Sky Sports football: Goodwin sets marker vs Rangers
Dundee United host Rangers in the Scottish Premiership season opener on Friday 31 July at 8pm, live on Sky Sports football. Boss Jim Goodwin says his side must show no fear and lay down a marker at Tannadice, with Derek McInnes making his competitive Rangers debut.
Key Takeaways
- Dundee United vs Rangers kicks off at 8pm on Friday 31 July at Tannadice, live on Sky Sports football.
- Jim Goodwin wants a no-fear approach and an early tone against Derek McInnes' Rangers.
- All six Scottish Premiership opening-weekend fixtures will be live on Sky Sports for the first time.
- Miller Thomson is out for United; Rangers wait on visa and fitness doubts, while Thelo Aasgaard and Cammy Devlin are expected to be fine.
When is Dundee United vs Rangers on Sky Sports football?
The curtain-raiser is at Tannadice Park on Friday 31 July, with kick-off at 8pm UK time. Sky Sports will show the match live, and every game across the opening weekend is scheduled on the channel for the first time.
Saturday's card includes Falkirk vs St Mirren (3pm) and Aberdeen vs Hearts (5.30pm). Sunday brings St Johnstone vs Kilmarnock (2pm) and Hibernian vs Motherwell (4.30pm), before Celtic vs Dundee on Monday 3 August (7.30pm).
Why does Jim Goodwin want to lay down a marker?
Goodwin told Sky Sports News his players know what it takes to get a positive result against Rangers. He is not expecting major tactical surprises from McInnes, having faced the new Ibrox boss when McInnes managed Aberdeen and Hearts.
"What they have got is very talented players within their squad but our approach to the game has got to be one of no fear," Goodwin said. "We've got to go and set the tone nice and early." He called the first home game of the season a chance to "lay down a marker" in front of United supporters.
United finished seventh last season after a fourth-place campaign the year before. Goodwin has made nine summer signings and wants top six secured early, then a push for European places. Rangers, under McInnes after Danny Rohl's third-place finish, have added seven new players as the 55-year-old begins his competitive tenure.
Who is fit for the Tannadice opener?
According to team news reports, Dundee United midfielder Miller Thomson is out with an ankle injury from pre-season, while versatile defender Dario Naamo is a doubt with a muscle issue.
Rangers' Vanja Dragojevic, signed from Partizan Belgrade, is a doubt pending his visa after missing the West Ham friendly. Ross McCrorie is also a doubt after a knee injury kept him out of that game.
McInnes has said World Cup midfielders Thelo Aasgaard and Cammy Devlin "will be fine for the weekend" after leaving the goalless West Ham draw early with a shoulder knock and a calf kick respectively.
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