Patterson & Tavernier equation

TODAY was one of the few occasions so far where Nathan Patterson and James Tavernier started for Rangers under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

The team sheet seemed to indicate Patterson at left-back and Tavernier on the right, but at kick-off Tavernier appeared to start in central defence.

This was quickly resolved with Tavernier heading back to his optimal role on the right-flank and Patterson switching to left-back with Calvin Bassey back into the middle with Connor Goldson.

Patterson proved he's just as suitable filling in at left-back in the absence of Barisic going forward.

And it's clear Tavernier is at his best on the right with Bassey continuing to show great promise in the centre of defence.

Keep Kamara deep

GLEN Kamara started this afternoon a little further forward than he's usually deployed.

It may have been a subtle tweak from Van Bronckhorst who rested Joe Aribo for most of the match with John Lundstram coming into the holding role.

But Kamara showed he's much more effective in his usual position in guarding the defence from deep and dictating large passages of play.

That's not to say he was ineffective further forward but it appears he thrives from a deeper role.

Late let off as unbeaten run continues

FOR all the possession and eventual chances Rangers had at Ibrox it could so easily have been undone by a late header.

United youngster Darren Watson sent his looping effort off the crossbar with just minutes left.

It was a warning sign for Rangers going forward of how precarious a one-goal can be with the slender lead almost evaporating with United's final effort.

However, Rangers held on and it keeps Van Bronckhorst's unbeaten record going with seven wins from eight in the dugout for the Dutchman.