Danny Röhl insisted Rangers showed clear signs of attacking progress despite leaving Tannadice with only a point, as Nedim Bajrami’s stoppage-time penalty spared his side from a first Premiership defeat under the German coach.
Rangers created a raft of chances but, once again, defensive lapses and missed opportunities cost them dearly. Still, Röhl maintained that the performance represented a meaningful step forward from Sunday’s goalless stalemate with Falkirk.
He said: “We fight until the end – the team deserves credit”
Reflecting on the 2–2 draw, Röhl opened by praising the attitude and persistence of his players.
“A big compliment to my team, because we fight until the end to get a fully deserved point,” he said.
“We have to win this game, because we created so many chances. But today we missed those big chances we had.”
The manager stressed that while the result was disappointing, the manner of Rangers play - particularly their speed and decision making in the final third - showed a clear improvement.
He explained: “When I compare today's performance to the Falkirk game and how quickly we played forward, how often we broke the last line, how many chances we created, that was a next step forward.
“We wanted to win this game, but I cannot blame my team today.”
Röhl had demanded more creativity and threat after Sunday’s flat display, and he felt he got exactly that in Dundee.
“We came today in four or five situations where we had one-against-one with the goalkeeper. That is part of the story,” he explained.
“But of course, against such opponents you have to be very clear in defence. Every small mistake and they wait for one moment.”
The manager also expressed frustration at the build-up to United’s second goal, claiming the preceding corner should never have stood.
“The corner should not have been allowed - it was a clear offside. I’m not looking for excuses, but I can see what happened.
“It was not the big step, because a big step is a win, but how we played was much, much better.”
For all the attacking improvement, Röhl was candid about the nature of the goals conceded - both of which he described as avoidable.
“The 1–0 is too easy. It’s a running duel, we stay behind, wait for the pass, and go into a one-against-one situation, and we have to support each other,” he said.
“The second goal - we defended the corner twice well, but then it's a good dribbling and we don’t get into the duel.
“When you have to come back twice in such a game, it’s tough.”
Röhl reiterated that the overall direction of play was positive, even if the scoreboard did not reflect it.
He said: “It’s not the step we want, but it is a step forward in the direction we want to play.”
The German coach praised the mentality of his players but stressed that Rangers must learn to convert dominance into victories.
“I saw a team trying to bring all the things from the meeting onto the pitch - play quicker, find more spaces,” Röhl said.
“But we have to be ruthless when we are in front of goal, we have to take something.
“A win would have been completely deserved today.”
He urged his squad to regroup quickly ahead of Saturday’s trip to Rugby Park.
“Step by step, we keep moving forward. I want to see a team wake up, stand up and go again against Kilmarnock.
“We are looking forward to it.”