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Dundee United defender Charlie Mulgrew warns Rangers will find winning away more difficult with fans back

08-Aug-2021 22:34:00 | Herald Scotland

CHARLIE Mulgrew has predicted Rangers will find it more difficult to record wins away from home in the cinch Premiership this season with fans back inside stadiums in large numbers. Former Celtic and Scotland player Mulgrew helped Dundee United to beat the Ibrox club 1-0 at Tannadice on Saturday. It was first time the Scottish champions had lost in the league in 16 months and 40 games – their previous defeat had come against Hamilton at home way back on March 4, 2020. United were roared on by 4,600 of their supporters at the weekend due to the relaxing of Covid-19 social distancing restrictions and centre half Mulgrew praised the crowd for their vocal backing. The 35-year-old felt the Tayside outfit met their Glasgow rivals, who take on Malmo in Govan in the second leg of their Champions League third qualifying round double header tomorrow evening, at the perfect time. However, he also argued the intimidating atmosphere the United fans created piled the pressure on the visitors and anticipates Steven Gerrard’s side will not find victories on the road as easy to come by in the coming months as they did last term. “Listen, they (Rangers) have been brilliant,” he said. “But it was about what we did and how we went up against them. It’s not easy in between Champions League games when you need to qualify. That’s your cup final. “We really stuck to our gameplan and got in their faces. I told the lads I know what it’s like in between Champions League games and qualifiers. These games are difficult. You don’t want people in your face. You want an easy day. “I knew it was important we didn’t give them that. From the first minute, we were right on top of them and we managed to get the result. They are a great side and they will respond to that. But we are just happy that we could get a result. “We fought all over the pitch. I could go right through the squad. Genuinely, it was a proper 11 out there and the lads that came on were brilliant.” Mulgrew continued: “The fans were brilliant for us too. We needed them to get behind us. We knew our fans would get behind us if we started well and gave them something to cheer for. We did that and it just came together nicely. “They stuck with us. We have to make sure that is the way forward. We are all in it together. We are all pushing for the same thing. “There is no doubt about it: it makes away games a bit more difficult. When your opponents give their fans something to cheer, maybe get a couple of corners early, it sways the mindset to ‘we are under pressure here’. Whereas in a quiet stadium, it’s just like a training game and the pressure is off a wee bit. “I’m sure in the first 15 to 20 minutes Rangers felt ‘we’ve not started well, oh no, no, no’. A few corners, and that’s what the fans do. Football’s nothing without fans. So we are thankful to have them. “Rangers are a great side and they will bounce back. But we played well and got the three points and now it’s on to the next game. That’s as simple as it is.”