A terrific, hard working team performance from the Dark Blues earned a point from a 0-0 draw at home to Rangers tonight. Despite losing captain Joe Shaughnessy through injury in the opening minutes the Dee defended superbly and prevented Rangers turning possession into domination of the game. The Dundee defence was always in control and the players can take pride from the clean sheet against one of Scotland’s top sides.
Dundee’s starting line-up showed three changes from the team which drew with Aberdeen on Saturday. Ricki Lamie, Owen Dodgson and Malachi Boateng came in for Antonio Portales, Aaron Donnelly and Dara Costelloe, who all moved to the bench.
Dundee started fast and impressively. In the first minute Amadou Bakayoko swung over a great cross which found Malachi Boateng and he drilled a low shot inches wide from 16 yards. The Dee continued to unsettle Rangers with some slick and confident attacking.
Disappointingly the Dark Blues lost skipper Joe Shaughnessy after only six minutes when he landed awkwardly making a challenge in midfield. After receiving treatment he was replaced by Antonio Portales.
Almost immediately Rangers had their best move and chance of the first half. A fast break from a turnover in their own half sent Abdallah Sima clear into the penalty area. His low angled shot was saved by Jon McCracken with his feet.
Dundee had a decent penalty claim after 12 minutes. Lyall Cameron flicked the ball up against John Souttar’s hand on the edge of the penalty area. VAR decided there was no offence. It would have been a harsh award, but many like that have been given this season.
Dundee’s best moment came midway through the half after Scott Tiffoney was fouled inside the D, 20 yards from goal. Luke McCowan’s free kick flew through the wall. Jack Butland reacted well to save and recovered to block Tiffoney’s follow up. Bakayoko tucked the ball into the net, but he was offside when the second shot was made.
Rangers went close themselves from a 30 yard free kick from James Tavernier. Jon McCracken turned his effort round the post.
As the half wore on Rangers started to dominate in terms of possession and territory. However, they were never in full control of the game and couldn’t cut Dundee open or create clear chances.
Rangers started the second half at a high tempo but they were still unable to play their way through the Dark Blues. After a hard working ten minutes in which Dundee kept Rangers at bay the Dark Blues grew in confidence, began to impose themselves and stopped Rangers building the momentum that might eventually have forced an opening goal.
Eleven minutes after the restart Rangers made a triple substitution. It hardly changed the game. The Dark Blues continued to defend superbly. In the middle of the second half Dundee sent on Curtis Main and Dara Costelloe to replace Amadou Bakayoko and Scott Tiffoney, who had both put in a power of work.
Dundee didn’t have many opportunities to attack. Some of the passing was below the Dee’s usual high standards, but the Dark Blues were always capable of putting together a match winning move.
Jon McCracken had to make only one save of note in the second half, and that was a fine one. After 72 minutes substitute Cyriel Dessers skipped inside Ricki Lamie and fired a fierce shot for the top corner only for McCracken to respond superbly.
The Dark Blue’s only real chance of the second half came when Jordan McGhee picked up a deep cross from Luke McCowan and chipped a cross back into the goalmouth. The clearance went straight to Lyall Cameron whose shot was charged down.
There were three minutes of added time and Dundee saw them out calmly. Rangers offered surprisingly little in the closing stages. Despite Rangers’ desperate need for a win there was no late charge and Dundee did as much attacking as the visitors in added time.
Dee supporters would have been entitled to fear the worst when Joe Shaughnessy was forced out of the game so early. Despite that setback Dundee defended superbly throughout with Antonio Portales proving an excellent replacement. He was hardly alone in having a fine game. All his fellow defenders were outstanding and deserve plaudits for earning an impressive clean sheet. The midfielders helped protect the defence and had the confidence to try and make passes that might hurt Rangers rather than continually going for the easy options. Mo Sylla and Malachi Boateng have seldom started together, but the decision to play both in midfield tonight paid off.
The whole Dundee team was focussed, organised and hard working. Anything less would have cost the Dark Blues the game against top opponents. Dundee gave Rangers nothing tonight and the Dark Blues’ point was fully deserved. It was a very pleasing way to round off the pre-split campaign. On to the last five games now!
Dundee FC 4-1-4-1
McCracken
McGhee, Shaughnessy (c) (Portales 9), Lamie, Dodgson
Sylla
Boateng, Cameron, McCowan, Tiffoney (Costelloe 63)
Bakayoko (Main 63)
Unused subs: Carson (gk), Astley, Mulligan, Robertson, Donnelly, Mellon.
Booked: Dodgson (timewasting).
Rangers 4-2-3-1
Butland
Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Sterling
Lawrence, Lundstram
Sima (McCausland 79), Cantwell (Dowell 56), Silva (Matondo 56)
Roofe (Dessers 56)
Unused subs: McRorie (gk), Davis, Barisic, King, Raskin.
Booked: none.
Referee: Don Robertson. Assistants: Graeme Stewart, Calum Spence. Fourth Official: Calum Scott. VAR: Alan Muir. Assistant: VAR. Andrew McWilliam.
Attendance: 9,010.
Report: James Christie.
