Digressive Celts

Matches › 2020/21

Rangers 4–1 Dundee United

Sunday 21 February 2021, 15:00 · Ibrox Stadium · Round 33 · Half-time 2–0

Rangers Hagi 35', Kent 38', Aribo 48', Morelos 64'

Dundee United McNulty 86'

Post-match

Result and Expected Points

RangersDundee United
Goals41
xG3.261.04
Non-penalty xG2.481.04
Expected Points2.670.23

Rangers 85%Draw 11%Dundee United 4%

Most likely score 3–1, 13%. Final score 4–1, 10%.

Dundee United goalsRangers goals0123456+0123456+2%4%2%6%5%8%6%1%6%5%3%6%3%2%3%1%10%13%10%Final score

Own goals have no xG.

xG race

012340153045607590HTKamara on for Jack, 27'Arfield on for Hagi and Wright on for Davis, 63'Simpson on for Helander and Defoe on for Morelos, 67'McNulty on for Appere, 68'K. Smith on for Harkes, 90+2'Hagi 35'Kent 38'Aribo 48'Morelos 64'McNulty 86'Rangers 3.26Dundee United 1.04012340153045607590HTKamara on for Jack, 27'Arfield on for Hagi and Wright on for Davis, 63'Simpson on for Helander and Defoe on for Morelos, 67'McNulty on for Appere, 68'K. Smith on for Harkes, 90+2'Hagi 35'Kent 38'Aribo 48'Morelos 64'McNulty 86'3.261.04RangersDundee United

Each side's xG added up shot by shot through the match. Stoppage time is shaded as far as the last shot or event recorded in it. Triangles along the foot mark each side's substitutions.

Match stats

RangersDundee United

3.26 +1.14xG1.04 +0.10
2.48Non-penalty xG1.04
4.50 +2.58xG on target2.13 +1.23
22 +4.9Shots7 −2.6
11 +5.1Shots on target4 +1.1
6 +3.2Big chances2 +0.8
42 +10Touches in the opposition box9 −5
63% −4Possession37% −10
550 −64Passes334 −35
83% −1Pass accuracy69% +3
74% −5Field tilt26% −14
46 −14Final-third entries29 −2
22 +3.9Box entries7 −1.4
9.0 −1Passes per defensive action15.4 0
7 +0.2Corners0 −4.2
17 +3Tackles18 +4
16 +6.9Interceptions10 −1.5
7 −5Clearances26 +2
3 +1.3Saves7 +3.4
6 −5Fouls9 −4
3 +1.3Offsides3 +1.5

The small figure beside each value is its difference from the side's average per league match this season before this one. Field tilt is each side's share of the open-play passes completed in the final third; entries are completed open-play passes and carries into the final third and the box; passes per defensive action (PPDA) counts the opponent's passes in its own 60% of the pitch for each tackle, interception, challenge, or foul there.

Chance locations

Rangers

Morelos 45', 0.41 xGMorelos 53', 0.33 xGMorelos 43', 0.30 xGArfield 88', 0.10 xGMorelos 43', 0.07 xGMorelos 59', 0.06 xGGoldson 90+1', 0.06 xGAribo 21', 0.05 xGAribo 35', 0.05 xGDavis 44', 0.04 xGBalogun 68', 0.04 xGKent 82', 0.04 xGKent 17', 0.03 xGBalogun 38', 0.03 xGBarisic 53', 0.03 xGWright 90', 0.03 xGMorelos 52', 0.02 xGHagi 35', 0.45 xG, goalMorelos 64', 0.25 xG, goalKent 38', 0.07 xG, goalAribo 48', 0.04 xG, goal17%0.41 xGSix-yard box: 1 shot, 0.41 xG, 0 goals58%1.44 xGCentral box: 10 shots, 1.44 xG, 3 goals19%0.48 xGWide in the box: 5 shots, 0.48 xG, 1 goal4%0.09 xGEdge of the box: 3 shots, 0.09 xG, 0 goals2%0.05 xGFurther out: 2 shots, 0.05 xG, 0 goals

