An Antonio Colak brace secured a 2-1 win for Rangers against Dundee United.
Liam Smith found the net for the visitors, putting the clinical finishing touch to a sweeping team move involving Sadat Anaku, Tony Watt and Jamie McGrath.
Anaku, Aziz Behich and Glenn Middleton all threatened during a fine display from the visitors — albeit an ultimately fruitless one.
And Courier Sport was at Ibrox Stadium to analyse the major talking points, on and off the pitch.
Liam Fox does job chances no harm
It was understood that the result at Ibrox would have no bearing on who is appointed United head coach on a permanent basis.
Four interviews will take place in the early part of next week — believed to be Fox, Kevin Thomson, Dean Holden and one unknown candidate — and the decision will be based on that, rather than the interim’s efforts in Govan.
Yet it would be foolish to think that Fox has not impressed.
United’s shape and game-plan were effective, the performances within that were diligent and, barring a couple of daft errors, the Tangerines could have easily claimed a point.
His status as the firm favourite remains unaltered.
Magic McGrath
This was the Jamie McGrath United hoped to see when he arrived on loan from Wigan Athletic during the summer; the Jamie McGrath who provided 27 goal contributions in 79 appearances for St Mirren.
The Ireland internationalist has endured a sluggish start to his Dundee United career but this was a welcome return to form.
McGrath turned in a showing of tenacity and creativity in the heart of the United midfield at Ibrox.
He claimed his first domestic assist for the Tangerines — he also teed up Middleton’s winner in the 1-0 triumph over AZ Alkmaar, what feels like a lifetime ago — with a perfectly weighted pass for Smith.
McGrath also won 15 duels, embarked on five dribbles and created four chances — all of which were more than ANY other player not he pitch. His 64 touches were the most of any United player.
Hugely heartening signs ahead of a crucial run of games following the international hiatus.
Sadat Anaku impact
United look to have unearthed a mighty promising prospect.
Anaku’s 35-minute cameo at Ibrox was fearless, lively and effective — and almost inspired a sensational comeback.
He sparked Smith’s goal which halved arrears at Ibrox, skipping past Leon King, exchanging passes with Watt, before finding McGrath to tee up the wing-back; bold and inventive.
🎂A birthday double for Antonio Colak as Rangers get back to winning ways.
Watch the highlights of the game against Dundee Utd⬇️ pic.twitter.com/qC07fOFZkR
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) September 17, 2022
The 21-year-old now travels to Benghazi with the Uganda national team, where he is likely to make his senior debut during upcoming games against Libya and Tanzania — another feather in his cap.
And United fans have every cause to be excited by his potential impact when he returns.
The minute’s silence
Anyone who believed a minute’s silence at Ibrox would pass without any form of disturbance was naïve in the extreme.
For many, the death of Queen Elizabeth II is inextricably linked to the institution she represented; an opportunity to make a wider point.
In 2022, support for the monarchy is anything but universal.
Some see it as an archaic concept; some cite allegations against Prince Andrew; some simply resent being pitched into a period of all-encompassing mourning which has seemingly relegated the cost of living crisis to an afterthought.
A smattering of jeers was to be expected. There would have been some wailing and gnashing of teeth but, ultimately, everyone would have moved on swiftly.
However, the chant of ‘Lizzie’s in a box’ was unnecessarily crass. It wasn’t making a point about the monarchy or providing an arch act of rebellion. It was mocking the death of one 96-year-old woman. Regardless of privilege or status, there is an element of basic decency lacking in that.
It should be noted that, while the booing was more widespread, the number of supporters who sung that was far smaller; a minority.
United fans, meanwhile, will take umbrage at being preached to by Rangers supporters — a fanbase whose own songbook is hardly lacking in pointed political discourse.
There were also accusations from some travelling Tangerines that bottles were lobbed towards the away section.
All told, an unedifying spectacle.
Home hat-trick
Ultimately, United left Glasgow with no points.
They remain winless in the league and are two points adrift of Kilmarnock in 11th and a further one point behind the guaranteed safety of 10th.
For all there were ample signs of progress against Rangers, those MUST be transformed into victories after the international break.
The Terrors could barely have a more inviting fixture list, with three successive games at Tannadice — St Johnstone, Aberdeen and Hibs. A trip to Ross County follows, before the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against Kilmarnock on October 18.
By the time the full-time whistle blows at Rugby Park, supporters will have a better idea whether a joyless battle against relegation is on the cards; or a gutsy rise up the league and a visit to Hampden.
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