Rangers boss Philippe Clement has criticised fans who forced the club’s Scottish Premiership clash with Dundee to be suspended due to the use of flares.
The Ibrox club’s fans set off the fire alarm at Dens Park as Rangers’ clash with Dundee was momentarily halted as the smoke billowed out onto the park.
Images and videos from the match show Rangers fans lighting up a multitude of flares in the Bob Shankly stand behind the Dundee goal in astonishing scenes in Scotland’s northeast.
Speaking after the game, Rangers boss Philippe Clement has criticised the supporters who lit the flares and claims the situation did not help the team.
As quoted by Rangers Review journalist Jonny McFarlane, Philippe Clement said:
“It’s not a good thing that we have to step inside. We broke our rhythm.”
Referee Kevin Clancy was forced to suspend the game after only two minutes and it came after a series of issues heading into the Scottish Premiership clash.
Adverse weather conditions caused by the impact of Storm Ciaran saw the Dundee surface subject to a late check before the game was given the go-ahead.
But the match was delayed by 45 minutes as heavy traffic in and around Dundee delayed the Rangers team arriving at Dens Park for the Scottish Premiership clash.
Rangers trounce Dundee against backdrop of flares and controversy
However, with the match eventually kicking back off without disruption, the chaos and flares around the game did little to impact a rampant Rangers at Dundee.
Ryan Jack had Rangers in front within moments of the restart before a four goal rout in the second half led to the Ibrox club defeating Dundee 5-0 on the night.
Brazilian striker Danilo netted his second goal in as many games to make it 2-0 before the under pressure Sam Lammers lashed in a long-range effort to make it 3-0.
Cyriel Dessers – another who has been heavily scrutinised as of late – made it 4-0 in controversial circumstances after Kevin Clancy appeared to block off a Dundee defender.
Rangers captain James Tavernier then scored his ninth goal of the season and the final goal of the match from the penalty spot after a VAR review awarded the Ibrox side a spot kick.
