Dundee 1 – 1 Rangers

Rangers wretched away form in the Scottish Premiership continued with a 1-1 draw against Dundee which left the Gers 15 points behind leaders Celtic.

The Light Blues began the game with just three wins in 10 league fixtures away from Ibrox which had decimated title hopes and they fell behind in the sixth minute when attacking midfielder Oluwaseun Adewumi took advantage of poor defending to fire the home side ahead.

Gers winger Vaclav Cerny levelled in the 34th minute with the Gers’ first shot on target but on a freezing night on Tayside there was no surge of improvement from the inconsistent Govan side and a laboured, uninspiring performance against Tony Docherty’s spirited Dark Blues outfit has them well adrift of their Old Firm rivals in what can barely be called a title race.

It was more ammunition for those who believe Philippe Clement’s time at Ibrox should be up – the fans certainly let the players know their feelings at the end – and he has to do something positive in the transfer window to prevent further pressure on his shoulders.

Following the 3-3 draw against Hibernian at Easter Road at the weekend, Clement had to again dig deep into his squad due to injuries and suspension.

Key players such as Jack Butland, James Tavernier, Leon Balogun, Neraysho Kasanwirjo, John Souttar and Dujon Sterling were missing through various ailments while midfielder Nico Raskin was suspended, his place taken by Connor Barron.

French defender Clinton Nsiala, the 20-year-old defender signed from AC Milan in the summer, made his first senior start in the makeshift Gers defence.

Dundee’s star midfielder Lyall Cameron was a late entry to the long list of Docherty’s 10 absentees.

Aaron Donnelly, signed from Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, was put straight in with 19-year-old midfielder Cesar Garza making his first start and Ethan Ingram returning.

Clement was keen to stress that the inclusion of Nsiala for Sterling “was not an exam” but he was as slack as the rest of the Gers defence at Dundee’s opener.

The visitors failed to deal with the first real moment of pressure and when Scott Tiffoney’s shot was blocked wide of the target, Josh Mulligan moved quickly to return the ball back for 19-year-old Adewumi, on loan from Burnley, whose shot from eight yards beat Gers goalkeeper Liam Kelly.

A shaken Rangers side looked nervy any time the ball came into the box and they were just as unconvincing going forward.

However, the Dundee defence was breached when Gers battling striker Hamza Igamane set up Cerny inside the box and the Czech Republic winger, on loan from VfL Wolfsburg, steadied before drilling the ball through the legs of Carson for his 11th goal of the season, the Gers supporters happy that Nsiala’s challenge on Simon Murray inside the Gers box moments earlier went unpunished.

Clement replaced Ianis Hagi with Rabbi Matondo for the start of the second half and he helped push Dundee back towards their own goal, with Carson saving a Cerny drive in the 56th minute after some panic in the home defence.

Rangers left-back Jefte, booked in the first half for a foul on Tiffoney, upended the Dundee player on the touchline but no foul was given to the frustration of the home supporters, who then saw Adewumi knock in a Murray cross in the 65th minute only to be ruled offside.

Clement brought on Brazilian striker Danilo for Barron, a positive change but it was still a struggle to break down a resolute Dark Blues defence.

In the 72nd minute, Carson parried a powerful Igamane drive to safety before Adewumi fired high over the bar at the other end moments later, before forcing a save from Kelly with a shot after a driving run.

With four minutes remaining Rangers midfielder Mohamed Diomande struck the woodwork with a drive from 25 yards and there was more pressure but no more goals in what was another poor away league performance by Rangers who have to hope some reinforcements are coming in during the January transfer window.

Clement: Not good enough

Rangers manager Philippe Clement:

“We didn’t have enough clear chances. In our last pass we were not good enough today.

“We didn’t show enough to make the difference. We were not decisive enough. We had enough moments to be there, but we didn’t make enough of the right choices.

“It’s normal [the fans are] unhappy. I’m also unhappy we didn’t take the three points. I know I’m the face of the team, it’s part of my job.”

Docherty: I’m really proud of the players

Dundee manager Tony Docherty:

“That was such a strong team performance, taking into consideration we have 10 players out.

“Against the ball we were fantastic and we carried a real goal threat. I’m really disappointed with the goal, I need to see it back but I think it was a penalty.

“It was such a clumsy challenge from their defender and Simon Murray goes down. We don’t react to that second phase though.

“We had a great move to get the offside goal and I thought we were actually going to win at the death.

“I’m really proud of the players, I’m tinged with a bit of disappointment, but of course I’m happy with a point against Rangers. I need to be pleased with it.”

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