Rangers

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"The minute you start to think that they've turned a corner and they've cracked it, they'll invariably let you down."

Is this a spot-on assessment of Rangers this season, despite a revival of sorts under Barry Ferguson?

The dramatic 4-3 weekend win over Dundee was a microcosm of the Ibrox side's season so far, showing their ability to score goals and look threatening in attack while highlighting their glaring defensive frailties.

"I think Barry Ferguson touched on it after the game, he mentioned bad habits coming back and I agree with him," Sunday Mail chief football writer Scott McDermott told the Scottish Football Podcast.

"He's not daft, he knows he's delighted with some of the results, but he knows the performances still aren't there."

Despite rallying from 3-1 down at Dens Park, many still aren't convinced by the mental fortitude of this Rangers side and whether they are able to find consistency.

McDermott added: "These players, they've been so up and down the last four or five years, the minute you start to think they've turned a corner and they've cracked it, they'll invariably let you down because I don't think mentally they're strong enough to go and win trophies and titles, I think that's been proved.

"So it's all a bit wild at the moment for Rangers. It's a bit of a rollercoaster ride with Barry Ferguson.

"Obviously, they've got the European tie coming up, but don't think for a minute that everything's turned round and everything in the garden is rosy."

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

After the derby win at Parkhead before the international break, I was hopeful Rangers would go up to Dens on Saturday and deliver a drama-free evening with a victory.

This is Rangers, though, and things don't happen like that. Seven goals, 12 Cyriel Dessers shots and a dramatic 93rd-minute winner after looking like a shambles for most of the game.

Last time I was at Dens we got a late winner under Giovanni van Bronckhorst from Connor Goldson. This time we get one from Dessers.

It's all fine and well winning a few games in that manner but we can't afford to start matches the way we have been doing.

It's all very lacklustre and lacking in control and intensity and when you throw in a goalkeeping howler it doesn't bode well.

However, those are things that can be and should be worked on this week prior to facing Hibs. David Gray's side are far better than Dundee and if we start like we did at Dens, the visitors have it in them to pull off a Motherwell-type result.

Where I will give the players credit is their ability to fight back and dig in. That's a massive improvement and that mentality needs to remain in the dressing room no matter who is in the dugout next season.

But for now, we have to try to win at Ibrox on Saturday and continue adding to the confidence before the Europa League quarter-final with Athletic Bilbao comes around.

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Red tape around 49ers Enterprises' proposed takeover for Rangers could be resolved by the end of April. (Record), external

Kasper Hjulmand, Sean Dyche and David Wagner are the latest names linked with the Rangers manager's job. (Scotsman - subscription required), external

Kris Boyd suggests former club Rangers should sign Celtic's Greg Taylor when the Scotland left-back, 27, becomes a free agent this summer. (Sun), external

Police Scotland has ended its investigation after Rangers winger Vaclav Cerny was filmed squirting water towards home supporters as he celebrated his side's winning goal at Celtic Park last month. (Herald - subscription required), external

Cerny, 27, will not face any police action. (Record), external

Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart is expected to hold a forum with supporters. (Glasgow Times), external

Meanwhile, Arsenal's Jason Ayto has been linked with a recruitment role at Rangers. (Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip column in full.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Cyriel Dessers' 100th Rangers appearance epitomised his time at the club. In fact, the striker might just epitomise the entire team and their season.

The Nigerian is unpredictable, but his character is unquestionable. This was again evidenced in an extraordinary seven-goal thriller at Dens Park.

Rangers fans in the away end would have been pulling their hair out as the forward passed up chance after chance, but Dessers would eventually send the visiting support into raptures with a dramatic 93rd-minute winner.

The strike marked his 45th goal in 100 games for the club. Only Kris Boyd (68), Alfredo Morelos (57) and Shota Arveladze (48) have netted more goals in their first 100 Rangers matches this century.

Dessers' winning moment in Dundee, a deft finish over goalkeeper Trevor Carson, was one of 12 shots he had in the game.

In the five other Scottish Premiership fixtures over the weekend, seven teams had fewer than 12 shots.

Excluding the strike he had ruled out for offside, nine of Dessers' efforts were on target, with all 12 of them coming from inside the box. Opta rated six of them as 'big chances'.

After being denied on almost every occasion, Dessers saved his goal for stoppage time, sealing an incredible three points for Barry Ferguson's men.

Mohamed Diomande (Rangers): A consistent performer in the middle of the park for Barry Ferguson's side. Offered so much offensively in a rollercoaster seven-goal victory away to Dundee.

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Rangers defender Ben Davies, currently on loan at Birmingham City, admits he will consider all his options in the summer (Daily Record), external.

Watch all the highlights as Rangers came from behind to beat Dundee 4-3 at Dens Park in the Scottish Premiership.

