20 minutes of the game.
The first real chance for United fell to Stuart Armstrong in the 23rd minute. His right footed shot fell right in front of him and managed to slip it past Simonsen in the Rangers goal. This gave United the early lead in this Semi Final.
For the next 15 or so minutes, the early goal from United gave them the boost of confidence that they needed. It still wasn't the type of football that you would expect from a top flight club. In fact Rangers were the ones who were playing better football throughout the first half.
Photo; team celebrations
Gary Mackay-Steven was the man who doubled United's lead in the 35th minute, a left footed shot in the centre of the box placed it in the bottom right hand corner. Although United had the two goal advantage, they weren't the best team on the pitch.
Rangers were looking to get back into the game. They managed to do this with 4 minutes to go in the first half. A free kick from Steven Smith, allowed Rangers to gain a goal back as they went into the break.
The first half ended with Dundee United having the two to one goal advantage.
Half Time Rangers 1 - 2 Dundee United
First half round up:
Rangers were by far the better team on the park in my opinion. For a top flight team Dundee United might have the lead but they weren't playing the way that they should be for the League that they are in. Other than the goal advantage it ended a pretty even half with the chances on goal, with maybe even Rangers having the better chances than Dundee United did in the half.
First half round up:
Rangers were by far the better team on the park in my opinion. For a top flight team Dundee United might have the lead but they weren't playing the way that they should be for the League that they are in. Other than the goal advantage it ended a pretty even half with the chances on goal, with maybe even Rangers having the better chances than Dundee United did in the half.
Photo; captains leading out the team
The second half began with Rangers wanting to get the equaliser and for United to keep a hold of their lead and possibly extend it.
It was all about United for the first 5 minutes of the second have when they were dominating possession. A Dean Shiels won free kick allowed Rangers to re-group and try and get back into the game. Smith and Gauld both had chances on goal during the early stages of the second period.
Rangers began to get back into the game up until the 70 minute mark with chances and shots coming from Peralta and Law. This was worrying United as they were loosing the majority of the possession.
After the 70 minute mark past United finally got back into the game. For the next 10 minutes the game would be pretty even.
Photo; Ciftci celebrating post match
A mistake by Simonsen, allowed Nadir Ciftci to dribble the ball past Simonsen and into the back of the net. Securing the place for United in the 83 minute.
Both teams did all they could to try and get goals and possession. However after 94 minutes played, Dundee United are the team that progress into the Scottish Cup Final.
Full Time Rangers 1 - 3 Dundee United
My man of the match was Paul Paton as he never stopped pressuring the Rangers defence and managed to keep the midfielders and strikers at bay. Overall he had a fantastic performance on his own. In my opinion, I think he is an asset to the team and works fantastically with Rankin in the sitting midfield roll. This allows Robertson in the defence to push up while knowing his roll can be covered while he is getting back into position.
Photo; Dundee United crowd
Attendance: 41,059
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