Rangers escaped with a point thanks to James Tavernier’s 90th-minute penalty, but this was another Premiership afternoon that raised more questions than answers for Russell Martin’s side.
Here are the main talking points:
Same XI, Different Energy
Martin stuck with the same team that impressed in Europe on Tuesday night, but the tempo and conviction were nowhere to be seen.
Rangers played almost entirely in front of Dundee, with slow, predictable build-up.
Dundee’s Set-Piece Threat
Dundee twice hit the post from corners in the first half and took the lead when Ryan Astley’s looping header from a free-kick sailed over Butland.
Rangers looked fragile every time the ball came into their box from both corners and free kicks.
Djiga’s Red Card Changes the Game
Already trailing, Rangers’ task became even harder when Nasser Djiga was shown a straight red for pulling down Robertson.
Down to ten, any glimpse attacking cohesion disappeared.
The on-loan Wolves defender has been our best defender so far this season, he will now miss the Old Firm should we go ahead with our planned postponement of our away fixture with St Mirren, changing the outlook of the game.
Options to come in include the raw untested Emmanuel Fernandez, Tavernier at centre-back or an unlikely return for out of favour trio Leon King, Ben Davies or Clinton Nsiala unless a new central defender is recruited.
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Tavpen Strikes Again
Just when defeat looked certain, Djeidi Gassama was fouled in the box and Tavernier dispatched the spot-kick.
VAR denied Dessers a stoppage-time winner, but the penalty ensured Rangers avoided a first defeat under Martin.
Premiership Form Still a Problem
This was another example of Rangers looking flat and uninspired domestically. The intensity required for Martin’s system simply wasn’t there, and with a trip to Czechia up next and the Old Firm looming, the pressure is building to find consistency.