I watched Rangers falter at Dundee United and noted one man's emotional reaction and poser up top

The hosts took the lead through Lachlan Rose, only for Thelo Aasgaard to equalise after the break. However, Derek McInnes’ men were unable to find a winner in his first game as manager.

Alan Pattullo was in attendance for The Scotsman and picks out three key takeaways from proceedings at Tannadice.

McInnes’ emotional post-match reaction

We witnessed what is likely to happen at the majority of Rangers away matches in the league this season after the final whistle at Tannadice. McInnes has direct links with five of the other 11 teams while at least two other teams’ fans love to hate him. Although he once played for United, it was a long time ago.

There seemed very little residual affection towards him as the home fans goaded the new Rangers manager while he walked purposefully towards the tunnel in the corner at Tannadice after Friday’s 1-1 draw. He in turn thrust his fist in the air in the direction of the Rangers supporters, who roared their approval at this piece of theatre. Say what you like about McInnes, he is pure cinema – and will continue to be throughout the season one suspects.

Thelo Aasgaard

A blind man could see there was a player in there last season even if he struggled to really impose himself. Understandably so, given he is still young and had to overcome injury shortly after he arrived. Fans were expecting instant great things from the £3.5 million forward. This season, though, is set to be a make or break one for the Norwegian international at Ibrox. If he’s not brimming with confidence now, he never will be. Having scored a very good goal against France in the World Cup, he has opened his Rangers account for the campaign with another scintillating finish.

He seems to be relishing the greater responsibility placed on his shoulders by McInnes, who clearly sees him as one of the team’s big players this season. The new Rangers manager enthused about him afterwards, praising his determination to get back involved so quickly after returning from the World Cup. He noted the player’s desire “to get his hands dirty and get going again”. Aasgaard’s strike v United 11 minutes after half time had some similarities with the one he got against France, in his side’s 4-1 defeat, in that it was an opportunistic finish. He made space for himself before curling his foot around the ball. Expect more of this in the weeks and months ahead.

Best foil for Shankland?

McInnes isn’t scared to make big decisions. There was surprise at the identity of the player picked to partner Lawrence Shankland on Friday night: Ryan Naderi. The big German forward has hardly set the heather alight since arriving from the German third tier midway through last season. Just three goals, two of them against Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup. Youssef Chermiti, meanwhile, scored two hat tricks and an overhead kick against Celtic.

Yet McInnes turned to Naderi for the league opener. To be fair, he did come close with a header that was well saved by Jack Walton and he crossed early on for a Shankland flick towards goal. But there wasn’t much else to suggest this was a partnership set to propel Rangers to the title. Early days of course. Naderi was subbed at half time and Rangers looked better with Chermiti joining Shankland up front.

One wonders why McInnes didn’t opt for Chermiti in the first place. Does he think they are too similar? Time will tell whether they can form a productive partnership. There was a good opening near the end when Chermiti chose to take a shot on rather than pass to the better placed Shankland, who endured a difficult night. The former Hearts striker will have to find some synergy with someone if Rangers are going to succeed this season.