Tayside and Central

We asked for your views on Dundee’s 5-0 home defeat against Rangers.

Here’s what some of you said:

Alan: The Rangers supporters setting off flares was intimidatory for the Dundee players, this may have affected the team subconsciously. The match should have been abandoned and the points should have been awarded to Dundee.

Alister: In 64 years of going to Dens Park, I honestly can't remember a Dundee manager playing four centre-backs in a line in the back four, it was totally clueless tactics. Dundee has zero up front and this will cost us this season. As a pensioner with asthmatic problems, these numerous red phosphorus flares caused me health problems, but sadly nothing will be done.

Anon: Another howler from Trevor Carson that he didn't get away with isn't how you want to start a game. As Doc said, our season won't be decided on the outcome of the Old Firm games, but we should be having more of a go at them.

Dundee have launched an investigation into "unacceptable actions in the stands" at Wednesday night's home defeat by Rangers.

The game was paused for nearly 20 minutes after pyrotechnics in the Rangers end sent smoke billowing across the stadium and triggered a fire alarm, leading to the players being taken off the pitch.

Dundee say they are working with the authorities over issues including flares and sectarian singing.

The statement said: "Dundee Football Club are investigating and working with the relevant authorities after a series of unacceptable actions in the stands at last night’s match at the Scot Foam Stadium at Dens Park against Rangers.

"Despite robust practice by all clubs in the SPFL and the SFA at Hampden, flares, offensive banners and singing of sectarian songs continue to be a problem all across Scottish football.

"As we are working with the authorities we are unable to comment on the situation at this time. The club will comment further once the ongoing investigation has taken place and concluded.

Image source, SNS

The SPFL says it will liaise with Police Scotland over the "very concerning and unwelcome" use of pyrotechnics by Rangers fans at Wednesday night's game against Dundee.

The match at Dens Park, which Rangers won 5-0, had to be halted for 18 minutes in the opening stages when flares engulfed Den Park in smoke, setting off a fire alarm and forcing the players off the pitch.

A spokesperson for the SPFL said: “The extensive use of pyrotechnics at the match at Dens Park is very concerning and unwelcome.

"The disruption to the game is obviously extremely regrettable. We await the delegate report and will be liaising with Police Scotland on the incident.”

Dundee fans, were you at Dens to watch your side's heavy defeat to Rangers, or were you following along from home?

Either way, we want your thoughts on the game. Have your say here.

Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "I want to make sure that never happens again. I was really disappointed - if you're losing 2-0, keep it 2-0 don't lose three, four, or five.

"I can't be too hard on the boys because they have been fantastic. We've had healthy home form and we've been competitive in every match. Tonight, things just ran away from us.

"The Old Firm have the quality when they get their tails up , to pick you off and that's what happened tonight."

Asked if he thought the game might be postponed Docherty said: "I did because it got to the stage it was such a delay and such a problem in terms of preparation. Then what happened with the pyros it's difficult getting it again.

"But I've got an honest group of boys who won't make that as an excuse because it's the same for both teams.

"But when I see a performance I haven't seen from my team this year, maybe there's a reason for it.

"When it gets to the stage when you almost get a game abandoned, I think action has to be taken.

"I did think at that stage after speaking with the police, and the fire alarms were going off, I did think the game was going to be postponed."

Docherty says he received an explanation from the fourth official about the fourth goal, where referee Kevin Clancy blocked Luke McCowan, before Rangers went up the pitch and scored.

He says the referee has to actually touch the ball for play to be stopped.

Thomas Duncan, BBC Sport Scotland

As for Dundee, Carson's error put them on the back foot immediately which is exactly what teams want to avoid against the Old Firm.

They managed to put some pressure on Rangers in flurries, with goalkeeper Jack Butland denying Amadou Bakayoko twice after he fashioned a free header and pounced on a rebound from McCowan's shot.

The attitude was good and they kept going, but in the second half it became a struggle. Still, this is only their third league defeat and the others came against Celtic and third-place St Mirren.

It's been a solid start to life back in the Premiership for Tony Docherty's side, who sit ninth in a tightly packed table.

Dundee boss Tony Docherty makes three changes from the win over Livingston for the visit of Rangers.

Jordan McGhee, Lyall Cameron, and Zak Rudden drop the bench as Ricki Lamie, Amadou Bakayoko, and Scott Tiffoney come into the XI.

We expect there to be a delay to kick-off at Dens due to the Rangers team bus being held up in traffic.

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Dundee are "optimistic" that tonight's game with Rangers will go ahead despite heavy rainfall.

A statement from the club said: "Dundee are currently monitoring the weather conditions due to the recent heavy rainfall.

"As it currently stands the club are optimistic that this evening’s match against Rangers will go ahead as planned.

"If there are any updates or changes regarding tonight’s match the club will update supporters through the club website and social media channels."

Dundee's home match with Ross County early last month was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

Image source, SNS

• Dundee have lost their last six meetings with Rangers in all competitions by an aggregate score of 14-1 since a 1-1 draw in December 2018. Their last win over the Ibrox side came in November 2017 under Neil McCann.

• Rangers have won 19 of their last 20 Scottish Premiership games against newly promoted teams (D1 – 1-1 vs Hearts in October 2021) since a 1-0 defeat to Livingston in September 2018. They have won their last 10 such matches played away from home.

• Dundee are unbeaten in four Scottish Premiership matches (W1 D3), their longest run without defeat since December 2018 – also four matches consisting of three draws and one win.

• Rangers are the only team to have not drawn any of their opening 10 matches of the Premiership season (W7 L3).

• Since the start of the 2020-21 season, James Tavernier has created the most chances in the top flight (311). Tavernier has also created the joint most chances - alongside Kilmarnock's Daniel Armstrong - this season with 30.

Tyrone Smith, BBC Sport Scotland

They say the key to a successful season starts with taking care of your home games.

Well, so far, Dundee are unbeaten in the Premiership on their own turf, with a record of one win and three draws.

While it is perhaps too early to refer to Dens Park as a fortress, opposition teams certainly appear to be finding it a difficult place to come and plunder all three points.

Tony Docherty will hope that continues tonight against a Rangers side who will fancy their chances of victory.

Yes, it is a stern challenge against the blue half of the Old Firm, but Dundee are taking decent form into the game.

They’re unbeaten in four league outings and will feel in fine fettle after a solid 2-0 victory at Livingston last time out.

Before a ball had been kicked this term, Dundee would have bitten your hand off to be in the top half after nine games – but that is exactly where Docherty’s side find themselves.

And having got into such an impressive early position, the one thing you can be sure of is that Dundee will fight tooth and nail to ensure they stay there.

Dundee are looking to stun Rangers tonight and continue their upward trajectory in the top flight.

Put yourself in Tony Docherty's shoes and pick your Dark Blues XI here.

Dundee boss Tony Docherty is hoping Malachi Boateng shrugs off a knock while Josh Mulligan (hernia) remains out.

Midfielder Nicolas Raskin (ankle) and defender John Souttar (muscle problem) are added to the Rangers injury list.

Borna Barisic, Kemar Roofe, Dujon Sterling and Rabbi Matondo remain out along with Tom Lawrence, although the latter has returned to training following a calf problem.