Jack Butland awful, James Tavernier magical - Rangers ratings in wild win v Dundee

03/29/2025 03:40 PM

Rangers had Cyriel Dessers to thank for rescuing a win from the chaotic 4-3 victory over Dundee.

Dundee took a stunning opening lead with just 90 seconds on the clock, as Simon Murray guided a Finnlay Robertson cross past Jack Butland.

The English goalkeeper made an absolute hash of dealing with a simple header from Joe Shaughnessy, fumbling a simple header from the Dundee captain into a dangerous area, with the Irish defender following up on his own effort to double their lead.

Dundee’s captain proved himself a goal-scoring threat once again, this time however, at the wrong end, as he misread a cross from James Tavernier and sliced into his own net to give Rangers a lifeline back into the match.

With the Light Blues looking for an equaliser, it was the Dark Blues who struck next. John Souttar inexplicably threw himself headfirst into a challenge, missing the ball completely, creating a gaping hole in the Gers’ defence which Scott Tiffoney exploited, firing past a hapless Butland.

Having seen too many chances wasted by his strikers, captain Tavernier decided to do it himself, hitting a wonderful effort past Gordon in the 75th minute to make it 3-2.

The comeback was completed when substitute Lawrence scored a fine strike from the outside of the box in the 81st minute.

With the match reaching a frenetic culmination, Murray saw his effort crash against the post for Dundee in the 90th minute, just three minutes later, Dessers finally found the back of the net with his 10th attempt on goal to steal a win.

Barry Ferguson watches his side win chaotic game vs Dundee

Jack Butland – 2

The Englishman’s poor positioning for the first goal may be ignored, as he then presented Dundee’s second goal on a plate to Shaughnessy. Had the Dark Blues been more clinical in front of goal, they could have scored four or five.

James Tavernier – 9 – Player-of-the-Match

Lovely whipped cross caused Dundee’s captain to put the ball into the back of his own net, but too many of Tavernier’s crosses were wasted by his teammates. Took matters into his own hands by scoring a fabulous effort to pull another goal back for the Bears.

Dujon Sterling – 5

Slightly better performance than his other defensive partners, if only marginally so. Sterling looked uncomfortable, perhaps as a consequence of Butland’s errors.

John Souttar makes inexplicable decision in defence

John Souttar – 3

Hard to understand what the centre-half was thinking when he threw himself into the challenge that resulted in Dundee’s third goal, nervy and unpredictable are two traits you don’t want from a central-defender, yet Souttar displayed both against the Dark Blues.

Leon Balogun (off for Hagi 46′) – 4

Taken off at half-time after a poor performance, Rangers needed a goal and one of the centre-backs needed to be removed, Balogun was the unfortunate scapegoat.

Ridvan Yilmaz (off for Jefte 61′) – 4

Rangers fans were frustrated to see an offer for Yilmaz rejected in January, the left-back was substituted after another poor performance for the Bears.

Connor Barron (off for Rice 46′) – 5

Not the worst performer on the night, but failed to impose himself on the game, leading to Ferguson making a change at half-time.

Nico Raskin runs the show in Rangers’ midfield

Nico Raskin – 8

Raskin may be on his way to the Premier League soon, the Belgian was brilliant for Rangers against Dundee, but much like Diomande, was routinely let down by his teammates inadequacies.

Mohamed Diomande (off for Lawrence 74′) – 7

Created plenty of chances, tidy on the ball, a neat dribbler, but his strikers failed to make the most of the Ivorian’s creativity.

Hamza Igamane (off for Danilo 64′) – 6

Good movement, linked up well with Dessers, worked hard for his side, but ultimately the lack of end product in front of goal defined his, and Rangers’ night.

Cyriel Dessers – 6

Plenty of chances, all of them wasted, until the final one. The Nigerian striker was woeful in front of goal for the Bears but the forward finally redeemed himself in the dying moments. Rangers are open to offers for Dessers but his goal may change the minds of the Rangers hierarchy.

Cyriel Dessers scores winner on wild afternoon

Substitutes

Ianis Hagi (on for Balogun 46′) – 4

Hagi’s future at Rangers is still up in the air, but the Romanian did little to prove he deserves a new deal after a disappointing showing against the Dark Blues.

Bailey Rice (on for Barron 46′) – 6

Tidy on the ball and won his fair share of tackles in the midfield battle.

Jefte (on for Yilmaz 61′) – 7

A marked improvement on what Yilmaz offered in the first hour, definitely in-line to feature more in the coming weeks.

Danilo (on for Igamane 64′) – 7

Assisted Tavernier’s goal and was lively off the bench.

Tom Lawrence (on for Diomande 74′) – 7

Scored the all-important equaliser off the bench, added end product to the side with his introduction.

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