Dundee United 2 - 1 Rangers

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Dundee United 2 - 1 Rangers

D: Kenneth (77), Mair (82). R: Adam (50).

Attendence: 10 392

New Dundee United boss Craig Levein got his career off to a flyer as The Tangerines edged Rangers out 2-1.

The Tannadice Park outfit had two late goals in five minutes from Garry Kenneth and Lee Mair to thank as United recorded only their second win in The Scottish Premier League this season.

Charlie Adam had earlier scored his fourth goal in the last five games for The Light Blues, but with only one goal in it, the result was never safe.

The result lifts United off the bottom of the league, ahead of Dunfermline, but leaves Rangers still languishing in third, 15 points behind arch-rivals Celtic at the top of the league.

Under-fire Gers boss Paul Le Guen took the controversial decision to drop top scorer Kris Boyd in favour of Thomas Buffel, and The Light Blues lacked a clinical edge right the way through the match.

Nacho Novo was the Glaswegians' principal sinner in the first half as Rangers missed a string of golden opportunities to open the scoring.

The front man did go some way to make up for his wastefulness in the second half, as Adam played him the ball five minutes after the restart. Novo created some space for himself down the left and crossed along the deck, for the arriving midfielder to meet the ball and give Gers a 1-0 lead on 50 minutes.

But Le Guen's side continued to show profligacy in front of goal, despite Boyd's late introduction as a substitute.

United never gave up hope, and lifted by their faithful supporters, they made Gers pay with two set pieces to record their first home win of the season.

Barry Robson's corner from the right on 77 minutes found defender Kenneth at the back post, and he leapt above Dado Prso to head the ball home for a foothold in the game at 1-1.

Urged on by the crowd, United continued to push forwards and a free kick from the left five minutes later found Mair with a flick-on to hand Levein's team a dreamy 2-1 lead and much-needed three points. It was Mair's first goal of his United career.

Boyd was incorrectly ruled offside when through on goal in the dying minutes, but nothing could take away from a memorable day and result for United and their fans.

Source: http://home.skysports.com

[kennethlindheim]

Great result! Well done DUFC.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Le Guen admits Gers pressure

Paul Le Guen claims he has never felt pressure like he is currently under at Rangers.

The French tactician took charge of The Gers in the summer, but it has been a baptism of fire as his side trail Old Firm rivals Celtic by 15 points.

Le Guen, who guided Lyon to three Ligue 1 titles, is aware that a club of Rangers' stature need to be challenging for honours and admits the pressure in Glasgow is intense.

"For a club like Rangers there is not a transition period and I am aware of that and we need to win games, win titles even if we choose the difficult way with young players, new players," Le Guen told a news conference on Tuesday.

Replying to questions on whether he had ever faced such pressure, Le Guen added: "Perhaps not, but with experience I can cope with that and in football, when you don't win then you must shut your mouth and try to do your best."

Source: http://home.skysports.com

[glasgow_dude]

No Comment

[skeeta]

I think Paul Le Guen is having problems adjusting to the very different style of play in Scotland.

When he started his career at Rennes, he had a reputation for discovering and nurturing young players, of whom Nonda and Diouf were probably the best known (yes, I know, but they were both good in France). He also brought some new blood into Santini's Lyon team (Malouda for one). But he seems not to have a clue when it comes to beating the likes of St. Johnstone. And apparently neither do the likes of the guys he has brought in, like Letizi (who was also decent in France).

[LAF]

Originally Posted by skeeta

I think Paul Le Guen is having problems adjusting to the very different style of play in Scotland.

When he started his career at Rennes, he had a reputation for discovering and nurturing young players, of whom Nonda and Diouf were probably the best known (yes, I know, but they were both good in France). He also brought some new blood into Santini's Lyon team (Malouda for one). But he seems not to have a clue when it comes to beating the likes of St. Johnstone. And apparently neither do the likes of the guys he has brought in, like Letizi (who was also decent in France).

You're spot on. The Teddy Bears have been performing good in Europe but really are useless in the SPL.
Rangers fans are out of order demanding he resigns though, he just needs time to 'figure out' the SPL. Rafa Benitez was useless in the PL in his first season (you could argue he still is).

Some of the media write he underestimated the SPL's quality. I don't think that's the case, the players just need time to adapt to the 100 mph style of the SPL. Some of his defenders are very poor in the air aswell which really doesn't help.