Dundee went down to a 3-0 defeat at Ibrox against Rangers this afternoon. The Dark Blues matched Rangers in the first half but fell behind to James Tavernier’s penalty shortly after half time. The Dee pushed for an equaliser and remained in contention until Rangers scored twice in added time through Danilo and Djeidi Gassama. The final scoreline was harsh on the Dark Blues whose performance offered promise, but which fell frustratingly short when it came to opening up the Rangers defence.
Billy Koumetio was injured as was Clark Robertson, his substitute replacement against Kilmarnock, so Imari Samuels came into the starting 11. Ryan Astley moved from right back to centre back with Drey Wright switching sides from left back to the right.
The Dark Blues kept Rangers quiet in the opening stages, with the hosts doing little to trouble the Dee defence. After 12 minutes Rangers did get the ball into the Dee net when Tochi Chukwuani bundled in the cross following a short corner, but he was couple of feet offside.
Dundee’s attack was largely kept under control by the Rangers defence throughout the first half. The only moments of danger came from two good low crosses from Cam Congreve on the right, but neither found a Dee.
The pressure increased on the Dark Blues’ defence towards the end of the half, but there was a lack of drive and intensity from Rangers. Dundee coped well but Jon McCracken did have to save twice. He pulled off a good save from Thelo Aasgaard’s 20 yard effort after Dundee lost possession in midfield. A couple of minutes later Aasgaard played Chukwuani in at an angle, but the midfielder’s finish was weak and McCracken blocked with his legs.
It’s not often that Dundee have such a relatively calm and stress-free 45 minutes at one of the big Glasgow clubs. Rangers were sure to step up the pace after half time but it was still something of a surprise when they were awarded a penalty in the first minute of the second half.
Nicolas Raskin scooped a shot over the bar but was caught late by Ryan Astley’s challenge. The VAR review was never likely to change the referee’s mind, and James TAVERNIER converted the penalty.
Dundee responded well and for 20 minutes they were the better side. The Dee forced Rangers back but couldn’t break down the home defence. Crucially, despite dominating territory and possession, the Dark Blues failed to set up any real chances, or bring keeper Jack Butland into action.
Rangers had a brief spell of fierce pressure in which Mikey Moore’s precise toe poke from 12 yards was touched round the post by McCracken.
Dundee used all five substitutions sending on Fin Robertson and Joe Bevan, and then Charlie Reilly, Joel Cotterill, and Simon Murray.
The Dark Blues continued to push for an equaliser without ever opening up Rangers defence. Chasing the game gave Rangers more space and Dundee were undone by two late goals in added time.
A loose ball in midfield allowed substitute DANILO to run clear and he finished expertly, giving McCracken no chance of saving.
In the final minute of added time Rangers scored a third goal which provided a highly misleading scoreline. Djeidi GASSAMA was given too much space and curled a shot from 18 yards round McCracken and inside the far post.
Dundee have lost games by similar scorelines at Ibrox over the last few 10 years, but in these games Rangers ran out as comfortable winners. Today was disappointing because Dundee played well for 90 minutes only to fall frustratingly short when it came to the crunch.
The Dee were solid at the back until the game opened as they chased an equaliser. The midfield was effective but only till they approached the final third. They could never find the creative spark to hurt Rangers within 30 yards of goal.
Despite the scoreline there are still strong signs of improvement that bode well for the rest of the season. Perhaps the creative attacking players lacked confidence in their own abilities and took safe and harmless options too often. They didn’t go after Rangers in the way their talent would have justified. These young players have huge promise and they will learn from this match.
Rangers 4-2-3-1
Butland
Tavernier, Djiga, Fernandez, Meghoma
Raskin, Chukwuani (Diomande 53)
Aasgaard (Bajrami 72), Skov Olsen (Gassama 53), Moore (Curtis 81)
Miovski (Danilo 81)
Unused subs: Kelly(gk, Antman, Aarons, Nsiala.
Goals: Tavernier (48 pen), Danilo (90+1), Gassama (90+4).
Booked: Djiga (foul on Yogane).
Dundee 4-1-4-1
Jon McCracken
Drey Wright, Ryan Astley, Luke Graham, Imari Samuels
Ethan Hamilton (c)
Cameron Congreve (Joe Bevan 72), Yan Dhanda (Joel Cotterill 81), Callum Jones (Fin Robertson 72), Tony Yogane (Charlie Reilly 81)
Ash Hay (Simon Murray 81)
Unused substitutes: Kieran O’Hara (gk), Paul Digby, Brad Halliday, Ethan Ingram.
Booked: Hamilton (foul on Aasgaard).
Attendance: 50,165.
Referee: Kevin Clancy. Assistants: Graeme Stewart, Colin Drummond. VAR: Matthew MacDermid. Assistant VAR: Duncan Williams.
Report: James Christie.E