Dundee United

Appere 17', 0.44 xGShankland 9', 0.40 xGRobson 56', 0.05 xGAppere 30', 0.03 xGShankland 45+1', 0.03 xGClark 84', 0.03 xGMcNulty 86', 0.05 xG, goal0%0.00 xGSix-yard box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals81%0.84 xGCentral box: 2 shots, 0.84 xG, 0 goals6%0.06 xGWide in the box: 1 shot, 0.06 xG, 0 goals11%0.11 xGEdge of the box: 3 shots, 0.11 xG, 1 goal3%0.03 xGFurther out: 1 shot, 0.03 xG, 0 goals

Each area's share of the side's xG from open play and set pieces, with the xG in it. The two wide areas of the box count together, as on the club pages. Shots shows each of those shots instead, sized by its xG, with goals filled in.

Chance types

RangersDundee United

2.36 18 shots, 4 goalsOpen play1.03 7 shots, 1 goal
0.12 3 shots, 0 goalsSet pieces0.00 0 shots, 0 goals
0.79 1 shot, 0 goalsPenalties0.00 0 shots, 0 goals

xG by type of chance, with each side's shots and goals beside it.

Game state

Level
35 min (38%) · Rangers 0.57, Dundee United 0.87 xG
Rangers ahead
58 min (62%) · Rangers 2.69, Dundee United 0.17 xG

Line-ups

12665318101772014McGregorBalogunGoldsonHelanderBarisicJackDavisAriboHagiMorelosKentGoalGoalGoalGoal67'27'63'63'67'Rangers 4-3-3Steven Gerrard1212617186627102324SiegristL. SmithEdwardsReynoldsRobsonButcherFuchsAppereClarkHarkesShanklandYellow cardYellow cardYellow card68'90+2'Dundee United 4-1-4-1Micky Mellon

Rangers substitutes

  • 27' Kamara for Jack
  • 63' Arfield for Hagi
  • 63' Wright for Davis
  • 67' Simpson for Helander
  • 67' Defoe for Morelos

Dundee United substitutes

  • 68' McNulty for Appere · goal 86'
  • 90+2' K. Smith for Harkes

Players

Rangers

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
McGregorGK900.000.0000.0230
BalogunRB9010.060.1940.30136
GoldsonCB900.060.0100.0238
HelanderCB670.000.0000.0103
BarisicLB900.820.3320.41114
JackCM270.000.0310.0651
DavisCM630.040.0420.0543
AriboCM90110.140.0810.1165
HagiRW6310.450.1010.0431
MorelosST67111.450.032−0.0702
KentLW9010.130.1230.0483
KamaraMF630.000.0510.0842
ArfieldMF270.100.2700.0230
WrightFW270.030.0400.0931
SimpsonDF230.000.0000.0201
DefoeFW230.000.121−0.1600

Dundee United

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
SiegristGK900.000.0000.0110
L. SmithRB900.000.0210.09106
EdwardsCB900.000.0000.02114
ReynoldsCB900.000.0100.0656
Robson LB900.050.0000.0339
Butcher DM900.000.0400.0443
Fuchs RM900.000.0100.0446
AppereCM680.470.010−0.0111
ClarkCM900.030.2730.1956
HarkesLM900.000.0100.0224
ShanklandST9010.430.0320.0432
McNultyFW2210.050.010−0.0600
K. SmithDF00.000.000––0

Starters, then substitutes in the order they came on. KP is chances created and Def defensive actions (tackles, blocks, clearances, and interceptions). xT is the expected threat added by the player's completed open-play passes and carries, and Prog counts progressive passes and carries.

Pass networks

Rangers

McGregor and Balogun: 3 passesBalogun and Morelos: 3 passesHelander and Goldson: 3 passesHelander and Barisic: 3 passesGoldson and Jack: 3 passesGoldson and Davis: 3 passesAribo and Davis: 3 passesJack and Morelos: 3 passesBalogun and Aribo: 4 passesBarisic and Davis: 4 passesBarisic and Kent: 4 passesAribo and Kent: 4 passesMcGregor and Helander: 5 passesMcGregor and Goldson: 5 passesBarisic and Aribo: 5 passesBarisic and Morelos: 6 passesJack and Davis: 6 passesJack and Hagi: 6 passesBalogun and Hagi: 7 passesBalogun and Goldson: 9 passesBalogun and Jack: 11 passesMcGregor: 9 completed passesBalogun: 22 completed passesHelander: 9 completed passesGoldson: 14 completed passesBarisic: 13 completed passesAribo: 9 completed passesJack: 17 completed passesDavis: 14 completed passesHagi: 8 completed passesMorelos: 6 completed passesKent: 7 completed passes12656311781072014McGregorBalogunHelanderGoldsonBarisicAriboJackDavisHagiMorelosKentStarters until 27' · lines join pairs with 3+ passes

