‘This is the one’ – Forget Celtic and Fenerbahce, Barry Ferguson told why Dundee is real Rangers acid test

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Derek Ferguson has stressed that his brother and Rangers interim manager Barry must emphasise the importance of beating Dundee on Saturday.

Rangers travel to Dens Park to face Tony Docherty’s side off the back of the March international break, when 11 of Ferguson’s first-team squad were out performing for their countries.

That followed two massive results in Europe and at Celtic Park. On the Thursday, Rangers squeezed past Fenerbahce on penalties to secure passage to the last 16 in the Europa League.

That was a fantastic night for Ferguson, the players and the fans at Ibrox – but they had to compose themselves for a massive Old Firm clash three days later.

And they did that tremendously. Rangers were by far the better side as Hamza Igamane’s late winner handed them three points and a first win at Parkhead since October 2020.

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Derek Ferguson and James McFadden on Dundee vs Rangers

Derek Ferguson, alongside his Open Goal co-pundit James McFadden, understand that winning the big games are important. However, winning at Dens Park this weekend is equally as important.

Rangers, particularly under Philippe Clement, were prone to losing the games they were expected to win – Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup being the most prominent example.

Now, according to Ferguson and McFadden, Rangers need to get themselves up for a different challenge against a Dundee side who are still on a high after their win in the derby versus rivals Dundee United.

Derek: “This will be a topper of a game. This is what Barry has got to emphasise. Look what you’ve done (against Celtic and Fenerbahce), you’ve set the standards. Now go out and do it again against a plucky Dundee team.

McFadden: “This is the one for Rangers. Every manager up until Barry has come in has done well in the big games, but these are the games that matter in terms of getting consistency.

Derek: “It’s getting that into them as a group as well, because you wonder about them. He’s got to get inside their head and say, ‘listen, I get the big games in Europe and against Celtic, but this is your bread and butter, go and show me something different.'”

Rangers recent record vs Dundee

Thankfully, for those Rangers fans wondering, the club’s record against Dundee over the last few years has been outstanding.

As mentioned, Rangers have endured a tendency to lose these types of fixtures, but they are unbeaten versus the Dee since November 2017.

However, the last two times Rangers failed to beat Dundee were extremely damaging. In January, the Light Blues drew 1-1 at Dens Park to fall further behind Celtic in the Premiership.

While last season, with Rangers still well in with a shout of winning the title, they went to Dundee on April 17 and played out a 0-0 stalemate.