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Cyriel Dessers is "proud" to be among some of Rangers' 21st century greats when he made his 100th competitive appearance for the club.

The 30-year-old scored a dramatic late winner as the Ibrox club came from behind to beat Dundee 4-3 at Dens Park.

The strike marked his 45th goal in 100 appearances for the club, which ranks behind only Kris Boyd (68), Alfredo Morelos (57) and Shota Arveladze (48) for goals in their first 100 Rangers appearances this century.

"I had difficult times at this club, especially when I came in, but when you're amongst among these names I think you're doing something right," Dessers said.

"I know the people in the building see how hard I work in the gym, on the pitch, in training, and this is the reward so when you when you tell me this, that's a very nice thing to hear from you. These are big names in the history of this club."

Dessers has split opinion among Rangers fans, but his goalscoring feats are undeniable during a turbulent spell for the club.

"I know it has been two hard years for everybody with a lot of ups and downs," the Nigeria international added. "We have had some unbelievable moments in Europe and winning a League Cup, but we didn't get the big prize last season, which we all fight for, so got some stick.

"I think that's normal when you don't win the league at Rangers, but on a personal level to hear that [record] fills me with pride.

"Obviously I want more, I think the fans want more, the gaffer wants more so I'm working hard for that every day."

Rangers fans, we asked for your views after that dramatic win at Dens Park on Saturday.

Here's what some of you had to say:

William: Difficult game to watch as a Rangers supporter, far too many errors, however what an exciting match! I feel Cyriel Dessers is unfairly criticised by Rangers fans as he gives 100% every game. Jack Butland has to go as he makes far too many errors for a Rangers goalie.

Murray: Have to give credit to Barry Ferguson for making the changes but this team is a mess. I thought maybe Barry should get the job but not so sure now.

Ronnie: Incredible game, incredible result. Absolutely no way Rangers win that game under Philippe Clement. Barry rang the changes and the players rolled their sleeves up. Our three goals in the second half were brilliant. Yes defensively we were shocking and Dessers remains an enigma but we won the game and that's the main thing. Give Barry the job, he has us fighting for the jersey once again.

Sue: Rangers could easily have lost the game but somehow won it in a thrilling match. Butland proves yet again why he was never good enough at the top tier of football with a basic goalkeeping mistake plus he continues to slice the ball into touch when kicking out from his box. Ridvan Yilmaz's performance was laughable it was that bad. Credit to Dessers for his resilience but not the top striker that Rangers need.

Peter: Here's a simple tactical change, play the first third of the game like you play last third. Get that urgency and effort on the go as soon as the first whistle blows. Stop continually going on the back foot through complacency early doors. Simple! You can do it lads.

Ian: We will continue to have these rollercoaster games as the defence is a shambles. We have players like James Tavernier, Jefte and Yilmaz who are soft and cannot defend, John Souttar is our only decent centre-half. These players will ensure Barry will not be manager.

Allan: Yes we eventually got the win but not much has changed as far as I can see. Once again we showed our vulnerabilities and only the likes of James Tavernier tried to take charge and make a game of it. We need a manager with a winning track record who will bring back pride in the club and have us playing all in from the first whistle.

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• Dundee have lost 23 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, more than any other team.

• Dundee have conceded 14 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Ross County (17) and Hibernian (16) have conceded more in the Premiership this season.

• Simon Murray has scored five goals in his last five games in the Premiership, scoring 13 league goals this season.

• Dundee have scored 28 first-half goals in 31 games, only Celtic (42) and Rangers (29) have scored more in the Premiership this season.

• Rangers have won 12 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, only Kilmarnock (13) and Hibernian (13) have recovered more.

• Cyriel Dessers scored his 12th goal of the Premiership this season, more than any other Rangers player.

• The striker attempted 12 shots, the highest total for a single player a match in the Premiership this season.

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Rangers interim manager Barry Ferguson to Sky Sports: "Really happy with the three points, but I saw so many old habits creeping in. I'm not going to allow that to happen.

"We've got a full week now [to prepare] and that's something we'll look at. At stages of the game I was baffled.

"They showed character, though, they never gave in. I just felt when we got the goal to go 3-2 that we could get three points.

"They were warned you have to be physical and match your opponent and we never did that in the first half. I made changes, but I shouldn't have to.

"We can't be happy with the performance. I need to get to the bottom of it and I will get to the bottom of it.

"We need to sort a few things going forward before Hibs come to Ibrox.

"I felt towards the end, the momentum was with us and thankfully we got the winning goal.

"I felt Cyriel [Dessers] was unlucky with his chances. He gives you everything he's got. There are things he can improve, but he's up for it.

"I'm certain they would have lost it [a couple of months ago]. The guys are receptive, they understand parts of the game were way off what we expect.

"We rolled our sleeves up and got the result in the end."

Were you at Dens Park or following the match elsewhere?

Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say here.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Cyriel Dessers is bordering on being indescribable. He had 12 shots at Dundee, that is the highest total for a player in the Premiership this season.

All 12 of them were in the opposition box. Nine of them were on target. And that does not include his finish that was ruled out for offside.

The striker decided to save the one that counted for the 93rd minute. The best and the worst of the Nigerian was well and truly on show. Of course, he has to be more ruthless. But his character is admirable.

Overall, it goes without saying that Rangers, who looked vulnerable throughout, cannot continue going two goals behind. And it could have been worse, with Dundee's Scott Tiffoney putting a glorious chance wide and Oluwaseun Adewumi smashing a post.

But Ferguson has brought some resilience to this side, who have shown in recent games they are far better at responding to adversity.

Rangers "might have to settle" for a fee close to £10m if in-form midfielder Nico Raskin is sold this summer, reckons former Ibrox favourite Scott Arfield, who tells fans to "get realistic" about a potential price. (Daily Record), external

Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd is "unconvinced" a deal will be done to keep on-loan winger Vaclav Cerny at Ibrox, citing Abdallah Sima and Malik Tillman as examples of players who saw their values soar at the club, making them unaffordable. (Scottish Sun - subscription), external

Kris Boyd also says it is "incredible" that Rangers are obliged to pay Lens £3.5m for winger Oscar Cortes, urging his old club to back out of the deal if possible. (Scottish Sun - subscription), external

Manager Chris Davies has confirmed that Birmingham City will be looking to turn the loan deal for Rangers midfielder Kieran Dowell into a permanent transfer at the end of the season. (Birmingham Live), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

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Dundee's Ibrox-bound midfielder Lyall Cameron is an injury doubt, while Scott Fraser (groin), Antonio Portales (calf), Seb Palmer-Houlden (knee) and Clark Robertson (hamstring) are still out. Billy Koumetio is back in contention after three months out.

Rangers are set to remain without Neraysho Kasanwirjo (knee) and have "one or two" unnamed injury doubts.

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Neil McCann is hoping he'll remain as the last Dundee manager to beat Rangers when the sides meet at Dens Park on Saturday.

McCann, now part of the coaching staff at Ibrox, steered the Dark Blues to a 2-1 victory over Rangers back in 2017 on an emotional and "bittersweet" night for the former winger.

"I hope that'll be the same stat by the end of the game on Saturday night," McCann told Sky Sports.

"It was a funny one because my father had taken really unwell that day and I didn't think I was going to get to the game but my dad gave me the old 'Get to your work' stuff.

"It was bittersweet because he got to see me manage against Rangers, who I spent a great number of years with and he knew how much I loved them, but he knew how much I wanted to beat them as Dundee manager.

"It was brilliant to do that and go back and see him. That was probably the last night I got to spend with him, which is the bittersweet part.

"I hope [the record] it does last longer and I can hopefully play a part in that."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Interim boss Barry Ferguson won't be drawn on the "secret" of Rangers' transformation since he took charge, but goalkeeper Jack Butland may have given the game away.

The 'hairdryer' treatment when necessary has got the team back playing with a passion and energy that had gone missing, with everyone at the club now clear about standards and "what's expected" of a Rangers player.

Recent wins over Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce and Brendan Rodgers' Celtic have put smiles on faces at Ibrox and Butland gives great credit to the new interim management team of Ferguson and fellow former players Billy Dodds, Neil McCann and Allan McGregor.

"From the minute the guys came in, they were very conscious about getting results," the 32-year-old said.

"Very conscious about trying to make the environment and the energy right, which they have done.

"They've come in with big voices, big energy, big characters. When you've got that, it's very easy to follow that standard, to understand who they were, who they are as people, what they were as players.

"They've set a real standard for everybody, with no grey area. What's expected is what's expected and that's what's demanded all the time.

"It didn't take long, a few of the other lads might have been taken a little bit aback by some of the 'hairdryers' at times, but I guess it was what was needed and I think the boys have responded really well to it."

Such a good response that Rangers find themselves in a European quarter-final and licking their lips at the prospect of a third successive derby win over Celtic next month.

It all sent the players away into the international break, as Butland admits, with a real spring in their steps. And now they are determined to end the campaign with a flourish, starting with victory at Dundee on Saturday night.

"These games between now and the end of the season are an opportunity to give the fans something back and to give the group a way to finish the season on a high," added Butland.

"We need to go into the summer with some real momentum and positivity looking forward to next season.

"We've had lots of reasons and excuses and there are a lot of things to look back on at the end of the year as individuals, a group and a club to put right ahead of next year.

"But the best thing you can do with that is do it now, start trying to build something, start trying to nail down a culture and an expectation."

Rangers are tracking Maccabi Tel Aviv and Israel forward Dor Turgeman, 21. (Sport1 via Scottish Sun, external)

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

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