Rangers

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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Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Interim manager Barry Ferguson has warned Rangers won't "rest easy" after beating Celtic and reaching the Europa League quarter-finals as he strives for further improvement.

Ferguson is proud that he's been able to add a steelier side to a Rangers team he felt had become far too "nice".

"I'm not going to sit here and kid anyone on - I thought we were far too nice. You can't be nice at Rangers at times," said Ferguson.

"When you step out on that park every single team wants to beat you and you need to stand up to that. Bar the Motherwell game at home, my group of players are starting to show the standards that are expected.

"There's still a bit of work to go, there's no doubt. We're not sitting here and thinking everything's perfect. It's far from that but they're certainly heading in the right direction.

"Change is difficult at times and they've shown me they're more than capable of being here and getting results. We need to continue that.

"We're not going to rest easy and think, 'It was a great 10 days, we got into the last eight in Europe'. That's a great achievement and then you go across to Celtic Park and everybody is expecting us to get beaten but I had every confidence in them.

"They now really understand what way we have to approach the rest of the games between now and the end of the season. "

The next hurdle to overcome is Saturday's trip to Dens Park, where Rangers have already dropped points this season.

"This is a challenge I'm looking forward to because, over the course of the season, games away from home haven't been up to the standard expected at Rangers," Ferguson added.

"We all know what Dundee did a couple of Sundays ago. They went across to Tannadice and were really good, they won the game convincingly, so I'm under no illusions as to what type of game it's going to be.

"Sometimes you need to dig deep to get results and that's maybe going to happen on Saturday."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Rangers head coach Barry Ferguson has been speaking to the media before his side's match against Dundee on Saturday evening.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• After Uefa punished Rangers with a suspended partial stadium closure, Ferguson says he echoes the strong message put out by the club, who condemned the banner and are in the process of banning the individuals responsible for life.

• He adds it would be a huge shame if the actions of a minority of supporters ended with the closure of the Copland Stand as the most important thing is that "fans stay inside the stadium".

• Ferguson revealed he had a "private chat" with forward Vaclav Cerny, who was filmed squirting water towards the main stand at Celtic Park after Rangers' late winner in the recent derby. That discussion will remain in-house but Ferguson wants his players and staff to celebrate goals and wins.

• With Cerny's loan period ending in the summer, and the club having an option to buy, Ferguson would "love to see him staying here" but declined to comment on whether he has any influence on plans for next season, or whether he would want the manager's job longer term.

• He reiterated his belief Rangers have been "too nice" this season but declined to reveal how he's managed to effect a change in mentality recently, simply saying: "That's my secret."

• He says the upturn in performance levels hasn't gone unnoticed within and outwith the club and the players "need to continue to turn up and produce performances. It's not all about nice, pretty football. They're starting to learn that. We were far too nice."

• The two key things for Ferguson? "Intensity and high standards." He accepts that "change is difficult" for players but feels they've done a great job responding to what he's asked them to do.

• On the prospect of facing Dundee in Saturday's late kick-off, Ferguson describes them as a good team, with a good manager, who were on a bad run until a "brilliant" performance and result at neighbours United in the derby.

• Ferguson accepts "games away from home haven't been to the standard expected" for Rangers this season and this weekend is a chance to start to put that right.

• On Nicolas Raskin, who has impressed for Rangers and made his Belgium debut last week, Ferguson says: "Nico has potential to play at the highest level - his best years are still in front of him. He has been top class for me but he needs to make sure he continues that and continues to produce performances."

• "One or two" players are doubtful for the trip to Dens.

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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When we asked you on this page last week for your Rangers player of the season so far, Nicolas Raskin was a popular shout.

The midfielder is now impressing for his country too. Over the international break Raskin made his Belgium debut off the bench then his first start in the Nations League play-off double-header against Ukraine, with many Red Devils fans heaping praise on the 24-year-old.

Raskin's international recognition comes after his elevation to Rangers mainstay - and former striker Rory Loy believes interim boss Barry Ferguson has been key to the player's stellar form too.

Speaking on the Scottish Football Podcast, Loy said: "To think he wasn't an automatic pick earlier this season is quite something.

"I think you have to give Barry Ferguson credit. I know it's only been a few weeks and I'm not saying he's the reason Raskin's in the Belgium squad, but that whole idea of driving standards, of instilling that little bit of belief and that winning mentality [is key]".

Raskin has played every minute since Ferguson took charge, proving to be particularly influential in their Europa League win over Fenerbahce.

"You've seen a side of him, and I'm not saying he never showed it under Philippe Clement, but the consistency he's shown with it since Ferguson has come in has been quite something," added Loy.

"So I do think he deserves credit in terms of the mental side of the game and then we already know he's got ability. He's shown that in abundance over the last three months.

"He's worn the armband which I think as well has probably boosted his confidence. On top of that he gets in the Belgium squad and he's contributing."

• Dundee are winless in their past 16 meetings with Rangers across all competitions (D3 L13) since a 2-1 league victory in November 2017 under Neil McCann.

• After winning four successive visits to Dundee in all competitions from 2021 to 2023, Rangers have since drawn both of their past two away games against the Dark Blues (0-0 in April 2024, 1-1 in January 2025).

• Dundee have failed to win any of their past seven home league games (D3 L4), this after winning three in a row beforehand.

• Having only won three of their first 11 away league games of the season (D4 L4), Rangers have won each of their past four matches on the road in the Scottish Premiership.

