Rangers player ratings vs Dundee United: Thelo Aasgaard superb, old habits haunt Djeidi Gassama

Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw against Dundee United to mark the start of the Derek McInnes era in a Scottish Premiership opener this Friday.

The Bears started the game by looking the sharper of the two sides, but the hosts quickly grew back into the contest.

Jim Goodwin's side played better combinations in the first 45, and that paid off when Lachlan Rose stumbled the ball into the back of the net to give the Terrors the lead in the 38th minute.

McInnes' side were booed off at halftime by the travelling supporters, as the 55-year-old made a double change at the break to try to steady the game.

Thelo Aasgaard levelled the score up with a cracker before the hour mark, and both sides had chances after to seal the three points.

Rangers will be unhappy with just a point to start their campaign, as there was a mixed bag of performers for the Light Blues.

Same old, same old for Djeidi Gassama

McInnes made a big decision to start Djeidi Gassama on the left, but the Gers boss had seen enough at the break.

The 22-year-old was hooked at the break, with Dan Neil coming on to replace him and make his debut.

Ibrox News covered Andy Halliday's reaction to Gassama's penalty shout after being hauled to the ground by Bert Esselink around the 15th minute, but even if he did win the spot-kick, it would have covered up a poor 45 minutes.

He took three shots, none of which were on target, as he was wasteful in front of goal, something Rangers are used to from the forward.

With time left in the transfer window, those 45 minutes could prove crucial for McInnes and his thoughts of Gassama.

Thelo Aasgaard best man on the pitch

Aasgaard enjoyed some positive moments with Norway at the World Cup, so he was always going to return to Glasgow with some momentum behind him.

That proved to be the case on the opening day of the season, as the attacking midfielder was on fire at the CalForth Construction Arena.

After looking the most lively player for the Bears in the first 45, he came out in the second half looking ready to make an impact.

He saw a stunning long-range effort denied by a top-class save from Jack Walton, right before he beat the Dundee keeper with a venomous left-footed strike.

The 24-year-old also completed 100 per cent of his three attempted dribbles, as he may have just set himself up for a successful campaign.

Rangers ratings vs Dundee United

Ivor Pandur - 6

Tuur Rommens - 7

Emmanuel Fernandez - 6

Ben Godfrey - 6 (off for McCrorie 63')

Dujon Sterling - 4

Mohamed Diomande - 5

Terry Devlin - 6 (off for Curtis 82')

Djeidi Gassama - 3 (off for Neil 45')

Thelo Aasgaard - 9

Ryan Naderi - 5 (off for Chermiti 45')

Lawrence Shankland - 5

Substitutes

Dan Neil - 5 (on for Gassama 45')

Findlay Curtis - N/A (on for Devlin 82')

Ross McCrorie - 6 (on for Godfrey 63')

Youssef Chermiti - 5 (on for Naderi 45')