For Rangers, the Dundee result was disappointing rather than damaging. As long as certain issues are addressed immediately.
Too many players had an off night in the City of Discovery. A team can generally carry two or three players under par, but not six or seven.
That description is being generous to Derek McInnes’ team after the 2-2 draw at Dens Park.
Rangers should have gone into the game at full throttle, after a week’s preparation following the Kilmarnock game. The 3-1 win was laboured, coming straight after the international break but there were no excuses this time around.
Here are three warnings that Rangers must address going into the St. Johnstone game next Saturday at Ibrox.
Mistakes make things difficult for Rangers
Mistakes will happen from time to time. The players are human, after all.
However, these errors often come from poor decision-making. That was the case for Dundee’s second goal in particular.
Whatever it is. Sharpness, decisions, desire…it needs to be on point.
Dujon Sterling dithered and it’s not like him. His mistake was punished.
For the second, Dan Neil was very bad, but Nico Raskin and Manny Fernandez also contributed to that mess.
Mistakes were the reason Rangers dropped points in this game.
Gers numbers must improve
On Saturday at Dundee, Rangers had nine shots on target. Two were deemed ‘big chances’.
Rangers had an xG of 1.80 against Dundee.
That should have been enough to see the game through, but for bad defending.
However, there is doubt that Rangers are creating enough, especially in games like this.
Ryan Naderi struggled as the loan front man, but where else are the numbers coming from?
Badredine Bouanani was very good in spells, while Minsu Kim had a great period in the second half. Djeidi Gassama flattered to deceive, but finished the game, unlike the other two.
When it mattered, at 2-2, Rangers’ response wasn’t good enough. The desire and will to win must improve.
Find a way, or fail again
Derek McInnes can’t afford for his team to fall into a similar pattern.
That is beating Celtic, but not getting the business done against the rest.
The recent winning run has ended. Now the team must go again.
Starting against St Johnstone at Ibrox on Saturday, they must show they have what it takes to answer the critics and to win crucial games when the going gets tough, like at Dundee.
It is still eight games unbeaten since Jablonec, but too many draws will throw the title bid off course.
Rangers must find a way to win the ugly games, or they will fail again.
The disappointing thing is that the Dundee game was there for the taking. Two points thrown away from a winning position, even against a very decent opponent in Stephen Pressley’s side.
You have to capitalise when on top, or show the resolve to get ahead. Rangers didn’t. That must change going forward.
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