• Rangers have conceded 2+ goals in four successive league games for the first time since December 2005. They haven't do so in five league matches in a row since April 1986 under Walter Smith – a run that included a 2-1 loss at Dundee.

Rangers are running out of time to trigger a fee of around £5.5m for Czech winger Vaclav Cerny, who has impressed on loan from Wolfsburg. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.

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Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

What if the Scottish Premiership was decided on overperforming your expected goals (xG) rating?

You're rolling your eyes, aren't you? Fair enough, but the above graphic still paints an interesting picture.

In the second column you will see each team's current xG tally after 30 games, but the table is sorted based on the third column, which shows how much each side has overperformed or underperformed by.

For example, the chances leaders Celtic have created throughout the season suggests they should have scored around 77 goals, but Brendan Rodgers' side have surpassed that tally with an overperformance of almost 12 goals.

Remarkably, Dundee have overperformed their xG total of 34 by 11 goals. If Tony Docherty's side could sort out their defensive issues, it's safe to assume they wouldn't be fighting for survival.

It's the opposite for Kilmarnock, with their underperformance of 5.5 showing they have struggled to take their chances. Addressing that is key if Derek McInnes wants to pull his side away from the bottom.

Other underperformers include Hibernian, Dundee United and Ross County, while the remainder of the teams in the division appear to be fairly steady.

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Needing a game-winning goal in the Premiership this season? Vaclav Cerny is your man.

The 27-year-old Rangers attacker has six goals to his name that have won matches in the top flight, one better than Celtic's Nicolas Kuhn in second.

On-loan winger Cerny took a bit of time to find his feet at Ibrox but is now flourishing and is the league's best when it comes to winning a game.

Here are his crucial strikes:

• Matchday 2 (Home vs. Motherwell) – 24', made it 2:1.

• Matchday 7 (Home vs. St. Johnstone) – 34', made it 1:0.

• Matchday 9 (Home vs. St. Mirren) – 69', made it 2:1.

• Matchday 18 (Home vs. Dundee) – 46', made it 1:0.

• Matchday 23 (Home vs. St. Johnstone) – 20', made it 2:0.

• Matchday 26 (Away vs. Hearts) – 61', made it 1:2.

Lee McCulloch backs former Rangers team-mate Barry Ferguson to secure the Ibrox manager's job on a permanent basis following his current spell as interim head coach. (Record), external

Rangers winger Vaclav Cerny, 27, on loan from Wolfsburg, scored the Czech Republic's opener in Tuesday's 4-0 win over Gibraltar. (Sun), external

Dundee manager Tony Docherty would have no concerns about fielding Lyall Cameron against Rangers on Saturday evening, with the 22-year-old midfielder moving to Ibrox this summer. (Record), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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A takeover involving the San Francisco 49ers would be a game-changer for Rangers, says Scottish deal-maker Les Allan.

Allan claims he brought Andrew Cavanagh, who is also believed to be involved in the potential takeover, and the 49ers group together.

And he told The Warm-Up, external that Rangers fans "should be super excited" about the deal, which is expected to be completed in the coming months

Investment banker Allan revealed: "In the last few months, [Cavanagh] teamed up with the 49ers and that changes the game a little bit when you're starting to work with an organisation quite as established and at the very top table of the top sports in the world with the top commercial relationships.

"They own very serious professional sporting assets. When you look at how they run those assets, you're looking at a high degree of professionalism, top tier, top table commercial relationships and sporting acumen, that's what I'd expect to see.

"Rangers fans should be super excited, but as Scottish football fans; you've got to think, that's going to draw the eyes and the attention of other American sports owners at that level, and that's what's happened over a period with the Premier League in England."

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Thirty years on from the sudden death of Rangers icon David Cooper, former team-mates of the Scotland great have paid tribute, external to the Ibrox legend.

Cooper won 13 domestic honours during his time with Rangers and is regarded as one of the best to have played for the Govan club.

Former Rangers team-mate John Brown: "He was the one that had something different from everybody else, ability to beat his man for fun, drop the shoulder, make a pass nobody else could see.

"He went out there and played football the way everybody wants to see it played."

Former Scotland team-mate Roy Aitken: "He was a unique player. He had a natural talent. Humble guy, we both made our Scotland debuts together.

"You remember him as a unique talent but also someone who stepped up when it really mattered."

Former Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson says Rangers fans might need to be patient over the identity of their new permanent manager, given the protracted saga to appoint Daniel Farke at Elland Road by the San Francisco 49ers' group who are poised to take over at Ibrox. (Daily Record)

Former Rangers winger Ryan Kent is a free agent and was linked with a return to Ibrox but he looks set to finally end his football exile with a move to Seattle Sounders in Major League Soccer. (Daily Record)

Former Rangers boss Mark Warburton - now sporting director and head of soccer for new USL franchise Sporting Club Jacksonville - has pitched a cross-Atlantic partnership with Celtic. (Scottish Sun)

The US consortium leading the takeover of Rangers are planning a major upgrade of the club's training facilities at Auchenhowie. (Daily Record)

Former Rangers supremo Sir David Murray will lift the lid on his time at Ibrox in a new autobiography, 'Mettle'. (Scottish Sun)

Former Rangers supremo Sir David Murray will lift the lid on his time at Ibrox in a new autobiography, 'Mettle'. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Tuesday's gossip.