Relief for Rangers as Lawrence goal sees off Dundee United

Tom Lawrence's early goal proved decisive as Rangers found some respite amid troubled times with a 1-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice.

The Gers' response from a comprehensive 3-0 defeat by Celtic at Parkhead before the international break began when the returning midfielder struck in the seventh minute with a clever finish - and he could have added to his tally.

However, Rangers' grip on the game weakened as it unfolded but the newly-promoted home side could not fashion a leveller as they fell to their first William Hill Premiership defeat of the season.

These are tough days at the Ibrox club.

John Bennett stepped down as chairman on Saturday due to health reasons with the club still searching for a CEO, a director of football and an academy director.

However, the nervous victory for Philippe Clement's side which took them above United into third place will go a little way to lighten the doom and gloom which surrounds the Govan club.

The Gers fans approached the match and the team news with some trepidation.

Wide-man Oscar Cortes returned from injury but midfielder Kieran Dowell was a surprise inclusion along with Lawrence, with new signings Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Nedim Bajrami ready to make their debuts off the bench.

United, one point ahead of their opponents at kick-off, were unchanged for the fourth game in a row and confident.

After a minute's applause in tribute to former Dundee United and Liverpool defender Ron Yeats, who recently died, it was the visitors who quickly took control.

It seemed rather easy when Lawrence took a pass from Cyriel Dessers - who moments earlier had claims for a penalty turned down when he went down inside the box after a challenge by former Drogheda United defender Emmanuel Adegboyega - and