Rangers continued their poor run of form away from home in the Scottish Premiership with a 1-1 draw at Dundee, who fell 15 points behind leaders Celtic.
The Light Blues started the game with just three wins in 10 league games away from Ibrox, who lost their title hopes, and they fell behind in the sixth minute when attacking midfielder Oluasun Adewumi took advantage of poor defending to put the hosts ahead.
Gers winger Vaclav Cerny equalized with Gers’ first strike in the 34th minute, but there was no improvement from an inconsistent Govan side on a freezing night on Tayside and a laborious, uninspiring performance against Tony Docherty’s spirited Dark Blues outfit, they are a long way from their Old Firm rivals call it a title race.
Dundee’s Oluasew Adewumi celebrates after scoring
It was more ammunition for those who believe Philippe Clement’s time at Ibrox must be over; the fans certainly let the players know their feelings at the end and he needs to do something positive in the transfer window to prevent further pressure on his shoulders.
Following the 3-3 draw against Hibernian at Easter Road at the weekend, Clement was once again forced to deepen his squad due to injury and suspension.
Key players such as Jack Butland, James Tavernier, Leon Balogun, Neraisho Casanviryo, John Souttar and Dujon Sterling were absent due to various ailments, while midfielder Nico Ruskin was suspended, with Conor Barron taking his place.
Rangers conceded first at Dens Park
French defender Clinton Nsiala, a 20-year-old defender who signed from AC Milan in the summer, made his first start in the Gers’ makeshift defence.
Dundee star midfielder Lyall Cameron is a late addition to Docherty’s long list of 10 absentees.
Aaron Donnelly, who was signed from Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, started straight away, 19-year-old midfielder Cesar Garza made his first start and Ethan Ingram returned.
Clement was keen to stress that Nsiala’s inclusion was “not a test” for Sterling, but he was as sloppy as the rest of the Gers’ backs in Dundee’s opener.
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Dundee midfielder Oluasu Adewumi stunned Rangers with an early brace to give the hosts the lead.
The visitors were unable to overcome their first real moment of pressure and when Scott Tiffoni’s shot was blocked, Josh Mulligan moved quickly to win the ball back for 19-year-old Adewumi, on loan from Burnley, whose shot from eight yards beat Gers keeper Liam Kelly.
A shaken Rangers side looked nervous when the ball entered the box and they were equally unconvincing going forward.
Vaclav Cerny celebrates 1-1 after scoring
However, Dundee’s defense was breached when Gers striker Hamza Igamane brought Cerny down in the box and the Czech winger, on loan from Wolfsburg, steadied himself before drilling the ball through Carson’s legs for his 11th goal of the season. Gers supporters were delighted that Nsiala’s challenge on Simon Murray inside the Gers box moments earlier went unpunished.
Clement replaced Yiannis Hagi with Rabbi Matondo early in the second half and he helped Dundee pull one back, while Carson saved Cerni’s shot in the 56th minute after panic in the home defence.
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Vaclav Cerny completed the devastating move to draw Rangers level with Dundee
Rangers left-back Jefte, who was booked for a first-half foul on Tifony, tripped the Dundee man on the touchline but no foul was called to the frustration of the home side, who then saw Adewumi strike in the 65th minute from Murray’s cross. only to be ruled offside.
Clement brought on Brazilian striker Danilo for the Barons, a positive change, but it was still a struggle to break down the dark blues’ resolute defence.
Carson parried Igaman’s powerful drive to safety in the 72nd minute, before Adewumi fired high over the bar at the other end moments later before forcing a save from Kelly after a run.
With four minutes remaining Rangers midfielder Mohamed Diomande hit the woodwork from 25 yards and there was more pressure but no goals in what was yet another poor away game for Rangers who should hope some reinforcements come in the January transfer window.
