Glasgow | Rangers poor start to the season continues

Rangers 1 - 1 Dundee

James Tavernier’s late penalty salvaged a point for 10-man Rangers against Dundee. 

Author | Mark Lee

Stadium | Ibrox

Rangers press for a winner

The substitute’s spot kick denied Dundee a first victory at Ibrox in 24 years, although it also meant Russell Martin’s wait for a maiden Scottish Premiership win as Rangers head coach goes on.

Ryan Astley’s fine second-half header from a cleverly worked free-kick had given new Dundee manager Steven Pressley hope of a landmark result early in his tenure. But Rangers, reduced to 10 men after Nasser Djiga was sent off for hauling down Fin Robertson, found a way back when Djeidi Gassama was fouled in the box and Tavernier converted from the spot.

A closer look at what happened at Ibrox

The home support made their frustrations clear throughout, unimpressed with the tempo and urgency on display, even booing the introductions of Nico Raskin and Kieran Dowell after the interval. Dundee, by contrast, looked transformed from the side beaten by Airdrieonians and Alloa Athletic in the League Cup group stage, and from the team that conceded twice inside half an hour to Hibernian in their Premiership opener.

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Well-drilled in defence and sharp on the break, the visitors dealt with most of what Rangers offered. Clark Robertson came closest to opening the scoring in the first half, his header striking the inside of the post before falling gratefully into Jack Butland’s gloves. The Rangers goalkeeper denied Robertson again, tipping another header on to the same post, although the defender had strayed offside.

Rangers corner

Rangers did force Jon McCracken into a couple of strong saves after the break and showed intent with 10 men, but too often their play lacked precision. Dundee’s organisation and resilience suggested Pressley’s confidence in his side’s prospects may prove well founded.

Rangers, meanwhile, might take some comfort from rescuing a point in adversity – and from knowing they came close to winning it, only for Cyriel Dessers’ late strike to be ruled out for offside after a VAR review. The final whistle was met, as so often in recent domestic outings at Ibrox, with a chorus of boos.

Rangers are now without a win from their opening two league matches for the first time since 1989.