Rangers slumped to a hugely disappointing 1–1 draw with Dundee at Ibrox, dropping another two points in what is now their worst start to a league campaign in 35 years. With just two points from a possible six, Russell Martin’s side are already playing catch-up in the Premiership title race — and the manner of this result will leave fans concerned.
From European High to Domestic Low
Fresh from an impressive Champions League victory over Viktoria Plzen, Martin named an unchanged starting XI. But the intensity and sharpness that shone in midweek were nowhere to be seen.
Rangers dominated the ball but moved it far too slowly, allowing Dundee to sit in, absorb pressure, and grow in belief. At times, it felt like the visitors were playing a 5-5-0 formation — every outfield player camped behind the ball, no attacking ambition beyond set-pieces. Yet Rangers still couldn’t find a way through, and the lack of invention was glaring.
Set-Piece Slip and Red Card Trouble
If there’s one thing Rangers should expect from Premiership opponents, it’s the set-piece bombardment. Most sides will park almost their entire team behind the ball, then aim to exploit free-kicks, corners, and long throws to cause chaos in the box. Yet, despite this being no surprise, Rangers continue to look vulnerable in the air, with almost every high ball sparking panic.
The warning signs were there in the first half — twice Dundee deliveries caused confusion, with the ball ricocheting dangerously off the Rangers post. Those moments weren’t heeded, and the inevitable happened early in the second half.
For the goal, Dundee overloaded Jefte at the back post with three players, all with a strong chance of winning the aerial duel. Instead of reacting to this mismatch and helping their young left-back, the rest of the Rangers backline held their positions, leaving him badly exposed. John Souttar even flagged the danger before the free-kick was taken, but as captain for the day, his only action was to raise an arm and point — no reorganisation, no shift in marking, and no prevention of what was about to unfold. Ryan Astley’s looping header punished that lack of defensive leadership.
The situation worsened minutes later when Nasser Djiga saw red for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, leaving Rangers with ten men and a mountain to climb.
Boos Ring Out Over Substitutions
When Martin made his first changes — replacing Lyall Cameron and Mohamed Diomande with Nicolas Raskin and Kieran Dowell — the boos that rang around Ibrox were directed squarely at Dowell.
After the match, Martin defended the midfielder in his press conference, praising his commitment, work ethic, and performances in training. But the problem for Dowell is that the fans had made up their minds months ago, before he moved to Birmingham City on loan.
On his return, he was deployed on the right wing — not a natural position for him — and his performances reflected the discomfort. For many supporters, there is no way back. While the manager may have given him a clean slate, the fans have not, and the more Dowell is played without results improving, the more pressure will land on Martin himself.
Was Dowell ever likely to change the game yesterday? No. And that’s why the reaction was so sharp. At 1–0 down at Ibrox, watching a pathetic performance from your team, the manager turns to a player who is well and truly out of favour. This is exactly the sort of decision that will draw that kind of reaction — rightly or wrongly.
VAR Frustration and Dessers’ Costly Offside
James Tavernier’s stoppage-time penalty finally brought Rangers level, setting the stage for a dramatic late push. Cyriel Dessers then found the net in what would have been the winner — only for VAR to rule him offside.
The frustration wasn’t just about the flag going up. In the dying moments of a must-win game, Dessers had been caught ball-watching instead of staying alert and onside. It summed up a performance lacking in sharpness and focus.
While Martin praised his side’s aggressive push in the final moments, the reality is that if Rangers had started the match with that same urgency and intent, Dundee would have been put to bed long before stoppage time.
The “Horse-Shoe of Death” Returns
One of the biggest fears among the fanbase when Russell Martin’s possession-based style was introduced was the dreaded “horse-shoe of death” — endless passing around the back line in a semi-circle, with little pace, penetration, or forward threat. The idea is to move the ball and create space, which can work when opponents try to press. But Dundee never came out yesterday; they sat deep, played for the odd set-piece, and Rangers played straight into their hands.
If Rangers want to pass a team to death in Scotland, it must be done with aggression and intent — moving the ball forward at every opportunity, flooding the box, and forcing mistakes. Instead, Dundee set up camp inside their own penalty area and would probably still be there now if the referee hadn’t blown for full time.
Union Bears’ TIFO the Highlight of the Day
In truth, the most memorable moment came before the match even kicked off. The Union Bears unveiled an outstanding TIFO in the Copland Stand — a Rangers fan at a slot machine with the SPFL trophy showing on the reels — perfectly timed with “Penny Arcade” ringing out around Ibrox. It was a brilliant display that drew huge applause and set the tone for what should have been a dominant home performance.
Credit to the Union Bears: these displays, alongside the relentless noise they bring, add so much to the Ibrox atmosphere. Sadly, on this occasion, the TIFO proved to be the high point of the afternoon.
Fans Lose Patience
The boos and jeers weren’t just about one substitution — they reflected a growing concern that, despite European progress, domestic performances aren’t matching expectations.
Martin admitted his side were “lethargic” and accepted some responsibility for tactical choices, but with a title challenge the minimum expectation, the pressure is now firmly on.
Looking Ahead
Rangers now face a critical period with Champions League qualifiers still in play and the gap at the top of the league already growing. The Dundee result is more than just a blip — it’s an early warning sign that the standards required to win the Premiership have not yet been met.
The scheduling picture only makes things more concerning. Rangers have postponed their league fixture against St Mirren if they qualify for the Champions League play-off round, while Celtic have not. If the other side of Glasgow pick up maximum points from their matches, it’s entirely possible that Rangers could walk into the first Old Firm game at Ibrox ten points behind their rivals — having played just three Premiership matches. That kind of gap so early in the season would put enormous pressure on Russell Martin and his players, making every domestic slip-up even more costly.
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