After the disappointment of the Old Firm game, there’s one reason Rangers should return to winning ways on Saturday.
The Gers take on Dundee at Ibrox in a must-win game. Defeat could see Steven Gerrard’s side slip to as many as 10 points behind Hearts in first place.
With a big disappointing result at Parkhead only just in the rear-view mirror, a win is simply a must at Ibrox.
Yet there’s a big stat that suggests there’s only one winner when Dundee pitch up in Glasgow next weekend.
Of the last 23 meetings between the sides, Dundee have won just two of them. Outside of that, it’s the Gers that have taken the spoils in 19 of the other meetings. You can view a list of previous meetings here.
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The numbers hugely favour Gerrard’s side in more than one way this Sunday. Dundee have only won twice at Ibrox since 1986. That’s 25 meetings in which Dundee have failed to get the better of the Ibrox side away from home.
Of course, recent matches against Dundee haven’t been too memorable. A couple of set-backs at Dens Park under Graeme Murty were forgetful moments, but those defeats were away from home.
It’s goals Rangers will be after on Saturday, and there’s no reason to suggest they won’t get them. The Ibrox club has netted in its last 20 meetings with the Taysiders. You have to go back to a home defeat to the Dees in 2001 for the last time the club failed to score against the Dens Park outfit.
The poor domestic start of Gerrard’s can’t be ignored. Despite Europa League qualification, it’s just one win in Rangers’ first four Premiership matches.
Added to that, the Rangers manager has several things to take into consideration for this one. The return of Lassana Coulibaly? Two strikers up top? Can he get more goals from midfield?
If ever there’s a fixture to boost morale, however, this is one you would strongly choose.