Isn’t it so typically Rangers? To hammer Old Firm rivals Celtic at Ibrox but follow that up with successive draws as the gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership table extends to 15?
In fact, that Celtic shellacking is now Rangers’ only win in their last five Premiership matches.
To think, the Glasgow giants appeared to have turned a corner on the other side of Christmas, particularly while putting nine goals past Kilmarnock and Ross County in the space of only a few days.
But as first Hibernian and then Dundee shone a harsh light on those trademark deficiencies, Rangers are actually worse off now – in terms of the title race, if you can call it that – than they were before blowing Brendan Rodgers’ runaway leaders away in their opening fixture of 2025.
While everyone in a Rangers shirt performed to the peak of their powers against Celtic – Nico Raskin was ‘outstanding’ as Ridvan Yilmaz, Robin Propper and Jefte produced arguably their best performances in that blue shirt – there were certainly very few standouts at Dens Park.
Ridvan Yilmaz criticised as Rangers held to Dundee draw
Philippe Clement was full of praise for Rangers’ number three in his pre-match press conference.
Yilmaz’s emergence as a right-back, in the absence of James Tavernier, Dujon Sterling and Neraysho Kasanwirjo, had been a ‘very positive surprise’, the Belgian said.
There was nothing particularly positive about Yilmaz’s display at Dundee, however; another disappointing away day a classic case of one step forward, two steps back for both The Gers and their £3.5 million Turkey international.
“Ridvan Yilmaz has had a night to forget. It’s not been great,” Rory Loy, the former Rangers striker who spent two years at Dundee, tells BBC Sport.
“He is playing on the wrong side, but he’s made a few mistakes.”
Former Gers midfielder Andy Halliday defended Connor Barron earlier in the week after summer signing lost his place in Clement’s XI. And, as his influence waned on what was his first Premiership start since being hauled off at St Mirren on Boxing Day, Barron might have to get used to life back on the bench.
Hagi also struggled to exert his usual influence, with Clement calling upon the speedy Rabbi Matondo in the second-half.
“I thought Connor Barron had the bit between his teeth early on, but he faded as the game has gone on and Mo Sylla has got the better of him,” Roy adds. “It’s surely tactical for Matondo to come on. I don’t think Hagi played particularly badly, but this is just a game that suits Matondo.”
Josh Mulligan shines as Dundee star aces Rangers audition
While Vaclav Cerny cancelled out an early opener from Oluwaseun Adewumi, Loy feels that Rangers simply lacked the belief required to push for all three points. Clement’s outfit have won only three games away from home all season.
Dundee were without star midfielder Lyall Cameron due to injury. But, after Halliday urged Rangers to move for Josh Mulligan with his contract expiring in the summer, the all-action right-sider seized the chance to impress a club who may be on the lookout for additions on that flank with Yilmaz’s good form drying up.
“[Rangers] just need to prepare a squad, whether it’s depth, quality, line up players for the summer and try to do as much business as they can,” Halliday argues. “Two players I would sign right now; Lyall Cameron and Josh Mulligan. Honestly, I would sign the two of them.
“Mulligan is an athletic monster, I am signing him. I am signing the two of them on pre-contracts.
“[Director Nils Koppen] mentioned homegrown talent. See your Mulligans and Lyall Camerons, I’m not saying signing them is going to win Rangers the league. But see what [Luke] McCowan is doing for Celtic, get them two boys for proper squad depth, they will play games and do well for you.”
