Gers star the hero and villain as comeback kings Rangers stun Dundee: five things we learned
03/29/2025 03:59 PM
Rangers have recorded a dramatic last-minute victory over Dundee in the Scottish Premiership after a frenetic seven-goal thriller at Dens Park.
The Gers had fallen 2-0 behind early on in the Scottish Premiership clash after Simon Murray gave Dundee an early lead and Joe Shaughnessy scored a second before the 20th minute.
A Shaughnessy own goal offered Rangers a life-line on the brink of half-time before Cyriel Dessers had an equaliser ruled out early on in the second period.
Scott Tiffoney then put Dundee 3-1 ahead in the game but Rangers staged a stunning late comeback to turn the game around.
James Tavernier thumped in a beautiful long-range drive to make it 3-2 before Tom Lawrence hit a low long-range strike of his own.
Dessers – who spurned a host of chances throughout the match – then popped up in the final moments of the game to score the winner.
Here's five things we learned.
Rangers show character after disastrous start
As referenced by Ian Crocker, this is the first time since the mid-1980s that Rangers have conceded two goals or more for five matches in a row.
Rangers once again gave themselves everything to do at Dens Park in the end with Barry Ferguson's side finding themselves 2-0 down within the first 19 minutes.
Ferguson managed to motivate the Rangers team to a comeback against Kilmarnock and the interim Rangers manager has done so again in the City of Discovery.
But this a Rangers team who do not deal with aggression well enough in the early stages and too often give themselves a mountain to climb.
They showed huge character to bring the score back to 4-3 but the club's stuttering start to matches remains a real cause for concern.
Major questions over Jack Butland after Dundee win
Jack Butland praised Allan McGregor ahead of the game, claiming the Rangers legend's influence has had a big impact at Auchenhowie.
Neil McCann claims McGregor is in charge of goalkeepers and the Rangers hero would've been watching on through the cracks in his fingers when Dundee scored their second goal.
There have been major questions about Butland's performances at Rangers this season and there are even more following the defeat at Dens Park.
Butland fumbled the ball into the path of Joe Shaughnessy for the Dundee captain to double the Dee's lead and leave the Gers scrambling.
The 31-year-old was eventually bailed out by his Rangers teammates at Dens Park but Butland has been less than convincing this season.
Cyriel Dessers the hero & villain at Dens Park
Rangers fans are used to Cyriel Dessers missing big chances at the club but even by the Nigerian international's immense standards his display v Dundee will have stunned them.
Dessers could've easily had a first half hat-trick and despite showing quality to fashion opportunities, routinely hit the ball straight at the Dundee goalkeeper.
The striker thought he'd avenged those first-half misses with an early equaliser in the second half, only for replays to prove the hitman was offside after moving too early.
Dessers' profligate finishing continued into the second half with a series of spurned opportunities before a stunning last minute winner at Dens Park.
Producing an impressive finish to tap the ball past Scott Carson, the trip to Dundee is a match which pretty much sums up the hitman's bipolar time in Glasgow with Dessers having 11 shots on goal in total.
Rangers stars step up in absence of Vaclav Cerny
Barry Ferguson won't be accepting it as an excuse but Rangers looked to be feeling the after effects of a busy international break.
There were no fewer than 12 Rangers players out on international duty across the globe with several involved in the comeback victory over Dundee.
Injuries had impacted the club before the match, with Vaclav Cerny picking up a hamstring injury whilst out with the Czech Republic.
Ferguson described the absence of the Czech winger as 'disappointing' and whilst Rangers shouldn't need Cerny v Dundee, the point stands.
Cerny's matchwinning quality and his leadership has become a feature of Rangers' game and the Gers team felt the impact of the hitman's absence.
But with the likes of Tom Lawrence stepping up in the attacker's absence, Rangers found a way to overcome.
Jury remains out over Barry Ferguson's full-time credentials
Barry Ferguson continues his Rangers manager audition with another spirited fightback against Dundee.
But for all the gaffer's never-say-die spirit is buoying the Rangers team, Ferguson will need to show more stability if he is to convince the club's new US owners that he is man to lead the club full-time.
Rangers are definitely much more resolute under Ferguson but the team continues to concede early goals and struggles with the challenge of playing in Scotland.
Fergie's team showed character but after yet another frenetic match, Rangers fans will be hoping for a tad more composure in the weeks to come.