Dundee United

Edwards and Reynolds: 3 passesReynolds and Harkes: 3 passesRobson and Appere: 3 passesFuchs and Clark: 3 passesL. Smith and Clark: 4 passesButcher and Clark: 4 passesRobson and Shankland: 5 passesFuchs and Shankland: 5 passesHarkes and Appere: 5 passesClark and Appere: 5 passesRobson and Butcher: 6 passesRobson and Harkes: 6 passesRobson and Clark: 6 passesHarkes and Shankland: 6 passesClark and Shankland: 6 passesL. Smith and Edwards: 8 passesL. Smith and Butcher: 9 passesEdwards and Butcher: 9 passesButcher and Shankland: 9 passesReynolds and Robson: 12 passesL. Smith and Fuchs: 17 passesL. Smith and Shankland: 17 passesSiegrist: 4 completed passesL. Smith: 34 completed passesEdwards: 16 completed passesReynolds: 13 completed passesRobson: 23 completed passesButcher: 22 completed passesFuchs: 11 completed passesHarkes: 13 completed passesClark: 12 completed passesShankland: 24 completed passesAppere: 7 completed passes1212617186623102427SiegristL. SmithEdwardsReynoldsRobsonButcherFuchsHarkesClarkShanklandAppereStarters until 68' · lines join pairs with 3+ passes

Each starter at the average position of their passes and receptions until the side's first substitution or red card, sized by completed passes. Lines join pairs who passed to each other often, thicker for more passes.

Passing combinations

Rangers

FromToPasses
BarisicAribo17
AriboBarisic14
GoldsonBalogun11
KentBarisic9
DavisAribo9

Dundee United

FromToPasses
L. SmithShankland13
L. SmithFuchs11
RobsonReynolds11
FuchsL. Smith9
ReynoldsRobson9

The five pairs with the most completed passes from one to the other over the whole match.

Defensive actions

Rangers

1−2.82−1.33−4.02−2.74−0.411+3.47+0.97+3.56+0.315+7.98+1.72−3.56+2.510+5.610+4.54−0.95+0.56+3.63−0.73−2.01−2.20−2.41−0.20−2.03+0.50−1.10−0.51+0.10−0.61−0.1FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 29 matches

Dundee United

4−1.14−2.519+2.36−1.26−1.18+1.37−0.33−4.44−4.19−0.88+2.62−3.35+0.75−0.59+3.77+2.810+6.54+1.41−1.810+6.43+0.71−0.30−0.91−0.71−0.91+0.40−0.10−0.41+0.61+0.4FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 29 matches

Where each side made its tackles, interceptions, clearances, blocks, recoveries, challenges, and fouls, attacking up the page. Areas are shaded by the difference from the side's average per match this season before this one: amber for more, blue for fewer.

Threat

Rangers

0.010.010.010.040.020.040.040.020.010.030.020.070.010.020.020.060.050.12−0.060.120.070.03−0.220.070.170.24LessMore

Dundee United

0.010.010.010.010.010.040.020.010.030.020.020.070.020.02−0.07−0.010.120.12LessMore

Expected threat added by completed open-play passes and carries, by where the move started, attacking up the page. Expected threat is the chance that possession in an area leads to a goal; a move adds the difference between where it ends and where it starts.

Ratings

0.51.01.52.0League average 1.17AttackRangers1.85 → 1.91Dundee United0.94 → 0.96Defence (lower is better)Rangers0.60 → 0.62Dundee United1.34 → 1.39

The goals each side would score (attack) and concede (defence) per game against an average team, from the forecast ratings before this matchday (ring) and after it (dot); a lower defence number is better. Grey dots are the other clubs after the matchday, spread up and down only so they don't overlap. The change takes in the whole matchday.

