Rangers 2-0 Dundee United: Giovanni van Bronckhorst praises much changed team
- Published
'Diallo showed why he's so well thought of'
Giovanni van Bronckhorst praised his much-changed Rangers team after they beat Dundee United to delay Celtic's Scottish Premiership title win.
Only victory for the Europa League finalists at Ibrox was enough to postpone their rivals' celebrations.
James Tavernier broke United's stubborn resistance with a second-half penalty and Amad Diallo netted the clincher.
"We wanted a result and to keep our level of playing and we achieved that," Van Bronckhorst told Sky Sports.
Rangers returned Celtic's lead to six points with two games to go, with Ange Postecoglou's side 21 goals better off.
United remain a point in front of fifth-placed Motherwell and on course for a European spot.
A Rangers team showing seven changes following Thursday's thrilling but gruelling Europa League semi-final win against Leipzig took time to fully stretch their visitors, Fashion Sakala pouncing on a Charlie Mulgrew mistake to give goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist his first contribution.
Scott Arfield exchanged passes with Steven Davis before drawing another fine save and Sakala spun well in the box only to shoot wide.
The Zambian tested Siegrist from wide on the left early in the second period but the keeper was culpable when Sakala latched on to Aaron Ramsey's chip.
The forward was pulled down, prompting a booking for the Swiss keeper, and Tavernier converted confidently to the right.
United had to show more attacking intent and Ryan Edwards, buoyed by his recent strike against Hearts, flashed a shot over Jon McLaughlin's goal while substitute Nicky Clark was wide with his effort.
Scott Wright's half-time replacement Diallo, after being clattered by the booked Ross Graham, made an impact on Rangers' right and sent a couple of efforts wide before converting Sakala's pass for the second goal.
Man of the match - Fashion Sakala
The forward was Rangers' most industrious attacker and played a part in both goals
What did we learn?
In Kemar Roofe's continued absence, Sakala was the only recognised striker in Rangers' starting line-up but began wide left. Arfield was deployed in an advanced central role and linked well with Davis and Ramsey.
The second half featured a Rangers debut for Adam Devine, sent on with fellow youngsters Alex Lowry and Charlie McCann and joining teenage starter Leon King on the pitch as manager van Bronckhorst rested players before the Europa League and Scottish Cup finals.
United's strategy was primarily one of containment, a task they performed admirably until the penalty incident. In attack, they struggled to create openings and still have work to do to secure a top-five finish and a Europa Conference League qualifying place.
What did they say?
Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst told Sky Sports: "Very pleased because it's the last two weeks of the season and of course we have two major last games with the Europa League final and the [Scottish Cup] final. We want to keep going.
"Very happy that we could change some players. We could give some minutes to our academy players."
Dundee United head coach Tam Courts told Sky Sports: "We've got to acknowledge that we were beaten by the better team. Rangers were in a good state of flow so all credit to them. We didn't have enough influence with the football, enough attacking intent.
"I can have any complaints. Can't fault the players for their effort, their application, their commitment. [European qualification] is still in our hands."
What's next?
Rangers play their final home match of the season on Wednesday against Ross County in the Scottish Premiership (19:45 BST) while Dundee United host Celtic (19:30), with the visitors needing only a draw to clinch the title.