Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
NOW IT’S LOOKING DUN AND DUSTED
New Gers slip up at wrong time in title race may be very costly
BY
THE Dens Park pitch has spent most of recent weeks under water but it and Dundee managed to drain even more life out of Rangers’ title dream last night.
Philippe Clement’s men have lost form at the wrong time and it could prove costly.
This was their game in hand and the chance to cut Celtic’s lead to just one point – but instead they fluffed their lines and had to settle for a point after losing in Dingwall on Sunday afternoon.
A season that promised so much is now in danger of ending badly with Celtic in the Premiership driving seat.
The Hoops have a three-point lead going into the split and Rangers have to find a way to claw that back in the run-in. You wouldn’t bet on them on current form.
They have picked up just two points from the last nine. It is also just two wins in the last eight games in all competitions.
Clement wanted a reaction after the Dingwall disaster but didn’t get one. His team now face Hearts in the Scottish Cup semi-finals on Sunday.
Steven Naismith and his Hearts players, if they were watching this, will certainly be fancying their chances.
Credit Tony Docherty and Dundee who performed superbly and had a great shape.
This game was finally on at the third attempt. The Dens Park pitch had twice been deemed unplayable just hours before kick-off.
The call-offs had brought some stinging criticism from Clement on the damage it was doing to the reputation of Scotland’s top flight.
But the damage to their own title bid has been self-inflicted.
The Ibrox boss made three changes after their Dingwall defeat with Borna Barisic, Kieran Dowell and Cyriel Dessers dropped to the bench.
Kemar Roofe came in for his first start since December while Dujon Sterling and Tom
Lawrence also got the nod. The Rangers defence had come under fire at the weekend and Dundee were keen to test them from the off.
Malachi Boateng fired a shot across the face after a poor clearance from the Ibrox men in just the first minute.
The home fans were left fuming as Gers played on with Dark Blues captain Joe Shaughnessy down injured.
Roofe headed wide before the defender was replaced by Antonio Portales.
Rangers tried to challenge the new backline immediately. Todd Cantwell put a good ball through and Abdallah Sima used his pace to burst clear but Jon Mccracken came off his line to make a decent block with his leg.
Dundee continued to play the better stuff in the first 20 minutes. The attacking trident of Lyall Cameron, Luke Mccowan and Scott Tiffoney were a constant threat.
Jack Butland pushed a Jordan Mcghee shot wide and the England cap then made a double save to keep out a Mccowan free kick and a follow-up from Tiffoney. Amdadou Bakayoko eventually netted but was flagged offside and VAR agreed.
Rangers did eventually come to life just before the half-hour. A James Tavernier free kick from distance forced Mccracken to tip behind.
The Rangers captain took the corner but Connor Goldson’s header was straight at Mccracken.
Clement (below) knew he needed more and Dessers, Dowell and Rabbi Matondo came on for Roofe, Cantwell and Silva, who had all been pretty underwhelming.
Dundee had a rare sight of goal when man of the match Mccowan let fly from distance but John Souttar blocked bravely and was left grounded for his troubles.
Dessers did give Gers a bit of hope with a solo run and shot that Mccracken did well to tip wide.
Tavernier had a late free kick chance but his effort went just over.
Rangers players were booed off by an angry mob behind the goal but Dundee’s players took the acclaim from their support and rightly so.