League probabilities

ChanceBeforeWith this resultChange
Dundee United
Top six9%6%−3
11th1%1%0
St. Mirren
Top six67%69%+2
St. Johnstone
Top six24%25%+1

From the forecast before the match (21 February 2021): each chance then, and across the simulations in which the match ended this way. The change is in percentage points.

Pre-match

As things stood before kick-off.

Forecast

RangersDundee United
Expected goals2.180.51
Win76%7%
Expected Points2.450.38
Clean sheet60%11%

Rangers 76%Draw 17%Dundee United 7%

Most likely score 2–0, 16%. Both sides score 36%.

Dundee United goalsRangers goals0123456+0123456+7%3%8%2%8%2%6%2%6%3%3%1%1%14%16%12%

From the forecast as it stood on 21 February 2021: each side's attack and defence ratings in a Dixon–Coles score model, as on the Forecasts page.

League probabilities by result

ChanceNowRangers winDrawDundee United win
Dundee United
Top six9%6%12%32%
11th1%1%1%<1%
St. Mirren
Top six67%69%65%54%
St. Johnstone
Top six24%25%23%15%

Each chance before the match and across the simulations ending in each result. Other teams are listed where a chance moves by at least 3 percentage points.

Form

Rangers

  1. W1–013 FebKilmarnock (H)xG 1.47–0.08
  2. D1–17 FebHamilton Academical (A)xG 0.74–1.37
  3. W1–03 FebSt. Johnstone (H)xG 1.33–0.27
  4. W1–027 JanHibernian (A)xG 1.72–0.80
  5. W5–023 JanRoss County (H)xG 2.67–0.50
  6. D1–117 JanMotherwell (A)xG 0.98–1.20

Dundee United

  1. W3–013 FebLivingston (H)xG 1.93–0.93
  2. W2–06 FebRoss County (A)xG 1.65–0.74
  3. L1–23 FebMotherwell (A)xG 0.97–1.90
  4. L0–230 JanHibernian (H)xG 0.51–1.34
  5. L1–527 JanSt. Mirren (H)xG 1.23–3.25
  6. D0–016 JanHamilton Academical (A)xG 0.63–0.67

The last six league matches, newest first, with xG for and against.

Season to date

RangersDundee United
Position1st7th
Played2929
Won, drawn, lost25–⁠4–⁠08–⁠10–⁠11
Points79 (2.72 per game)34 (1.17 per game)
Expected Points per game2.321.00
Goals69–⁠826–⁠38
xG per game2.12–⁠0.550.94–⁠1.50
Home: points, xG per game3.00, 2.32–⁠0.501.27, 0.96–⁠1.58
Away: points, xG per game2.47, 1.94–⁠0.601.07, 0.91–⁠1.42
ManagerSteven Gerrard (29)Micky Mellon (29)

League matches this season before kick-off. The manager's number is league matches in charge since 2020/21.

Ratings

0.51.01.52.0League average 1.17AttackRangers1.85, 1stDundee United0.94, 9thDefence (lower is better)Rangers0.60, 1stDundee United1.34, 9th

This season

Attack0.00.51.01.52.02.5SepOctNovDecJanFebRangers attack: 1.85Dundee United attack: 0.941.850.94Dundee UnitedRangersDefence (lower is better)0.00.51.01.52.02.5SepOctNovDecJanFebRangers defence: 0.60Dundee United defence: 1.341.340.60

The goals each side would score (attack) and concede (defence) per game against an average team, from the forecast ratings before this matchday, with their rank among the league's clubs; a lower defence number is better. Grey dots are the other clubs, spread up and down only so they don't overlap.

Strengths and weaknesses

RangersDundee United
CreatedConcededCreatedConceded
Open play+89%−50%−21%+25%
Counter-attacks+58%−28%+57%+95%
Set pieces+26%−56%−35%+17%
Penalties+58%−100%−60%−41%
Headers+42%−50%−50%+15%
Left side+35%−43%+12%+32%
Centre+81%−50%−37%+13%
Right side+81%−62%−25%+43%

xG created and conceded per game against the league average this season: +24% is 24% more than an average side. Left and right are each side's own, so chances conceded on its left come from opponents attacking down their right. Green favours the side and amber doesn't.

