Rangers escaped with a point at Ibrox after a flat, disjointed display against Dundee, with a James Tavernier penalty salvaging a draw in stoppage time on a day when Russell Martin’s side were second best.
The Dees have been unconvincing so far this season under new boss Steven Pressley, losing to lower league opposition in the Premier Sports Cup and were unconvincing in their league opener against Hibernian, losing 2-1.
Martin named an unchanged XI from Tuesday’s impressive European showing, but any momentum was lost in a lethargic first half.
Rangers dominated possession without penetration, Cyriel spurning the best opening when he failed to convert Djeidi Gassama’s cross. Dundee carried the greater threat from set pieces, hitting the post twice before the break.
The hosts were punished on 52 minutes when Ryan Astley’s looping header from a free-kick beat Jack Butland.
Things worsened for Rangers seven minutes later as Nasser Djiga was shown a straight red for hauling down Robertson.
The defender was the last man but there did not seem to be much contact in the foul but that’s the risk you play when you let the forward away from you.
The Wolves loanee will now miss the old firm match on the 31st should we go through with the planned postponement of our next league match away to St Mirren.
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With little structure or intensity, Rangers looked beaten until the 90th minute, when Gassama was fouled in the box and Tavernier converted from the spot.
Dessers thought he’d won it deep into stoppage time, but VAR ruled him offside after a check.
A point feels more like a let-off than a recovery. Martin’s side remain unconvincing domestically, their lack of pace, leadership and conviction again laid bare ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Czechia to face Viktoria Plzen in our UEFA Champions League third qualifying round second leg.