Was today a case of just getting the win?

Yes, for sure. Today we weren’t in our best form. Also Dundee United were well organised and played really well. I think those things combined to make it a very competitive game today. We didn’t create much aside from some half chances, but second half you could feel that we were pushing for the goal.

With the penalty and Tavernier behind the ball you know he’s going to score - he’s very good at it.

I was very pleased with the win but our performances need to be better. As you said, you have games in the season where the form is not there and you struggle to create chances. You have to do everything you can to win those matches. Today we did.

We have one week now to prepare ourselves for the last week before the winter break. So we can have a couple of days off and prepare ourselves really well.

How important was it to keep the back door shut?

You saw it was a game with not many chances for both sides. Even after the goal, you could feel that Dundee United were pushing to get the equaliser. They had a great chance when they headed it onto the crossbar.

It was a tough match and sometimes that happens, but you need to make sure you don’t lose points and today we didn’t.

Why did the team’s shape change so early on?

READ MORE: Giovanni van Bronckhorst turns Rangers tinkerman as Dutchman proves no ideologue

We had to change something because Borna [Barisic] trained yesterday and this morning just before we came to the stadium he called to say he wasn’t well. So I had to change my line-up. It’s not ideal to play with Nathan [Patterson] on the left but I think today we also needed our full-backs to support. So we prepared our team in two different systems. Because we didn’t know how Dundee United would play. Normally they play 4-3-3, I think in one game earlier this season they played with five at the back. They changed back to that today so we had to alter. In the end it wasn't about our formation, we just weren’t good in the game. We lost many balls, we were sloppy and we cannot afford to have many games like that.

Any updates on Balogun or Helander?

I don’t think we’re going to see Filip [Helander] before the winter break. Leon [Balogun] went to Germany for a couple of days but is back now. So hopefully this week he will start training again.

You looked frustrated on the touchline – why was that?

You want to coach players. I tried to do that in the first half. I think our positioning wasn't always ideal so we had to change that at half-time. The overall performance could have been better. I’m there to tell that to my players. They’re very open to receiving that coaching. I've been a coach for many years – I know you cannot play at the highest level every game. That’s why I'm pleased with the win.

Is there a risk of making too many changes?

Today we had two. One was because Borna wasn’t fit. It’s good to have some changes but you don’t want to change the whole squad. Of course with Joe, looking ahead, for him to be playing was a bit of a risk because we could lose him if he is booked. I would never have put him in if we were winning but at that moment we needed his input. I’m happy he didn’t receive a yellow. We will have him until the winter break.

What was the thinking behind bringing on Scott Wright?

When you’re playing against a team that is defending really deep with five defenders I always try to play with wingers who can keep the width and pace. With Hagi playing on his left it was more natural for him to come inside. We didn’t have the best positions on the pitch so I knew Wright would play like a right winger to allow Hagi to create danger inside. I had to take off John [Lundstram] because the game needed some other formation. I tried it first with Hagi inside together with Arfield and then after 15 minutes put Joe in to give us more threat going forward.

Was it difficult to prepare because of Dundee United’s stretched squad?

READ MORE: Detailed Rangers player ratings as Scott Wright shines in drab Ibrox showing

No, I think it was more difficult for their coach. We don’t want to lose players to injury or Covid so for him it was more difficult. He can be proud of how he prepared his team because they did really well. Especially with a lot of young players they gave us a really hard time.

Dundee United were very organised. How do you think your team coped with their plan to limit Rangers building play?

We had Lundstram as the No.6 and Kamara a little bit higher up. We changed it during the game. If we don’t have Kamara available in the build-up it means someone else is. I think we lacked a bit of bravery, especially from the back to commit into midfield. We were just passing, passing. If we could not find Kamara we just passed it back. If we don’t find Kamara, we need other players to commit themselves. Today we didn’t do it as well as before. That’s why we struggled a little bit, especially in the first half.

How will you use the eight days before St Mirren’s visit?

For the first time, we can train normal! The players will have tomorrow and Monday off before we start Tuesday again training. We can prepare them physically, but also tactically we can do more to prepare ourselves for the following week. I’m happy with the break.