Matchups

Rangers attacking

Rangers createdDundee United concededLeft side+35%+43%Centre+81%+13%Right side+81%+32%Open play+89%+25%Counter-attacks+58%+95%Set pieces+26%+17%Headers+42%+15%

Dundee United attacking

Dundee United createdRangers concededLeft side+12%−62%Centre−37%−50%Right side−25%−43%Open play−21%−50%Counter-attacks+57%−28%Set pieces−35%−56%Headers−50%−50%

Each side's xG created per game down each side of the pitch, through the centre, and from each type of chance, against what its opponent concedes there, both relative to the league average.

Season averages

RangersDundee United

2.12xG0.94
0.55xG against1.50
67%Possession48%
17.1Shots9.6
5.7Shots against15.4
5.9Shots on target2.9
2.8Big chances1.2
31.6Touches in the opposition box14.4
614Passes369
85%Pass accuracy66%
6.8Corners4.2
79%Field tilt40%
59.6Final-third entries31.2
18.1Box entries8.4
10.4Passes per defensive action15.2

Per league match this season before kick-off.

Game state this season

Rangers

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level322.150.66
Ahead542.090.52
Behind52.270.11

Dundee United

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level470.771.28
Ahead181.201.27
Behind251.062.08

xG by period

Rangers

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.280.127–1
16–300.410.1117–2
31–450.290.0612–1
46–600.440.0712–0
61–750.330.0912–2
76–900.370.109–2

Dundee United

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.140.144–3
16–300.200.204–9
31–450.120.294–7
46–600.170.225–3
61–750.070.351–7
76–900.240.308–9

Per game this season, with stoppage time counted in its half; goals are totals for and against.

Most used players by position

Rangers

GKRBCBCBLBCMCMCMRWSTLWMcGregor 20McLaughlin 9Tavernier 29Goldson 29Helander 16Balogun 13Barisic 26Bassey 3Aribo 17Arfield 10Davis 20Jack 15Hagi 2Kamara 20Hagi 13Roofe 6Kent 3Morelos 18Roofe 5Defoe 3Kent 24Hagi 2Roofe 24-3-3 in 22 of 29 starts

Formations: 4-3-3 (22), 4-2-3-1 (7)

Dundee United

GKCBCBCBRWBCMCMCMLWBSTSTSiegrist 27Mehmet 2Edwards 18Smith 9Neilson 6Connolly 21Butcher 1Reynolds 27Robson 1Bolton 10Smith 9Chalmers 3Butcher 19Clark 9McNulty 1Pawlett 11Robson 9Powers 6Harkes 21Fuchs 9Robson 12Sporle 8Bolton 3Clark 12McNulty 9Chalmers 1Shankland 22Appere 6Robson 43-5-2 in 10 of 29 starts

Formations: 3-5-2 (10), 4-4-2 (9), 4-1-4-1 (3), 5-3-2 (2), 4-2-3-1 (1), 4-4-1-1 (1), 5-4-1 (1), 3-4-1-2 (1), 4-5-1 (1)

This season's most used formation, with up to three players who started most often in each position and their league starts there. Underneath, when a side has used more than one, every formation with its starts.

Head to head

DateHomeAwayxG
13 December 2020Dundee United1–2RangersxG 0.43–1.34
12 September 2020Rangers4–0Dundee UnitedxG 3.02–0.91

2 league meetings since 2020/21: Rangers won 2, Dundee United won 0, and 0 were drawn. Goals 6–1 and xG 2.18–0.67 per game.

Key players

Rangers

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Roofe131,1381020.660.11
Tavernier292,5851190.400.27
Morelos181,482720.470.12
Itten4643410.380.20

Dundee United

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Clark211,745810.290.11
Shankland222,026710.270.11
Sporle10925220.190.15
Pawlett141,225110.130.15

Up to four players a side with the most xG plus xA per 90 minutes, from those with at least 450 league minutes.