SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP MINUS DEE

Rangers fail to make grade again at Dens & lose even more ground to leaders Celtic

RANGERS spent four days counting the cost of another red card at Pittodrie.

But a miserable afternoon proved that even if Steven Gerrard’s men are suffering from the affects of dismissals, they’re incapable of profiting when they’re dished out to rivals. Despite Dundee being reduced to 10 men for over 70 minutes after Nathan Ralph was sent-off, Rangers fell flat and turned in a miserable show. In the end a Kenny Miller strike equalised by a brilliant Andy Halliday free-kick saw the spoils shared.

Missing the drive of Scott Arfield and the goals of Alfredo Morelos (right) due to suspension, Gerrard’s side could not lay a glove on a Dee backline who defended for their lives.

Rangers will point to a glaring error made when Kyle Lafferty’s goal was incorrectly flagged offside in the 32nd minute.

But in truth, Rangers huffed and puffed for the whole game.

Unfortunately for Gerrard his centre-halves were also jittery and a moment of hesitation gifted Dundee the chance to take an early lead.

There appeared to be little danger as

Ralph whipped a long ball into the

Rangers half in the ninth minute.

But neither Joe

Worrall or Connor Goldson took command of the situation and the ever alert Miller was quick to latch onto their hesitancy.

With Allan Mcgregor left in no man’s land due to the dithering of his defensive mates, Miller cleverly poked the ball past the keeper and the Rangers inquest began. Lafferty almost nicked a goal from chasing down Jack Hamilton in the Dundee goal but on 19 minutes Dundee’s failure to adequately clear their lines gave Rangers an unexpected route back into it.

Paul Mcgowan lost possession and Ryan Kent darted towards the box before rolling the ball across for Daniel Candeias. The Portuguese was too sharp for Ralph who lunged in recklessly with a shin-high tackle and ref Alan Muir was quick to award the free-kick and brandish a red card.

Halliday placed the ball and then stepped up to crack a fizzing effort into the postage stamp.

Now it was Dundee who had serious questions to answer.

Down to 10 men and with Rangers’ tails up it promised to be a long afternoon for the home side.

But they refused to cave in with Andrew Boyle and Genseric Kusunga heroic at the heart of the defence.

Rangers – running short of key players – will surely be just as concerned at how they ran out of ideas.

THROUGH THE MILL Kenny Miller’s goal denied Rangers all three points and applauds fans going off ALL UPS & DOWNS Kenny Miller opens the scoring before Halliday levels