Rangers' struggles continued as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Dundee in the Scottish Premiership at Dens Park. This disappointing result leaves Rangers languishing 15 points behind league leaders Celtic, raising concerns about their title aspirations. The match, played before an attendance of 8,606 on a freezing night in Tayside, underscored Rangers' ongoing difficulties, particularly in away fixtures.
Dundee seized an early advantage when Oluwaseun Adewumi scored the opening goal just six minutes into the match. The home side's defense, bolstered by a late entry from Lyall Cameron due to injuries, managed to frustrate Rangers for much of the game. Despite Rangers' attempts to break through, they struggled against a resolute Dundee backline.
Rangers began to find their footing in the first half, leveling the score in the 34th minute through Vaclav Cerny, who netted his 11th goal of the season. Cerny's goal offered a glimmer of hope but did little to change the course of the match. The visitors dominated possession but failed to convert it into clear chances, reflecting a lack of creativity and urgency in attack.
The absence of key players such as Jack Butland, James Tavernier, and Leon Balogun due to injuries and suspensions hampered Rangers' performance significantly. Clinton Nsiala made his first senior start for the club, stepping into a makeshift defense that struggled to cope with Dundee's counter-attacks.
Philippe Clement, the Rangers manager, expressed his dissatisfaction with the team's performance after the match. He acknowledged the fans' displeasure and noted that he shared their frustration.
"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." – Philippe Clement
Despite controlling possession, Rangers created few clear-cut chances throughout the match. Their inability to convert opportunities into goals has become a growing concern. Mohamed Diomande came close to securing a win with a powerful drive from 25 yards in the 88th minute, but his shot struck the woodwork, sealing Rangers' fate for the evening.
In contrast, Dundee's defense remained steadfast under pressure, consistently thwarting Rangers' attacking efforts. Tony Docherty, Dundee's manager, praised his team's defensive performance while expressing disappointment over conceding.
"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." – Tony Docherty
Rangers' away league performance has been underwhelming this season, with only three victories in ten league fixtures away from Ibrox. This latest draw adds to their woes and emphasizes the need for Clement to address the team's shortcomings in the upcoming transfer window.
As the season progresses, pressure mounts on Clement to rejuvenate a squad that has struggled to find consistent form. With key players sidelined and an increasing gap between them and Celtic, decisive action may be required to rekindle their title hopes.
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