Rangers draw Dundee after late Tavernier penalty

Dundee secure a deserved point at Ibrox after a red card and a late Tavernier penalty, with focus turning to a Champions League playoff.

Rangers draw Dundee as Tavernier seals late penalty

Rangers needed a late penalty to salvage a 1-1 draw against Dundee at Ibrox after a tense, sometimes nervy match. The home side fielded the same starting XI that beat Viktoria Plzen in Europe, but their energy and fluency fell short in key moments while Dundee pressed aggressively. The visitors went ahead through Ryan Astley early in the second half, capitalizing on a momentary lapse and executing a precise header.

Nasser Djiga was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Finlay Robertson, leaving Rangers to chase the game with 10 men. James Tavernier converted from the spot late on after Drey Wright fouled Djedi Gassama, and Cyriel Dessers thought he had won it in stoppage time, only for a marginal offside to erase the goal. The result leaves Rangers with no win in their first two league matches for the first time since 1989 and shifts the spotlight to the Champions League playoff against Viktoria Plzen.

Rangers fans will want to see more consistency from a team led by Russell Martin. The performance suggested gaps in tempo and creativity, and Djiga’s red card highlighted a vulnerability in committing to the press when outnumbered. Yet the late equalizer offers a corrective moment, a reminder that resilience can still rescue games even when the night does not go to plan. The challenge now is to translate the character shown in the closing minutes into a higher-intensity start to matches, especially with a high-stakes European tie looming.

This result raises bigger questions beyond a single point. If Rangers want to progress in Europe while holding their domestic form, they will need a sharper attack, better link-up play, and a plan B when attacks stall. The Plzen fixture will test whether this stumble was a one-time dip or a signal of deeper issues in midfield and forward movement.

Highlights

The season is still young, and one result cannot write the story of a team.