Rangers have one job and one job only tonight against Dundee, and that’s to win, an improvement in performance is a given after the shambles we saw in Dingwall, but the result is all that matters.
Gers boss Philippe Clement explained what went wrong against Ross County and he will be looking for a reaction from his squad tonight.
With the chance to close the gap to just one point ahead of the split, Rangers no longer have any room for error and three points against Dundee is a must – this is who the manager has picked for the fourth trip to Tayside.
Rangers v Dundee – Team news
With seven goals conceded in the last three games, it’s not been a good time for the defence, however, it’s not all been the fault of the back four.
Ridvan Yilmaz is still unavailable and Borna Barisic was hooked early in the second half against Ross County.
It’s a problem that the gaffer could do without.
If only we could play Dujon Sterling in three different positions at the same time but tonight he’s back at left-back.
The biggest problem that Clement alluded to is that we have become shapeless in transition.
Part of this is down to the midfield and a lack of awareness in recent weeks that has seen opposition teams attack down our flanks as soon as they gain possession.
Whether it is John Lundstram or the full-backs, someone has to take charge in these situations.
Committing too many bodies forward will cost us at the other end of the park.
It isn’t a surprise to see Clement change things for tonight given the events of our last few games and with Mohamed Diomande still not fit.
In the forward line, Rabbi Matondo can feel most hard done to given that he has looked like a threat whenever he has played.
He also has the pace needed to press more aggressively and, at least, give defenders something to be worried about, however, he has to make do with a place on the bench.
The same applies to Abdallah Sima and our chances of success could come down to how much joy he has on the right.
Rangers were always going to need a 2024 version of Kyle Lafferty to step forward but with Cyriel Dessers missing the type of chance that he did at the weekend, it looks like we are going to have to do it the hard way.
Despite his issues with fitness, it isn’t really much of a surprise to see Kemar Roofe recalled to the starting line-up, he remains our best finisher.
This is who the gaffer has picked as Rangers face Dundee at the Scott Foam Stadium:
Just win.
It’s that time of the season and that stage of the competition.
Against Ross County we got the first goal and from there we should have kicked on, gained control and dominated.
Instead, despite Clement warning his team at half-time, we came out looking even worse.
Dundee are a better team that Ross County and are in the top six on merit, a repeat performance and it will be a long road home.
