Wighton plans to pounce on weakness in Ibrox defence
CRAIG WIGHTON insists Dundee will aim to play on the nerves of Rangers’ under-fire central defenders tomorrow afternoon.
The Ibrox outfit have been unable to establish a consistent and effective partnership at the heart of their backline this season.
Rob Kiernan was dropped by former manager Mark Warburton in the wake of a 4-1 thrashing at Hearts earlier this month, while Philippe Senderos endured an error-strewn 90 minutes in last weekend’s narrow Scottish Cup victory over Morton.
Wighton admitted those struggles certainly haven’t gone unnoticed at Dens Park as Paul Hartley’s side prepare to welcome Rangers.
‘When you look at the Rangers team, centre-half is maybe where they are weakest,’ claimed the 19-year-old forward.
‘They haven’t had a steady partnership all season. It has changed a bit and it has been one in, one out a lot of weeks. So we will look to exploit that and try to get in behind them.
‘They obviously have quality in their squad, but they are under pressure — and hopefully we can use that to our advantage.
‘Morton did well against them last weekend and had chances to score towards the end.
‘They definitely got at the Rangers centre-halves. I thought they looked nervous at times against Morton, so it’s definitely an area where we will look to commit them as much as we can.’
Warburton’s exit eight days ago has left Rangers in a state of flux as they continue their hunt for a new management team. Under-20s coach Graeme Murty will remain in caretaker charge against Dundee.
Wighton hopes that his side can take full advantage of a positive home record in the Premiership to add to the issues their visitors have experienced on the road.
‘There is obviously a lot going on at Rangers, but it’s about what we do on Sunday,’ he argued. ‘Their fans have been getting on their backs, so there’s pressure on them, whereas there’s no pressure on us really.
‘If we start the game well, then their fans will get on top of them, so we have to try to score first.
‘Rangers will come here expected to win the game, so we can just go out and enjoy it.
‘We believe we have the players here to beat them, so we’re looking forward to it.
‘Our home record this season has been good and I don’t think Rangers have been too good away from home.
‘Our form has definitely picked up at Dens. The fans have been great in backing us because they can see how we’ve improved our home form.
‘Someone told me we haven’t lost a home game in the league since October. That is a decent record, so we want to keep that going.
‘We just have to focus on the manager’s gameplan, make sure we do our jobs properly and take it from there.’
Depending on other results this weekend, Dundee could move into the top half of the Premiership with a draw or victory tomorrow afternoon.
‘There are five or six teams all grouped together who can’t get away from the bottom, but can’t get clear into the top six either,’ said Wighton.
‘It’s a weird position to be in, but it’s the same for the other teams round about it. ‘Who gets into the top six will be the one who manages to get consistent and rack up a few victories in a row.
‘We have a lot of big games coming up and we’re at home against some of the top teams in the next few weeks.
‘So with us being stronger at home we’re hoping to have a good run into the split.’